Refilling Office Coffee Linked to Latent Serial Killers

What type of person would deliberately disregard their colleagues and not refill the office coffee pot(s)? Could this type of person, who shows no consideration for their fellow worker, have the same characteristics of a serial killer? Although this may sound extreme, a correlation can be found. This paper will show a positive correlation between the personalities that deliberately does not refill the coffee pot and serial killers. This paper will examine the prototype of serial killers and correlate it to those who do not refill the coffee pot, AKA the nonrefiller.

To many, coffee is an innocent drink with the only harm being a possible caffeine addiction. Many people consider coffee as their wake up drink, something to get them going in the mornings. Most companies offer coffee to their employees without a second thought. It is considered an employees right to have coffee at the office. Any prevention of an employee to have their coffee is a violation of that employee's right. Office drinkers beware; there may be more at stake than caffeine addiction.

Many offices have two coffee pots, pot A and pot B. The employer does this so the employees are not without their coffee. An example of the possible problem can be illustrated by assuming a scenario in which pot A has ?a cup of coffee left in it and pot B has 1 ?cups. A person takes a cup from pot B and that now leaves ?cup in pot A and ?cup in pot B. At this point, a considerate person would put the ?cup from one pot into the other pot and start a fresh pot of coffee. It takes approximately 22 seconds to start a pot of coffee.

Most would agree that serial killers have psychopathic antisocial personality. A psychopath is someone who has an abnormal personality and makes the community suffer because of it (Gregory, 1987). Most people afflicted with personality disorders don't see anything wrong with the way they are functioning. They believe it is the rest of the world that is out of step. The antisocial commit acts that range from petty disobedience to unspeakable brutality and then seem to feel no remorse (Papalia & Olds, 1988). They are resistant to most social structures and manipulate others. They are persistently violating others rights, have shallow emotions, need self aggrandizement, cannot tolerate constraints and have an underdeveloped conscience (Papalia & Olds, 1998).

Serial killers have other attributes. DeHart and Mahoney (1994), describe serial killers as visionary, hedonistic and power/control killers. These same attributes can be applied to the nonrefiller. A visionary is an impractical person. The way they view the world is not realistic. The nonrefiller may have a vision of making others miserable and may think that violating others rights will give him a purpose. Knowing that the next one to get a cup of coffee after him will have to refill the pot, makes him happy. The nonrefiller sees nothing wrong with this. The nonrefiller may in fact think that he is doing something good. Lachmann and Lachmann (1995) have suggested that the fantasy or vision of the serial killer, redresses his painful early experience by reversing roles and inflicting torture on his victims, temporarily revitalizing deadened feelings and restoring a depleted sense of self. This can be applied to the nonrefiller. The nonrefiller may have experienced, in his early years, a form of abuse involving hot beverages or beverages made by machines. Thus, the nonrefiller is inflicting his own pain, symbolized by the coffee machine, on his victims, just as the serial killer inflicts his pain on his victims. The nonrefiller, like the serial killer is hedonistic, that is, pleasure is the chief good. The serial killer gets pleasure from inflicting torture and killing their victims. The nonrefiller gets pleasure from knowing that he took the last cup of coffee. If others want coffee, they will have to make more. The pleasure in this, comes from the control the serial killer have over their victims. The nonrefiller is in control, he decides who is to refill the pot, and it is not him. He has power over the coffee machines and thus power over the other employees.

