Steeped in quirkiness

Every workplace has its own culture — you know, what makes your office distinctly different, including the rules you follow to get along with everyone.

Richard's away? Maybe we can just put those boxes in his office ...

I was thinking about office culture this morning when I walked in and glanced at Richard’s office. See, the boss (that’s him) is in Europe for a couple of weeks. Yesterday, we received an enormous UPS shipment of tea, and the boxes were crowding out our reception area.

So of course, by the time I got in this morning, most of those boxes had been moved into his office — the biggest space in here with the fantastic view of the Roaring Fork River. That’s the sort of he’s-gone-so-let’s-use-his-space-as-temporary-storage move that happens in most workplaces, I think.

So I decided to compile a few facts about office culture at two leaves and a bud that you might not know (and I’m hoping that you might, in fact, care).

1. Always refill the electric kettle when it’s empty, or risk being shamed in front of everyone.

2. Don’t slurp tea out of the same mug as everyone else during a tea tasting if you’re sick, or have a sick kid at home.

3. The radio station that’s on in the office is the same that’s playing on our hold music. So while we love KDNK, the public station out of Carbondale, Colo., watch out for those young volunteer DJs who play rap. It can be fun to listen to while working, but possibly not as pleasant for those who are on hold.

4. Speaking of KDNK, we love listening to Cowboy Randy on Friday mornings, who tells us each show how many more days are left until Christmas. (Last Friday: 75.)

Our elephant-shaped teapot cozy. Never in use.

5. There’s a teapot cozy, shaped like an elephant, that’s been around the office for a while. Since Richard’s not here, I can’t give you the back story (and my coworkers don’t seem to know), but it’s clear he got it on one of his travels. It doesn’t cover a teapot, it doesn’t have a name, and it just sits on a shelf looking pretty. If I was going to cover up a teapot, I’d probably choose this elephant for the job.

6. We’re surprisingly good at sharing food around here. Bring extra lunch, and you’re one of the gang.

7. Humor is always welcome, like when Gigi pointed out her September calendar page when I first started blogging for this company on Sept. 1:

Touché, Gigi.

I guess I should say, I hope she was being funny.

8. Visitors always welcome for a cuppa tea. Stop by and meet us, okay?

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