# What personal items are at your desk or workspace? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 9, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527 "2018-02-09T17:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/41 "2018-02-11T17:46:17Z")
Hmm… let’s see. They like to move our desks around so I tend to not accumulate too much stuff so I don’t have to pack it up again in a few months. Picture of my nieces Candy dispenser Stress ball Dalek figurine (how I find out who else in the office is a Whovian, others have asked me why I have a little trash can on my desk) Water bottle Calendar A couple of magnets on my file cabinet ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/42 "2018-02-11T20:07:58Z")
I almost forgot my mug - my wife got it for me on a trip to D.C. It’s covered with slogans/logos from various Presidential campaigns through the years (e.g. All the Way with Adlai; Reagan: Let’s make America great again; Clinton, a cure for the blues; Au H2o '64) ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/43 "2018-02-12T01:34:35Z")
I’ve been here for almost 7 years now and I have a decently sized office, so I’ve accumulated a lot of crap. [ul] A bunch of pictures of family and postcards on my bulletin board[/ul] [ul]A lacquer box of paper clips and binder clips[/ul] [ul]A pottery cup for pens[/ul] [ul]An encyclopedia I helped edit[/ul] [ul]A Willie McGee bobblehead[/ul] [ul]Several plants, most of which I inherited from coworkers[/ul] [ul]A marble (art exhibit souvenir)[/ul] [ul]Many snacks[/ul] [ul]Books from grad school[/ul] [ul]A basket with a turtle on the lid from Indonesia[/ul] [ul]A carved board from American Samoa[/ul] [ul]Framed photos from places I’ve traveled[/ul] [ul]A drawer full of shoes [/ul] ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/44 "2018-02-12T05:01:00Z")
I have four [Art Cube souvenirs](http://www.firenzemuseistore.com/en/prodotto/6-games/8/art-cube) from various museums; they’re 2x2 cubes that unfold in multiple ways to show multiple pictures. The ones I have are: - art treasures of Florence (as seen in the hyperlink above) - art of the Rijksmuseum - works by Pieter Breugel the Elder - works by Van Gogh I also have my **vi** reference coffee mug. ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/45 "2018-02-12T11:00:12Z")
[ul] [li]Photo of my husband and me[/li][li]Another photo of my husband[/li][li]Little Doctor Who mini[/li][li]Rubber duck[/li][li]Two shooting paper targets[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![edwardcoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cab0a1/32.png) [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/46 "2018-02-14T04:39:24Z")
None. It’s unprofessional to decorate your work area like its your personal bedroom. People who do that aren’t taking seriously at work. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/47 "2018-02-14T05:50:16Z")
I forgot: I also have one of those Chinese money frog doohickeys on my desk. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/48 "2018-02-14T11:20:55Z")
> [@edwardcoast](#): > > None. It’s unprofessional to decorate your work area like its your personal bedroom. People who do that aren’t taking seriously at work. Why would anyone wanna be taken seriously at work? You’re stuck there X hours a day, let your hair down. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/49 "2018-02-14T12:12:48Z")
A fossilized belemnite phragmocone, two halves of an infilled ammonite, some Witwatersrand gold reef, a piece of jasper, a fish fossil, an amethyst cluster, some ferrochrome from a smelter, a cut-open quartz geode and a piece of obsidian from near Mt Shasta on the PCT. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/50 "2018-02-14T12:34:50Z")
Rock on. All I have is a child’s crayon drawing done by someone else’s young child and left at a desk I inherited years ago. I am not even sure what it is meant to depict. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/51 "2018-02-14T12:55:10Z")
> [@edwardcoast](#): > > None. It’s unprofessional to decorate your work area like its your personal bedroom. People who do that aren’t taking seriously at work. You must be a blast to work with. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/52 "2018-02-14T13:49:40Z")
> [@edwardcoast](#): > > None. It’s unprofessional to decorate your work area like its your personal bedroom. People who do that aren’t taking seriously at work. My husband is like that. We had a fight once because I bought him a dog calendar and he wouldn’t hang it up. Truthfully, I’m with **kayaker** on this one. If anyone’s taking me seriously, they must not know me very well. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/53 "2018-02-14T18:51:14Z")
> [@edwardcoast](#): > > None. It’s unprofessional to decorate your work area like its your personal bedroom. People who do that aren’t taking seriously at work. I won’t go as far as letting my hair down per **kayaker** , but hey, I work in a grey cubicle and don’t see the outside all day. Does an inoffensive art poster really make me look like a goof-off? Does it make it better that I can’t see it from the way I sit, eyes pinned to the computer screen? I only see it on my way to and from the bathroom, and I run there and back, not making any small talk or even acknowledging those around me. Must get back to work after voiding myself!!! Pleasantries waste money! ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/54 "2018-02-21T22:11:21Z")