When one thinks of serial killers, Charles Manson and Ted Bundy come to mind. Two characteristics, intelligence and charming were part of their appeal. A study done by Holmes and DeBurger (1985) confirms that these are characteristics of a serial killer. These two traits may explain why the nonrefiller has not been caught. The nonrefiller may have been close to getting caught, but through wit and charm, was probably let go. If we look at the case of Jeffery Daumer, there were many times when his crimes came close to being found out, but was discounted for various reasons. Jeffrey Daumer and Ted Bundy, both charmed their victims. This is how they lured them into being a victim. A similar situation can be seen with Charles Manson. Manson charmed his followers, and through this, he was able to get them to kill for him. The nonrefiller charms his way out of not refilling the pot(s). He may even charm a coworker into filling it for him. One must wonder, were the above mentioned serial killers nonrefillers before they started their murder sprees? Was nonrefilling a precursor to the act of serial killing? It is this author's belief that if one was to dig further back into the lives of these men and other serial killers, the act for nonrefilling would be found. It can clearly be seen, the nonrefiller is someone to take lightly.

The nonrefiller does indeed have many traits attributed to serial killers. Serial killers have also been linked to antisocial personality disorder. According to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV (1994), in order to meet the criteria for antisocial personality disorder the person must demonstrate three or more of the following indicators:

(1) Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated and be repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.

(2) Deceitfulness, as indicated by reported lying, use of aliases or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.

(3) Impulsivity for failure to plan ahead.

(4) Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults.

(5) Reckless disregard for safety of self or others.

(6) Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.

(7) Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated or stolen for another (page 279, 280).

The nonrefiller would meet with this criteria. First, the nonrefiller has a disregard for others rights. Both pots of coffee are provided for all who work in the office. That is to say, it is all employees of that office right to have coffee. The nonrefiller is violating those rights, by not refilling the pot. The nonrefiller is denying the others their right to coffee.

One of the first indicators of antisocial personality is failure to conform to social norms. A social norm is accepted rules, spoken or unspoken, indicating how people should behave in certain situations or under specific circumstances. Refilling the coffee pot(s) is an office social norm in the same way that standing in line at a movie theater ticket office is or waiting your turn in a supermarket check out isle. Social norms are a crucial means through which groups, such as offices, mold the actions of members. Without norms there would chaos. It is an unwritten office norm or rule to be considerate of others with regard to filling the coffee pot. The nonrefiller is committing an act against his or hers office members by not refilling the coffee pot(s). The serial killer violates social norms and laws by committing murder. The serial killer may, as a youth, committed other crimes, such as theft or battery. The serial killer does not respect or conform to the norms set forth by society. They, like the nonrefiller, know what their doing is wrong, but have total disregard for the rules.

The second indicator regards deceitfulness. When the nonfiller deliberately takes the cup from pot B (remember pot B has 1 ?cups and pt A has ?cups) the nonrefiller is being deceitful. It is deceitful by virtue that neither pot is completely empty, yet the next person to try to get a cup of coffee must take the ?cup from both pots in order to have a full cup and thus be responsible for starting both pots of coffee. The nonrefiller knows this and still takes a cup from pot B without preparing a fresh pot. The nonrefiller does this knowing what the outcome of the next person will be. This could be called sneaky and deceitful. To be deceitful is to cheat, mislead or delude another. A ?cup left in a pot is considered empty. The nonrefiller would say, " There is coffee in the pot, so there is no reason to refill it." By not refilling, the nonrefiller is gaining personal time. The nonrefiller has added approximately 22 seconds of time his day. The nonrefiller is, in a sense, lying and being deceitful about the pot not being empty. Granted there is still a bit of coffee left in the pot, but the outcome is the same as if the pot were dry. This may also be related to indicator three with regards to failure to plan ahead.

The nonrefiller may not have thought about the circumstance of the others after him or her. The nonrefiller is only thinking of personal gain and does not plan ahead. The nonrefiller is not planning ahead because of the lack of concern toward his fellow employees.

Indicator four relates to irritability and aggressiveness. If one is aggressive, one deliberately commits an act that one knows will hurt another, whether that be a psychological or physical hurt. Not refilling either pot hurts others, because now their time is taken away and they are left without enough coffee for a full cup. That cup of coffee is a right of that employee. The nonrefiller has thus violated that right.

