# Why the 15 second rule at Argo Tea? Any thoughts on how to follow up? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 28, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119 "2010-03-28T17:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/81 "2010-03-30T04:25:58Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I actually believe that one day, someone will get so mad that they will actually, rather than just threaten, actually do something like this, and, based on what has been said before, that will be the end of this place. > > It sucks that one hypothetical user has so much power over this place. Oh, bullshit **BigT**. Our illustrious Overlords would never let that happen. Donning your brown shirt yet? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/82 "2010-03-30T05:18:16Z")
They have staff who toss out people who do not order tea. They are called the Argo nots. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/83 "2010-03-30T06:13:21Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > I have worked at a coffee shop - we expected people to purchase something before letting them use the bathroom. Do I have to get the coffee[sup]\*[/sup] first? I don’t want to be sitting there, holding back the tide, as it were, while trying to relax and enjoy a hot beverage. I don’t want to leave my coffee unattended while I use the bathroom. And I really don’t want to take it in there with me. Do you mind if I take care of the high-priority tasks first? I promise that when I’m done, I’ll order something. Or cocoa, in my case; never been a big fan of coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/84 "2010-03-30T07:13:58Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > They have staff who toss out people who do not order tea. They are called the Argo nots. Don’t mess with these guys - they’re part of the Argo Cult. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/85 "2010-03-30T07:22:24Z")
Tea. Tea leaves. Imported tea leaves. Yeah, right. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/86 "2010-03-30T13:53:51Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Tea. Tea leaves. Imported tea leaves. Yeah, right. No, it’s simple. If you don’t order tea within 15 seconds, tea leaves. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/87 "2010-03-30T14:07:00Z")
This has something to do with the Tea Party people, right? ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/88 "2010-03-30T14:15:45Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Argo Tea’s Mission Statement](http://www.argotea.com/about_values.shtml) > > > [@](#): > > > > … We promote diversity by empowering our employees and leveraging our customers’ feedback, which together results in the best products, people, and business. Whoever wrote that should be jailed. Call 911. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/89 "2010-03-30T14:18:01Z")
Never criticize a teahouse worker until you’ve walked a camomile in his shoes. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/90 "2010-03-30T14:46:48Z")
> [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > Whoever wrote that should be jailed. Call 911. A collection of vacuous corporate buzzwords applied toward selling overpriced shit to sanctimonious hipsters? I can’t decide if it merits a vigilante-style beating or a medal. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/91 "2010-03-30T14:55:29Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > A collection of vacuous corporate buzzwords applied toward selling overpriced shit to sanctimonious hipsters? I can’t decide if it merits a vigilante-style beating or a medal. I can see the dilemma; it certainly depends on how you see things. Would you rather reward people for being good at what they do, or punish them if what they do induces vomit? I say we beat them with their medals. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/92 "2010-03-30T15:16:52Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I can see the dilemma; it certainly depends on how you see things. Would you rather reward people for being good at what they do, or punish them if what they do induces vomit? I say we beat them with their medals. Agreed. Beating them with vomit would be too complicated. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/93 "2010-03-30T15:20:49Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > Agreed. Beating them with vomit would be too complicated. Just freeze it first. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/94 "2010-03-30T15:36:09Z")
> [@bluekangaroo](#): > > after this, they might get around to fixing the **women’s token box**. Ha ha! You said [REDACTED][REDACTED] about the OP’s [REDACTED]. Sounds like the employee was a bit of a [VERY REDACTED] herself. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/95 "2010-03-30T15:38:14Z")
Did you ever notice that white people order tea like this? But black people order tea like this? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/96 "2010-03-30T15:52:30Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Did you ever notice that white people order tea like this? But black people order tea like this? Oh _man_ - all this time, when they’ve asked me if I wanted “white tea” or “black tea” I thought they were asking if I wanted milk in it! :smack: I feel such a fool. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/97 "2010-03-30T15:58:30Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > This has something to do with the Tea Party people, right? > [@DanBlather](#): > > They have staff who toss out people who do not order tea. They are called the Argo nots. And we have posters that repeat jokes from the first page of the thread. They are called “late to the party”. ---
**Author:** ![A.Selene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ec8ea/32.png) [@A.Selene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.Selene)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/98 "2010-03-30T16:02:10Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > Agreed. Beating them with vomit would be too complicated. Which brings up the age old question: can you kill someone by beating them with a 2 pound bag of vomit? ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/99 "2010-03-30T16:05:44Z")
I wrote a nasty e-mail to Argo Tea over a similar incident, and asked that management respond to my complaint directly. I was then contacted by a “Mr. Tea” who proceeded to inform me that I was a fool and that he felt pity towards my person. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/100 "2010-03-30T16:21:00Z")
C’mon, you drink your tea first (in 15 seconds or less), _then_ you go to the bathroom. Simple physiology. If you go wee first, then drink the tea, soon you’ll have to wee again. And Argo will have to pay more for towels and other bathroom supplies. Then the price of tea goes up and minorities are hit hardest. Argo is just trying to ensure diversity. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119.md?page=6)