Making coffee in work- non drinker

[Winchester89]

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!?

Leftright and sadly that one group is often mostly made up of women.

This thread alone shows why these attitudes remain.

sunsun

How much coffee was being consumed on that office?

Was someone nicking money?

The whole idea of having to make tea or coffee for everyone in the office every time you want one yourself sounds daft to me. I've never worked anywhere where that was the norm.

This is insane!!

Providing support doesn't mean making hot drinks, it means dealing with tasks which contribute to them doing their job.

If I need information to submit a project brief then I'll request it from the admin team. If I'd like a spreadsheet to show something, I'll ask the admin team. Same for things like data entry, sending invoices etc.

If I want a hot drink then I'll go and make one. Our admin team are busy. Our management team all have our offices on the same floor, with the admin team sat outside. We're all in and out at different times and we grab a brew as we pass the kitchen coming in from meetings.

I am the only woman in my department and have always made a point of not being the one to feed and water everyone.

@Pluckedpencil

But I never wanted to be the CEO. I do the job I want. It was you who was being demeaning there.

I can't be doing with the attitude that the junior person, or the last one in, makes the teas and coffees. I don't drink tea or coffee, can't even bear the smell of the stuff at times, yet many moons ago I had to make it twice a day for the whole bloody office. It was a petty, hierarchical thing to make sure the junior knew their place and smacked of laziness. I'm with you, OP!

Whatwould you're an EA not an admin so making tea may be part and parcel of your role?

Having said that, my boss is very senior (on 300k pa) and he never asks his EA to get him drinks.

Definitely shouldn’t be making coffee/tea on demand for the team. I hate that and think it’s so old fashioned even if you’re a PA/junior, whatever. However I would probably say something like ‘going to get a juice/water does anyone want anything?’. We do this in our office. Two members of staff don’t like hot drinks, so you get them squash instead. I think it’s polite. That shouldn’t turn into you making it all the time it should be in turns really. Probably did come across a little abrupt to your manager but, “we should get you making coffees” certainly sounds like you doing it for everyone so I wouldn’t be pleased about that either.

No. No no no! I've never made drinks for the team even now that I drink my fair share. When I didn't drink coffee I wouldn't have dreamed of making it for others. Why should you stop what you're doing to make drinks for everyone else then sit down with nothing for yourself?

Would you do it at home? Offer to make tea or whatever for your partner if you weren't for making something for yourself?

You're not their teasmaid.

@ShumpaLumpa

If you are going to cut and paste my posts, at least cut it ALL, not just a bit of it that enables you to make a sarcastic retort.
I said

a drinks machine where everyone helps themselves sounds fab.

But the point is the OP came across as obnoxious and rude and arrogant, and not a team player. Very poor behaviour. Can't see her colleagues warming to her after this.

Don't just cherry pick bits of peoples posts to suit your agenda.

I am honestly not worried about not fitting in by not making others hot drinks. They are not those type of people.

Well, they've made a number of hints that you need to start doing this so you could have read them wrong.

@shumpalumpa

And looking at your last post on the previous page, you appear to be jumping on the 'let's bully, stalk, and mock katielouise3' bandwagon along with @Winchester89, and @leftrightandcentre. So I am also not engaging with you anymore either.

See ya!

@katielouise3 And looking at your last post on the previous page, you appear to be jumping on the 'let's bully, stalk, and mock katielouise3' bandwagon along with @Winchester89, and @leftrightandcentre. So I am also not engaging with you anymore either.
*
See ya! * 

Can you kindly point out where I have bullied you please?

Teas and coffees are not essential to the running of the business, unlike note taking, photocopying etc. For that reason, unless it was in my job description, I wouldn't be making anyone tea or coffee as I also don't drink either.

Nowhere on my job description does it say 'make tea and coffee'. But to be honest, I'm not precious. I'm really secure in what I do. It's a pleasant thing to make a cup of tea for a colleague. It doesn't break my spirit on the wheels of capitalism. I don't sit there thinking about my wasted degree or gender inequality. Got shit to do.

I have a great job which I worked hard to get after I graduated from a technical and niche academic subject. Which I studied for pleasure. But thank you to the poster who worries I have brought great shame to the Sisterhood by not being the CEO.

I work mostly with men who also make tea and coffee. It's a modern company. I don't make for my CEO, but then he doesn't want it. I would if he did want it. But I would never in my life abruptly tell my boss something 'wasn't happening'. And I'm never on the receiving end of snide remarks because although I'm not the CEO, I have his authority because he trusts me. And that is why I like my job.

Brew, anyone?

Brew? I'm bloody gaggin'

What took you so long?

Great post @whatwouldkeithrichards do!

I know. I'm indolent. Had to change the toner too. 🤣

You change the toner - but I usually lower the tone(r)

@TornFromTheInside

Come and sit next to us gals in the typing pool. I'll give you one of those naice biscuits I keep in my drawer to make meeting rooms look pretty. 😃

+consults his book of classic lines+

But, but... you make the room look so pretty already!

It's jaffa cakes or nothing, how cheap do you think I am!

torn and keithrichards I will make you a lovely big pot of filter coffee and bring it to you with some jaffa cakes and boaster biscuits!. YUM