# Would you bring a cup of coffee into the restroom at work? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263 "2012-11-07T19:04:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/81 "2012-11-08T18:24:56Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > No. The toilet has it’s own little room with a door. Back in the day when we had no such situation, the toothbrush was stored in the cabinet. 😕 This thread is about taking coffee into the restroom, not about storing a toothbrush in there. But personally, I store my work toothbrush in my desk. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/82 "2012-11-08T18:50:38Z")
Every now and then I forget that I’m chewing gum when I go into the restroom. The consequences are revolting. I vote no coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/83 "2012-11-08T18:56:35Z")
The other day, an administrator set up a camera in the back of my sister’s classroom for an hour long videotaped evaluation. My sister gave her teacher’s aid a head’s up in the hallway, so the aid, who had just bought two breakfast burritos, took them into the adjacent class bathroom to eat so she wouldn’t get in trouble. :eek: I find that _horrifying._ Comparatively, bringing a covered cup of coffee in isn’t a big deal, but I still would go out of my way to avoid doing so. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/84 "2012-11-09T02:30:08Z")
Warning, TMI Lo these many years ago when I’d only been a nurse for a short spell, I had a pt that was dying of a degenerative connective tissue disease. One of the manifestation of this was GI track bleeding. Since large quantities of blood in the stomach cause nausea and vomiting which is unpleasant at best, and in this case, dangerous, I was aspirating the stomach contents out through a tube he had up his nose, down his throat and ending in his stomach. It had been a busy shift for me thus far, and as I’m standing there with a graduated cylinder 3/4 full of bloody aspirate in one hand, and pounding a tepid cup of coffee before it becomes undrinkably cold with the other, my boss walks by and says ‘yep, Outlier, you’ve arrived.’ I’ve taken a coffee into the bathroom before. ---
**Author:** ![grama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@grama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grama)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/85 "2012-11-09T02:45:16Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Would you do so in a public restroom if the person in the stall next to you was cutting the cheese? Probably not, since I don’t mind my own smells, but someone else’s is obviously different. I wouldn’t be concerned about bringing something into the bathroom though. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/86 "2012-11-09T12:33:02Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Here’s the deal - I am not squeamish, nor a germaphope, but I do not want to take food, drink, toothbrush, etc. into the same vicinity where bodily excretions take place. I have no objection to people who choose another path, even with the knowledge of Cecil’s toilet aerosol. > > Yes, I do bring my actual mouth in there with me as well, but hey, I also bring my actual asshole with me to my desk and lunchroom at work, but I do not take a dump there. Not exactly the same thing. Do you breathe through your asshole? Because the point is that you seem to be worried about drinking shit particles that may jump into your cup but you have no problem with breathing in a great big gulp if them every time you inhale. Unless you hold your breath every time you go in. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/87 "2012-11-09T13:14:20Z")
Urinals usually have that large top bolt section on the piping section, that holds a paper coffee cup very well, in the stall usually you can balance your coffee cup on top of toilet paper holder. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/88 "2012-11-09T13:41:22Z")
I am against the whole North American “look I am so entitled I can bring my food and or drink anywhere” mentality. I eat lunch/drink my coffee in the break room. When I work night shifts and can’t go to the break room I cavi-wipe a table in the patients dining area and eat/drink there. So no, I don’t bring my coffee to the bathroom, not just because I find it gross, but it is also because I dont walk around with an adult equivelent of a sippy cup with me everywhere I go. (The exception is the gym, I bring water with me when I excercise.) ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/89 "2012-11-09T14:27:18Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Not exactly the same thing. Do you breathe through your asshole? Because the point is that you seem to be worried about drinking shit particles that may jump into your cup but you have no problem with breathing in a great big gulp if them every time you inhale. Unless you hold your breath every time you go in. Exactly. The whole “I take my asshole to my desk” statement was idiotic, and makes absolutely no sense in the context of this discussion. Lets break this down. Some people would rather breathe in millions of molecules of fecal matter than have a fraction of that amount land on the top of their coffee cups. Just admit to being irrational and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/90 "2012-11-09T15:13:36Z")
> [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](#): > > I am against the whole North American “look I am so entitled I can bring my food and or drink anywhere” mentality. I eat lunch/drink my coffee in the break room. When I work night shifts and can’t go to the break room I cavi-wipe a table in the patients dining area and eat/drink there. > > So no, I don’t bring my coffee to the bathroom, not just because I find it gross, but it is also because I dont walk around with an adult equivelent of a sippy cup with me everywhere I go. (The exception is the gym, I bring water with me when I excercise.) Is this a joke? You see it as an entitlement issue? What an odd thing to say. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/91 "2012-11-09T15:20:17Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Is this a joke? You see it as an entitlement issue? What an odd thing to say. I was going to say something similar. Just walking around living your life is an entitlement now? _Eating and drinking_ are entitlements? ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/92 "2012-11-09T15:22:40Z")
Yeah, Ascenray, but it’s only a North American thing. People in other parts of the world never take drinks out of the house. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/93 "2012-11-09T15:31:03Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Yeah, Ascenray, but it’s only a North American thing. People in other parts of the world never take drinks out of the house. So what? How has this become some kind of moral question? ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/94 "2012-11-09T15:37:51Z")
I was totally kidding. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/95 "2012-11-09T15:42:49Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > So what? How has this become some kind of moral question? Some people can turn any subject at all into a moral question. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/96 "2012-11-09T16:33:21Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Some people can turn any subject at all into a moral question. You’d have to be some kind of sick bastard to say something like that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/97 "2012-11-09T21:44:57Z")
My Grandmother used to tell us stories about the horror that was a horse-driven town. The horses pooped constantly, and althought there were folks hired to clean up, they couldn’t possibly get to it all in time. During dry months of the year, the wind constantly blew manure dust everywhere. That’s why ladies hats had face nets! Blech! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/98 "2012-11-09T21:51:39Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Exactly. The whole “I take my asshole to my desk” statement was idiotic, and makes absolutely no sense in the context of this discussion. > > Lets break this down. Some people would rather breathe in millions of molecules of fecal matter than have a fraction of that amount land on the top of their coffee cups. Just admit to being irrational and be done with it. That was kind of my point. Yeah, it’s irrational. It’s cool. I’m ok with that. As long as my irrationality isn’t affecting my life in any substantial way (that is, I will take the coffee into the bathroom if I have no choice, and won’t angst on it) I’m ok with being irrational. This entitlement thing is reminding me of the colander thread (colanders equating to wealth.) Well, I’m so entitled I have FIVE colanders! ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/99 "2012-11-09T22:04:06Z")
Exactly. We’re all irrational about something. It’s no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263/100 "2012-11-09T22:11:00Z")
I would. I do it at home. Coffee in a mug. Some of you people are obsessed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-bring-a-cup-of-coffee-into-the-restroom-at-work/640263.md?page=6)