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AIBU?

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Original poster

Making coffee in work- non drinker

439 replies

Winchester89 · 14/08/2018 14:59

Right, started a new job couple of months ago. I love it, everyone's really nice. I'm the admin assistant for a small team of 4 other people.
Anyway- I don't drink tea or coffee. Therefore have never offered to make anyone any as I really hate doing it and don't think I should if I'm not also drinking it! Couple of the team made some subtle comments that I've just ignored or laughed off.
So today- my manager is on her way out to a meeting with other team member - mug in hand goes- oh we were just saying we should get you making coffees!
I replied automatically 'not happening' and laughed. And she looked taken aback by it and then carried on to the meeting.
Am I being unreasonable in not wanting to become the tea lady for the team considering I don't even make the stuff for myself!?

OP posts:
HoleyCoMoley · 14/08/2018 15:01

I would do it occasionally if they were all really busy but otherwise they can make their own, once you start you'd be expected to do it all the time and be left with the washing up and buying biscuits.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 14/08/2018 15:02

I think it depends. Definitely not unreasonable to avoid making hot drinks for the team as a general thing. However as an admin assistant I often made hot drinks for meetings.
I think 'not happening' was a bit rude, but we all say things without thinking sometimes.

Tulipsinbloom · 14/08/2018 15:03

As a fellow non tea or coffee drinker I agree, but you might have been a bit rude to your manager

Passthecake30 · 14/08/2018 15:05

If I was the lowest grade memeber in a team I'd expect to have to have to make tea if people came in for specific meetings, from external companies.

PatchworkElmer · 14/08/2018 15:05

Not sure tbh. I also don’t drink tea or coffee, but when in support roles, I have offered to make them for senior members of staff. Usually once, for the first cup of the day.

FuckPants · 14/08/2018 15:06

I don't drink tea or coffee, I don't make it for my husband or guests and I certainly wouldn't make it for work colleagues.

You might have been a bit rude though.

TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme · 14/08/2018 15:09

Make it once so badly they never ask you again?

Original poster
Winchester89 · 14/08/2018 15:10

Yeah my reply was just so automatic so I will apologise.
It was a one to one with another colleague. I always arrange tea/biscuits for big meetings etc. Just don't want to be making them throughout the day when they are perfectly capable of doing so themselves. I am just as busy as they are, just doing different things.
Normally they make them for each other when making their own.

OP posts:
Original poster
Winchester89 · 14/08/2018 15:10

@TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme
Haha- this is my dads philosophy on life and made me chuckle!

OP posts:
JacquesHammer · 14/08/2018 15:10

I think it depends. If you’re all in a team and offer to get drinks for each other, then yes - you should take your turn.

Is it part of your job description to get refreshments for meetings etc? If not, then no you shouldn’t be asked to.

lolaflores · 14/08/2018 15:12

Basic standard of courtesy to those around you to put yourself out a touch once in a while.
Your response to your manager smacks of you being a bit of a madam who seems herself above an act of unselfishness. It's not lime they are forcing you to drink coffee or tea

TwoBlueShoes · 14/08/2018 15:13

I don't think admin includes teas and coffees throughout the day. They can get their own drinks.

Original poster
Winchester89 · 14/08/2018 15:13

Yes I would agree, expect as I don't drink it no one offers to make me a water/juice when they're doing their coffees.

OP posts:
molehill79 · 14/08/2018 15:13

I used to hate feeling like I had to make rounds of drinks when I never was part of other people's rounds! People get so funny about it. YANBU but maybe try and make your point in a gentler way!

Ohyesiam · 14/08/2018 15:14

Offer to do it once, use cheap substitutes and never be asked again!

Scabetty · 14/08/2018 15:15

I agree with you. If you want to offer when getting a cold drink for yourself then far enough but it shouldn’t be your job. If a rota was introduced I would take my turn though and they would have to take their chances with my gnat’s wee tea Wink

EthelThePiratesDaughter · 14/08/2018 15:16

Make the tea/coffee and do it so badly they never ask you again.

"Oh sorry, I don't drink hot drinks myself so I don't really know if I'm doing it right!"

Grin
SerenDippitty · 14/08/2018 15:16

No one is expected to make drinks for other staff members where I work, occasionally a big cafetière will be made but then everyone helps themselves. Visitors are a different matter.

Glumglowworm · 14/08/2018 15:16

Turn taking should only be between people who actually drink tea or coffee ffs! It’s never OPs turn because she doesn’t, so doesn’t benefit when others do it!

You should probably remind them you dont drink when you refuse though, that only the most stupid think you’re being awkward

ShumpaLumpa · 14/08/2018 15:17

Admin assistants don't make tea/coffee, PAs do, and just for their boss and her/his visitors.

OP, YANBU. They know you don't drink tea or coffee so to expect you to make it for them is being cheeky and entitled.

OftenHangry · 14/08/2018 15:18

Are you 100% positive they are aware you don't drink tea or coffee??
This might have been actually a bit of a push from their side to join into the "we are makin cuppas for each other" things thinking you make one just for yourself.

ShumpaLumpa · 14/08/2018 15:19

I think it depends. If you’re all in a team and offer to get drinks for each other, then yes - you should take your turn.

But OP doesn't drink tea or coffee so there is no turn to take.

And I think she would prefer to get her own water if it meant having to make tea for 4 others.

DMF1305 · 14/08/2018 15:19

Actually I don't think you are being unreasonable. I also don't drink any hot drinks at all and I always make it clear to my colleagues that as I only drink water I wouldn't expect them to get me a drink and in return I don't make hot drinks for anybody else.

Obviously I do say it politely and to be fair they all think it's perfectly reasonable and have never once made any comment regarding me making them a drink.

In fact, they all just make their own usually, although they do occasionally offer if we're all busy, but some people seem to drink a lot more than others, so I think it makes more sense to just make your own anyway otherwise you might end up having 3 mugs of coffee going cold on your desk just because everyone is taking turns and making everybody a drink every single time.

FourAlarmFire · 14/08/2018 15:20

I would be honest with your boss and say that you never drink it yourself so don’t want to do it wrong. But then maybe offer to have a go and hope someone takes pity on you and gives you a hand! If you don’t explain why you haven’t been making drinks they might assume you think you’re too important to do basic tasks and that won’t do you any favours career-wise.

DameFanny · 14/08/2018 15:20

Big cheery smile and a "I'd make it but I might be sick in it - coffee gives me headaches" would do the trick?

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