Workplace rules can sometimes feel inconsistent or overly strict.

The following story is about a man who worked at a college cafeteria where management removed to-go cups to cut costs.

Although employees were allowed free coffee, he was told not to use outside cups in a way that upset his manager.

One day, he decided to challenge the rule in a clever and unexpected way.

You’ll definitely love the ending of this one. Let’s take a closer look!

Coffee Cup drama at work!

This happened at a college cafeteria where I worked. We used to have to-go cups.

Management wanted to save money, so they got rid of the to-go cups.

The only cups available were the regular diner-style ceramic coffee cups.

Well, since they took the cups away, I would stop at the cafe on campus and get a to-go coffee.

It was free because I was an employee. It was a nice large size and would stay hot longer.

This man was called out by her manager for using a to-go cup.

Our manager in the cafeteria did not like me using the cafe cups.

She told me she did not want me to use them.

She said the students would be upset if they saw me with a to-go cup.

She said they had to use the reusable ones. It was nonsense.

She was snotty and liked to jerk around the employees she did not like.

He decided to mess around with her.

One morning, I decided to jerk back.

I went to a convenience mart where they sold the same coffee. They used the same to-go cups.

I got to work, and you have to know that this boss had “eyes at her back.” That is one of my mom’s favorite expressions.

She would be nowhere to be found.

But if you did the slightest thing wrong, she would come out of nowhere at you.

His manager was embarrassed, and he was perfectly satisfied with her reaction.

Well, I got to work and walked around holding my cup so it was really noticeable.

Here she comes, barreling at me and says in her best snotty voice, “Didn’t we have a conversation about coffee cups?”

I said yes, we did, but this was from Sunoco. I then presented her with my receipt.

Oh, the look on her face was priceless. Best day at work ever.

Haha! That was actually a pretty clever move. OP followed the rule in a technical way without breaking it.

That manager probably wasn’t expecting that receipt.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an employee who just let clients complain after her boss refused to approve overtime.

Let’s check out the comments of other people on this story.

Indeed, right?

This user shares their personal thoughts.

Here’s another interesting insight.

Short and sensible.

Finally, here’s a valid point.

The best comeback is just following the rules to the letter.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an IT worker who logged on early to fix something simple, and discovered a system-wide cyber attack instead.