WIBTA: Taking my coffee maker with me when I leave my current job
For five relentless years, a solitary coffee addict navigated the demanding world of STEM, clinging to the comfort of her trusty, secondhand coffee makers while surrounded by tea and soda drinkers.
Her daily ritual was more than a caffeine fix—it was a lifeline, a quiet rebellion against the fatigue and isolation that often shadow the pursuit of a PhD in medical research.
Then came Anne, a seasoned postdoctoral associate whose friendly demeanor masked the challenging undercurrents of their collaboration.
Their worlds collided not just through shared workspaces, but through the unspoken tensions of experience, age, and ambition—setting the stage for a story of resilience, perseverance, and the complex human dynamics woven into scientific discovery.
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The original poster (OP) is facing a dilemma regarding whether to take a personal, older coffee maker upon leaving their PhD program, especially since a difficult colleague, Anne, has become dependent on it.
The conflict centers on the OP's desire to be generous versus a feeling of resentment stemming from Anne's challenging workplace behavior and perceived lack of respect.
If the OP takes the machine, they prioritize their own comfort and slight retribution for past frustrations; if they leave it, they act graciously despite Anne's negative contributions.
Does the OP's right to reclaim personal property outweigh the impact of removing a convenient resource from a colleague who has otherwise made the work environment unpleasant?
Strong Takes and Sharper Words from the Crowd:
The crowd poured into the comments, bringing a blend of heated opinions, solid advice, and a few reality checks along the way.