One reason that notes of the do this/move this/clean this variety inspire so much ire among recipients is the fact that, more often than not, writing the note probably took more time and effort than it would have for the writer to just do/move/clean it themselves. (But of course, to the martyrs in the office, it’s always about the principle of the thing.) Office kitchens seem to be ground zero for this particular type of pettiness.
At Jacqueline’s workplace in San Francisco, for example, “someone left a clean mug on an empty counter” — an offense that was apparently too grave for one coworker to let slide without comment.
Meanwhile, in Ohio, our anonymous submitter came into work one morning to see this note “on a table with maybe two crumbs on it.” Her solution? “I took the picture, put the cleaning supplies away, and moved the note. Later, I was thanked for cleaning the table.”
related: BAD SALAMI!
63 responses so far ↓
#1
Dean Treadway
Fuck that bitch. I’d be smashing that cup in her face and laughing. Job be damned.
Jul 13, 2010 at 10:23 pm rating: 7
#2
Fridge Pirate
The cleaning supplies were fucking delicious.
Jul 13, 2010 at 10:30 pm rating: 12
#3
Nack
It’s amazing how much effort people will go through to avoid having to clean…
I find it much easier to just get ‘er done than whine about someone else needing to.
Jul 13, 2010 at 10:43 pm rating: 7
#4
shwonline
Only possible response to the note on the mug: Move it a few inches and write, “What about now?”
Jul 13, 2010 at 11:19 pm rating: 101
#5
Canthz_B
That cup is in the way?
She doesn’t even look pregnant!
Jul 13, 2010 at 11:48 pm rating: 6
#6
Team Beasly
The mess is always, always infinitely more obnoxious than the note. Yes, it may be quicker on any given instance to play maid to some overgrown child, but if you add up all the time you spend cleaning up after 30+ year old children, it will be far more than the time spent writing a note.
Furthermore, asking them to their face (the alternative always suggested here) never works either. No matter how syrupy sweet you are, workplace slobs inevitably get shrill and defensive when such a request is made to them. Of course, the note never works either, so that’s why you simply proceed to subtly undermine their career.
Fuck them, clean up after yourself like an adult.
Jul 13, 2010 at 11:55 pm rating: 16
#7
gladystopia
Okay, Captain Buzzkill has arrived to overthink photo #2… could someone have maybe already cleaned the table off, but left the cleaning supplies and the note as a sort of sardonic “yes, mother dear”…or as his/her own PA “…because I am NOT gonna do it for you AGAIN”???
(I’m sorry. I’m brain-bound tonight–snarkstipated?? whatever. I should go drink something vodka-based.)
Jul 14, 2010 at 12:00 am rating: 11
#8
Froget Menot
Muggabugga : Person purposedly leaving clean empty mugs on spotless counters.
ex : ” Rats ! the house is full of muggabuggas , lemme get my pan,Cupcake. “
Jul 14, 2010 at 1:00 am rating: 1
#9
Janellionaire
GOD, I need to start doing this in my house. I’m gonna leave post-its on every unwashed dish, every soda can left half-drunk on the counter, every WET TOWEL IN THE CLEAN LAUNDRY WHY JUST WHY. Do I think it will make the children and spouse change their ways? No. However, it will be fun for me, and that makes it worthwhile. I remember living at home, with the most passive-aggressive stepparent ever, and our silent, rage-filled battles were EPIC. I miss that. Sorry all the caps. Not sorry enough to go back and change them, mind, but take what you can get.
Jul 14, 2010 at 1:53 am rating: 26
#10
Zoe
I love the mug & note. It’s like art, seriously. Put it in a museum and I’m sure art lovers will waffle on about the disconnect between people in society and the significance of the dark blue mug and choosing a post-it as a means of communications.
Jul 14, 2010 at 2:00 am rating: 26
#11
Zoe
And the post-it doesn’t stick, it needs sticky tape to hold it to the mug. I’m sure it’s a metaphor.
Jul 14, 2010 at 2:01 am rating: 7
#12
Canthz_B
Drives me nuts when people state the obvious.
Remove the Post-it note and the cup would be fully visible. As it is now, the note is (as it says) in the way.
Jul 14, 2010 at 2:17 am rating: 27
#13
acumoxa
The maggots were delicious.
Jul 14, 2010 at 5:44 am rating: 1
#14
Froget Menot
QED ! Taoist zombies , of courpse.
How thrilling to learn everyday .
Jul 14, 2010 at 6:34 am rating: 2
#15
Pegasus99
To the point of “it would take you less time to clean up the mess than write a note.”
It’s not my mess. I didn’t make it, so why should I clean it? My coworkers were in the nasty habit of leaving their dishes in the sink to be “washed later.” Of course, later never came, and dishes were stacked overnight, attracting insects. Fucking gross. So, I issued fair warning verbally at lunchtime; clean your fucking dishes or else.
No one listened.
That afternoon at closing, I threw all the dishes out. Silver, glasses, plates, all of it. Without word and without ceremony, save the terrific noise as it went in the dumpster.
Chaos ensued. I was a bitch. I was awful. How dare I. What the fuck was I thinking. Jesus Christ, why didn’t I just wash them?
BECAUSE I AM NOT YOUR FUCKING MAID. Once one person starts to do it, then that person will always be expected to do it. So, NO!!!
Leaving your garbage out for others to see is just as much a passive aggressive statement of “clean up my shit,” as is a note decrying the civil violation. Grown ups in a Grown Up situation like an office kitchen must adhere to the unwritten rules of common decency and clean up after themselves. Period. Not doing so fosters a poisonous culture of assholism which eventually will cost the company money. (As more people are acting like children at daycare rather than do their fucking jobs.)
In the end, my coworkers resorted to plastic plates and disposable flatware. Now I think they are wasteful bastards in addition to being lazy assholes.
Jul 14, 2010 at 6:57 am rating: 73
#16
kthejoker
Did anyone read both messages wrong the first time?
Message #1: The Post-It note is in the way of the cup.
Message #2: Please put these cleaning supplies back where they belong.
I honestly didn’t make the “clean up” connection until I actually read the text of the blog post. I must be immune to passive-aggressiveness.
Jul 14, 2010 at 7:37 am rating: 10
#17
debchasteen
I would have gone outside, picked a few flowers, and put them in the cup, first removing the Post-it, then leaving the cup in the same place.
Jul 14, 2010 at 8:50 am rating: 29
#18
Marvelous
Love the first one. It is fantastically funny when you think of it as a whole. Lighten up people and enjoy a laugh. Whoever left the note should get 4 stars for creativity and if you have to ask why, you wouldn’t get the answer.
Jul 14, 2010 at 1:49 pm rating: 0
#19
aaa
Ceci n’est pas une pipe.
Jul 14, 2010 at 8:04 pm rating: 5
#20
been there
Place a vacuum cleaner or fire extinguisher on the table next to it. Clearly in your handwriting, post-it: “So is this.”
Jul 15, 2010 at 1:12 pm rating: 0
#21
Tracy
I am so glad I found this site. I’m subscribed and can’t wait to read more. I wrote a blog post about a post-it note encounter and found you. Amen sista!
Jul 18, 2010 at 4:32 pm rating: 0
#22
Brian Tristam Williams
To all those who say “it’s easier just to do it yourself than to ask them to clean up after themselves,” enjoy your life as the office cleaning person – because it will never end.
Aug 24, 2010 at 8:09 am rating: 3
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