STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Making coffee for other people should NEVER, EVER be part of someone's office job.  I mean, think about it:  it does nothing to further the pursuits of the company.  It just makes one person feel demeaned and contributes to the laziness of someone else.  You should be spending your time doing things that help the company make money.  Answering the phone and stuffing envelopes sucks, but at least you can clearly see how these things help the company.  Asking someone to make coffee is just crossing the line.  I think the "if you take the last cup of coffee, make some more" is the best way, even though some lazy people take the last cup and don't refill. 

I would take a quick trip to your local drugstore and buy some laxatives and put it in their coffee.  Okay, I probably wouldn't do that, but I would just say no.  If your boss says something about you saying no, call  your employment agency and ask for a new assignment.  I, of all people, understand how hard it is to find a job, but jobs like the one you are in are a dime a dozen.

Nylabelle, that's it.  Leave.  Right now.  I'm dead serious. 

NylaBelle wrote:

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Andrea Julia wrote: Nylabelle, that's it.  Leave.  Right now.  I'm dead serious.  Really? Just walk out? I would, but I need the money. I took off on Friday.  I'm calling the agency on my lunch break.  What pisses me off most is that the same agency that I came from just placed someone in a position downstairs that I know I could do.  I really don't think that they will ever promote me b/c they don't like to hire people for my position b/c it's tough to fill (no one wants to do it and people quit quickly).  I have to get out of here, no question about that!

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Yup, that's what I meant.  I'm not really sure what other options there are.  You could either smile and make their coffee and deal with the demeaning way you are being treated or you can keep your dignity and leave.  Your co-worker just walked a freakin' coffee pot to your desk.  Now, to me, that speaks volumes.  It isn't just a laziness issue because he was not too lazy to walk all the way to your desk, it is a power issue.  Maybe walking out isn't the best solution, but I don't think you should go there even one more day either.  Talk to your boss, talk to the agency...see what they have to say.  Maybe your boss will just say absolutely not, you should not being making people coffee, and she will talk to this guy and it won't happen again.  I think your agency should be able to place you someplace else, even if it is just a string of super-temporary (like 2 weeks) assignments until they find you something else permanent.  From what I remember from my agency days, as long as I was willing to take temp assignments, they always had something for me. 

Oh my god, I can't believe that guy walked the empty pot up to your desk!!!  What an ass!  And, I agree with Andrea Julia that because he brought it up to you, even though he's close to the coffee maker shows that this is a power struggle for him. 

Don't make the coffee for him.  Talk to your supervisor at your job, and talk to the people at your agency about it too.  Making coffee for someone else is ridiculous and you shouldn't have to do it.  I don't know what to tell you about just walking out--obviously, it would make you feel better, but its tough when you need a paycheck and walking out on a job is a baaaaaaaaaad thing on a resume. 

I hope your day gets better!  Is there anyone in your office about your age that you can commiserate with? 

I would not walk out.  You need to empower yourself to change your environment and find something else first.  Plus, if you are in advertising/marketing, you need to be careful about your attitude (even if it's justified) word gets around from agency to agency.

Back in the day, I was hired as an assistant property manager. On my first day, I was shocked to be asked to fetch coffee (I quickly learned I was expected to have it made in the morning and fetch cups for my boss on demand).  I was so freaking furious... But instead of refusing and making my life more difficult, I killed him with kindness "oh, absolutely! right away!" and when I would go get the coffee I would do this stupid flying ballerina stride to the coffee (he couldn't see me) - like I was so fucking pleased to fetch, as my existence could only be validated by performing menial tasks to cater to a man's comfort...

anyhoo... I fetched coffee with a syrupy disposition until I found another job.  I also contacted the company that owned the building and informed them that my boss (the property manager of the building) had been renting out offices that were listed as unoccupied and pocketing the money for himself

revenge is sweet (not that I'm suggesting revenge - just sharing my story )

Ugh. Jerks.

Good luck on Thursday!

When I was in high school one of my mean teachers used to make myself and a friend of mine make her coffee so we started using toilet water to make it.  I still smile about that whenever I think of her teaching to us drinking her toilet water coffee:).

Cheer up - some jobs suck, but you'll make it through.  Good luck!