There has been this edict round in the office - due to the frequent spillages of liquid on the carpet, from henceforth we are to use paper cups with lids rather than the traditional ceramic drinking tool. (The paper cups and plastic lids are only an interim measure, pending a sustainable solution)
I just find this strange. Not good, not bad, just strange. The intent makes sense. It's just that I've worked in several places, which I'm sure had the same level of gravity and viscosity of tea, and yet none have done this. Unprecendented. Hence strange. And potentially counterproductive, as the paper cups are missing a key functional component of ceramic mugs - a handle to keep your pinkies away from the hot stuff.
I've never worked in a place where the most important task was protecting the carpet. It must be a lovely environment.
(I did work for a company that refused to let me buy toner for laser printers, and we made laser printers, but that's a different story.)
