Career Confection: Break Room Etiquette

So many times our break room manners go right out of the window when we’re blinded by hunger or in desperate need of steaming hot coffee. But most times, we’d like to throw those rule-breakers out of that same window (because it’s never us, it’s always “them,” right? )

The next time you get frustrated or need a re-fresher on office-kitchen politeness, just remember to smile and “wave”:

Walk away when gossip comes out to play. You don’t want to be labeled as one of the big mouths. It usually backfires. And, if you really need to vent, leave the break room and walk away to your co-worker confidante’s cube.

Always make sure you know how to work the coffee machine. This will save you in emergency situations when you have to come in at some odd hour for some odd reason or when the majority of the office is on summer vacay (including that one guy who ALWAYS refills the coffee machine at 7 a.m. – can you tell this has happened to me before?)

Very kindly remember to butter toast/bagles etc… AFTER putting them in the toaster. Don’t know if you have this problem in your office, but I can’t tell you how many times jelly and other spreads get smeared on the communal toasters. On that note, remember to clean the microwave if your Lean Cuisine explodes, and always cover your microwavable dishes with at least a napkin. If that doesn’t stop the spillage, remember to wipe down the microwave after it’s your turn.  Lastly, don’t just grab out of communal bags of chips and such with your hands. Use a cup. It lessens the spread of germs that will suck up your PTO time if you get sick. And, clean your food out of the fridge each Friday. You don’t want to be responsible for a science experiment living in the office refrigerator.

Eat what’s yours and ONLY yours. And, when your company buys lunch for the office, take some of the leftovers and save it in the fridge for lunch the rest of the week.

TELL ME: Can you think of any other rules/tips for the break room?