The reckless disregard for others, indicator five, is typical of the nonrefiller. As mentioned earlier, the nonrefiller is only thinking of himself. The nonrefiller has no consideration for others. To be considerate is to be thoughtful of others. It is clear the nonrefiller is not thoughtful of others. To be thoughtful, the nonrefiller would have refilled the pot(s). This lack of disregard for the other employees could lead to a safety issue. For example, if two people come in at the same time for a cup of coffee, who gets the coffee and who refills the pot? Time is important to both of the employees, they both have work that needs to be done. An argument could transpire between the two, which could lead to violent acts or a hostile working relationship. Neither is very promising. The serial killer, obviously, has no regard for his fellow humans just as the nonrefiller has no regard his colleagues. It is irresponsible not to refill the pot(s). This brings us to indicator six, irresponsibility to sustain consistent work behavior. A behavior that would be considered responsible would be to refill the pot for fellow colleagues. Thinking of fellow employees who may desire a cup of hot fresh coffee, the responsible person would refill the pot(s).

Indicator seven is most typical of the antisocial, lack of remorse. The nonrefiller does not feel any guilt or remorse for not refilling the pot. If the nonrefiller did feel remorse than the nonrefiller would not be consistent with leaving the pots without coffee or with very little coffee. The serial killer murders and feels no guilt about the murder, just as the nonrefiller feels no remorse for not refilling the pot(s). It is very clear that the nonrefiller has an antisocial personality. This leads us to the theory that the nonrefiller may in fact be a serial killer. Although the nonrefiller may not have murdered yet, the tendency may be dormant for a while. Thus the nonrefiller may be a latent serial killer. The nonrefiller must be dealt with quickly and efficiently. The nonrefiller is a person with an antisocial personality and a latent tendency for serial murder. They deliberately do not refill the pot(s), knowing that the next person who wants a cup of coffee will have to refill the pot. Unlike others who would feel guilty about not making a fresh pot of coffee, the nonrefiller is free of disruptive effects of anxiety. Those who work in an office should be aware of the nonrefillers typology in order to avoid serial killing. It is important to stop the nonrefiller before the killing begins. It is not understood what events may trigger the nonrefiller to kill, that is why office coffee drinkers must beware. Next time you go to pour yourself a cup of coffee at work and take nearly the end of the coffee and do not refill the pot, stop and ask yourself, "Do I fit the criteria of a nonrefiller antisocial latent serial killer?" To find out if you are or if you may have a tendency to be, take the following test.

Are you a Nonrefiller Latent Antisocial Serial Killer?

1. Do you take a full cup of coffee from one pot, leaving a cup or less in both pots?
2. When a pot of coffee is near empty, do you NOT refill it?
3. Do you NOT feel guilty, anxious or remorse when you do not refill the pot?
4. Do you feel that you are in control or have power when you don't refill a near empty pot?
5. Could you care-less that a co-worker may have to refill the pot that you left empty?
6. Do you lie about the pot being empty, so you don't have to refill it?
7. Do you lie to your co-workers or make excuses about not refilling the near empty pot?
8. Do you want to do harm to your co-workers?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you may be a nonrefilling antisocial latent serial killer. If you did answer yes to any questions, it is vital that you seek out professional help immediately.

References

DeHart, D.D. & Mahoney, M.J. (1994). The serial murders motivations: An interdisciplinary review. Journal of Death & Dying. Vol. 29 (1) 29-45.

Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV (1994). American Psychiatric Association: Washington, DC.

Gregory, R.L. (1987). The oxford companion to the mind. Oxford University Press: Oxford.

Holmes, R.M. & DeBurger, J.E. (1985). Profiles in terror: the serial murderer. Federal Probation. Vol 49(3), 29/34.

Lachmann & Lachmann, F.M. (1995). The personification of evil: Motivations and fantasies of the serial killer. International forum of Psychoanalysis. Vol 4(1) 17-23.

Papalia, D.E. & Olds, S.W. (1988). Psychology (2^nd Ed.). McGraw-Hill: New York.