The Communal Coffee Debacle

Today our story starts with an Overheard in the Office:

One of my coworkers comes up to the coffee station and presses down to fill her cup. The pot sputters and gurgles, signifying its empty status. Said coworker then cries a bit as she walks away.

The community coffee area is something of a staple in most offices I’ve found.  The fact that this coffee pot is actually in the main part of the office, rather than the break room is something I find interesting, though I suppose the fact that we share a break room with more than just our department has something to do with it.  But what really is the deal with coffee, and why can’t our office-addled brains do without it?

For the record I’m more of a tea junky. I have about 10 boxes of tea at home ranging from herbal bagged tea, to a tin of $20 jasmine green tea pearls, not to mention the fact that I’m always on the look out for a new interesting flavor of tea. I think this may warrant a trip to Cost Plus or Trader Joes for some interesting new blends. One of my favorite tools, (which I donated to the last office I worked in, though I’m regretting it now. Most of the tea at my new office is loose leaf, and for all my assorted tea paraphernalia, I don’t own a tea strainer) is the IngenuiTeaTea Maker. I adore this thing. It’s especially great when making loose  leaf tea because of the built in strainer.  (Tea of the moment  is Twining’s Irish Breakfast)

But I digress.

So Bloggites, what is your office ritual surrounding the communal coffee area? Free for all? Bring your own beans? Is there a kitty involved to keep costs down?  

What keeps your office running?