So, I’m enjoying my favorite morning show on KISS 92.5 on the drive into work this morning… when Roz brought up what happened when he sent Maurie on a coffee run.  This topic really resonated with me as I too have had my own dilemmas with the office coffee run. So what is appropriate and what isn’t?

Well it certainly is not appropriate for someone to take your $20 and treat themselves to a coffee, breakfast and a snack on your dime. Just to bring you back your coffee and some coins.  This was the scenario Roz found himself in. He offered Maurie to treat himself to a coffee as he was doing him a favor. Maurie came back with a Chai Tea Latte, a protein box and a slice of banana bread! That quickly added up to $17! Roz’s coffee was only $3 at most, Maurie thought it would be cute to pitch in $5 for his $17 picnic… Damnit Maurie! That was NOT OK! 

In my experience a colleague asked me to grab her a Chai Tea Latte (ironically) from Starbucks as well. This is why this conversation hit home with me this morning and I was laughing so hard at the situation. In my case when I approached her for the money, she started searching through the bottom of her purse for change. She came up with $2 in nickels and dimes then responds sorry I know it’s more than that, but that’s all I have do you mind? Yes, I mind because I wasn’t going there to begin with, I had already stopped for my coffee in the morning. Now, not only am I going out of my way to do a coffee run for you, I’m short changed too. -Not appropriate!

I’ve had another colleague ask, “Hey when you go on lunch can you grab me a coffee?” So, lunch rolls around, I go up to him and ask what he wanted. He writes down Double Double with a shot of caramel and I’m standing there awkwardly waiting for the money… when he realized his response was either “oh I don’t have any change though” or “I’ll get you next time” (Yes, it happened on more than one occasion). He had also done the, *sigh* “I guess I have to give you my bank card” routine. -Not appropriate!

Please refrain from doing that folks, it makes your colleague feel guilty for running out to get “your” coffee with “your” money. For the record, I have no problem going out and doing a coffee run! My message for the repeat offenders, please just mind your manners and be respectful of other’s circumstances.

The take away of Coffee Run Etiquette:

• Do remember that your colleague is also trying to make a living, so please be mindful of putting them out. If you don’t have the money for your share, kindly pass.
• If your colleague is treating you, don’t abuse their kindness, keep your beverage order to equal or less than the value of their order.
• You are not required to; but adding to the above note, be thoughtful and reciprocate by getting the next one.
• We all have different traditions and customs; basic etiquette is not so common. However, kindness is a two-way street so treat others the way you want to be treated.

Have you found yourself in a coffee run dilemma of your own? Please share in the comments!