Disappearing teaspoons: Spoon solutions
BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7533.121-d (Published 12 January 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:121All rapid responses
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Lim et al. extrapolated startling statistics of the potential
worldwide loss
of workplace teaspoons, but did not offer supporting evidence as to
where the missing teaspoons went. Only one subsequent contributor,
Darton, K, even considered the possibility that they may return, but she
offered no suggestions about their intermediate location. They didn't
come to me, that's for sure.
As a theologian I can only conclude they go away permanently, and that
means either to hell or to heaven.
The former option can immediately be ruled out. There are no teaspoons
in hell, for the same reason that there is no toilet paper. Therefore all
the missing teaspoons are in heaven, where there is a blessed collection
of odd socks, safety pins and coins suitable for use in parking meters,
but absolutely no wire coathangers.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
May I humbly suggest the instigation of an organisational issue of
teaspoons to individuals. Perhaps a small deposit could be required in
order to provide an incentive for the care of said implement.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re: The case of disappearing spoons-Disposable spoons, stirrers/metal dectectors as another solution
I am greatly indebted to Drs Kurien and Dorri for mentioning the
possibility of using disposable stirrers. This permits me to advise that
it is a potential solution which CRUMBS unfortunately rejected, because of
the expected corollary of a Spectre Of Displaced Stirrers Leaving Awful
Weariness (SODSLAW).
Unfortunately, when you want to find a stirrer in a hurry, SODSLAW
ensures that the packet is empty because the stirrers have been removed by
colleagues wishing to use them for other purposes, such as tooth-picking
or wedging shut a loose cupboard door.
Nor do I for one moment think that Drs Kurien and Dorri have any link
with the well-known Oklahoma-based megabillion dollar multinational
company called International Disposable Stirrers Inc. It must be just a
coincidence. But if they do, I wish them well in the business.
Best wishes,
Trevor Watts.
Competing interests:
As before
Competing interests: No competing interests
We read with interest the article (1) regarding the disappearance of
spoons from the work place. We assume the teaspoons were used for stirring
tea/coffee in the tearoom. Disposable stirrers/teaspoons would be an
ideal substitute for stainless steel teaspoons if the sole purpose was
stirring tea/coffee. It is possible that the teaspoons go missing because
of the attractiveness of the stainless steel teaspoons that have been
used.
We do not have much of a problem in this aspect in our work place,
perhaps owing to the use of disposable spoons/forks/stirrers. For the sole
purpose of stirring tea/coffee only stirrers are used. Perhaps the use of
disposable spoons/stirrers (some places use wooden stirrers) would be the
easiest solution to the mystery of disappearing spoons. This also reduces
the chore of washing and keeping a tab on them (five months spent to keep
track of the spoons is quite a lot of time). Even losses would not be as
much when disposable spoons are used.
Immobilization, by chaining teaspoons (Trevor Watts-Spoon Solutions,
BMJ.com, Dec 23rd, 2005), may not be very practical and actually may
become complicated when a number of users arrive at the same time (even
with multiple chained spoons)(we do not wish to disrupt Dr. Watts'
business plan of making chained teaspoons). Forcing staff to bring their
own (Trevor Watts-Spoon Solutions, Dec 23rd, 2005) is okay, but people
tend to forget often and the problem will tend to continue.
Or maybe the authors should find a way to use metal dectectors to
solve the case of the disappearing spoons.
Hope this is not too much of advice and we wish all future chain-
spoon manufacturing businesses all success.
Reference
1. Megan S C Lim, Margaret E Hellard, and Campbell K Aitken
BMJ 2005; 331: 1498-1500.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Missing Spoons, Socks, & Staplers
The answer to where the missing spoons is, in most cases, they are
not being
stolen but are instead being tossed in the trash. That is what I found in
my own
household when I discovered metal spoons in our garbage, often still
in disposable yogurt cups. In addition, household members threw out spoons
that had been damaged in garbage disposals to conceal evidence of
carelessness.
Related issues are the disappearance of socks and staplers. I found
in my own
household while emptying trash baskets from various bedrooms that
other household members discarded my socks when they became mingled with
their own laundry. In my workplace, we have a chronic problem with
staplers
going missing in the copier/laser printer room. One day, I was frustrated
by a
lack of a stapler when I happened to glance down and caught a glimpse of
the
familiar glossy black texture of a stapler. Sure enough, it had been
tossed in the
trash, apparently just because it had jammed.
The root cause of the disappearance of tea break room spoons, socks,
and
copier room staplers all appears to be not outright dishonesty but
laziness,
thoughtlessness, and lack of consideration for others.
Competing interests:
None
Competing interests: No competing interests