Where I work we have a spill-proof cup policy. Basically because of
the electronics and the equipment and everything running through the
raised floor underneath where we work we really don't need people
spilling stuff. Spills lead to damaged equipment, roaches and mice
and mold, and just general shabbiness because nobody actually cleans
it up very well.
A lot of people ignore the spill-proof cup policy and bring in their
Styrofoam cups or their fast food drink cups with straws and plastic
lids on them.
I have a Contigo spill-proof cup. I got it at Walmart. I have done
everything I can think of to try to spill something out of it and it
has never spilled. It's got a little button to allow the liquid to
flow out through the lid. The lid screws on very well and is sealed
very well. It even has a lock on the button that opens the valve to
allow liquid to flow out as you pour to prevent you from pressing that
button accidentally.
So at our early and our afternoon briefings I made public service
announcements recently by holding up my spill proof cup and then
turning it over and shaking it upside down and reminding people that
we still have a spilll-proof cup policy in this building.
At first there were a lot of frowny faces. By the end of the week it
started changing and people were starting to address it and
supervisors were laughing when I did my public service announcement.
Hopefully I made enough of a point to most of our people that they
will start addressing the situation properly.
But I tell the story because this is the way I like to get things
across to people. If I address things directly I tend to be
interpreted as being angry. I have learned to address things with a
little bit of humor and some apology and a plea for help.
But I still address them! And even though I'm not a good example in
other areas I'm a really good example in this.
You can find my spill proof cup at
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Contigo-West-Loop-Stainless-Steel-Travel-Mug-with-AUTOSEAL-Lid-Passion-Fruit-16-fl-oz/114050074
or https://www.amazon.com/Contigo-Autoseal-Stainless-Leakproof-Easy-Clean/dp/B07TN8SXSP/ref=sr_1_10?crid=2JONFR7NESCWD&keywords=contigo%2Bspill%2Bproof%2Bcup&qid=1675039300&sprefix=contigo%2Bspill%2Bproof%2Bcup%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-10&th=1