I started a new job a month ago, and have a private office for the first time in over a decade. In fact, my previous company had instituted hoteling/hot-desking, so I hadn’t even had my own desk for about a year. I’m still figuring out what I want to have at the new place, but so far: On My Desk [ul] [li]A [latop stand](https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Design-mStand-Laptop-Patented/dp/B000OOYECC/) that I bought five years ago but wasn’t using at home anymore (a guy who works in a different office likes to do video calls, and it’s better for everyone if I’m looking up at the camera)[/li][li]My iPod Nano[/li][li]A small [Bluetooth speaker](https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-980000741-P710e-Mobile-Speakerphone/dp/B00G2Y44ZK/) that I use with my iPod, and that doubles as a speakerphone for my cell phone[/li][li]A [cell phone stand](https://www.amazon.com/Sinjimoru-Aluminum-Samsung-Verizon-Included/dp/B00HWNMXYE/) (I had two at home, but no longer have a separate work phone so I brought one in to use at the office)[/li][li]A Paris page-a-day [gallery calendar](https://www.amazon.com/Paris-Page-Day-Gallery-Calendar/dp/1523501723/) that my aunt bought me as a gift to celebrate the new job, since I just went to Paris five months ago[/li][li]A water bottle[/li][li]A picture of my dog[/li][li]A small USB-powered fan[/li][li]A USB charging station (for the fan, speaker, iPod, etc.)[/li][/ul]On My Bulletin Board [ul] [li]A large monthly At-A-Glance calendar[/li][li]An oversize pin from a jazz festival I go to every year; it says “Standing Up For Real Jazz”[/li][/ul]On Top of The Storage Cabinets [ul] [li]Mugs from places where I’ve worked[/li][/ul]On The Window Ledge [ul] [li]A nameplate I’ve had since my very first job (25 years ago)[/li][li]My challenge coin collection[/li][li]A Washington Nationals bobblehead (the original Screech mascot, from 2006 [_holy crap I can’t believe it’s been 12 years_!])[/li][/ul]On The Walls [ul] [li]A framed New Yorker cartoon that’s related to my job[/li][li]A framed abstract print[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/55 "2018-02-22T01:36:56Z")
On the desk I own: 2 personal laptops A Bluetooth speaker A dog bed and blankets. He is in the bed when we are there and when we leave the bed is on the floor. Also on the floor are his water bowl and food bowl. A shot glass from Jacksonville A few photos just loose In the drawers: Dog treats and ear medicine Over the counter meds for me A Tide pen An old iPod Extra eyeglasses Dental floss Various usb cords ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/56 "2018-02-22T18:02:51Z")
A dog bed _on the desk_? :eek: How small is your dog?? ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/57 "2018-02-22T18:53:57Z")
Not a one. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/58 "2018-02-24T17:54:46Z")
> [@edwardcoast](#): > > None. It’s unprofessional to decorate your work area like its your personal bedroom. People who do that aren’t taking seriously at work. Funny, I tend not to take seriously the people who DON’T do that. * * * I have a monkey wrench that is about 100 years old. It does not reinvent itself into a fresh new way of thinking about delivering solutions, which my computer is doing all the time. The wrench is beautiful because instead of doing this, it actually works. I have also: A brass lobster Mrs. Napier gave me for sentimental reasons. A massive block of copper, out of which sprouts a blossom of thermocouples, whose colors look like a bouquet. A Type T thermocouple, bare wire 1/8" in diameter, visibly copper and silvery on its two legs… A couple of blocks of unusual metals. A carved wooden Buddha sitting on a wooden box which contains patchouli oil and leaves. This asshole business leader type once asked what was in the box, and I showed him, and he said, “That’s pot!!!” and he kept getting louder and louder, like he was exposing my crime. I was extremely entertained as I watched him create a scene, demonstrating that he couldn’t tell pot from patchouli – not that everybody has to be able to identify pot, but that he didn’t recognize patchouli and was so assertive about making his mistake. He died soon after, but that wasn’t really connected with this. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/59 "2018-02-24T21:33:33Z")
Artwork my kids made (20-30 years ago). My bulletin board is covered with political paraphernalia from campaigns I volunteered for in the past 30 years. Also a few toys - I have the occasional visitor bringing kids. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527/60 "2018-02-25T14:41:03Z")
A few pictures of my son, a plaster cast of my teeth leftover from a dentist’s appointment years ago, a souvenier model of Stonehenge, 4 Funko pop figures (The Joker, Ghost from Game of Thrones, Baby Groot, and Finn Balor the pro wrestler), a backup tie in case I need one, 4 posters (Albert Einstein, Firefly, a schematic of the Space Shuttle, a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum), and some pictures and postcards from a business trip to China. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-personal-items-are-at-your-desk-or-workspace/808527.md?page=2)