When I started at Microsoft, the first aid kits in the kitchens had signs on them reminding people that they were for emergency use only. At first this seems reasonable, but they're very large first aid kits, and if you open them, you see that most of the things in them are in no way suited for emergencies. There's gauze, alcohol, large bandages, cloth wraps, and the like... but there's also ibuprofen, cold and sinus medication, and cough drops. When was the last time you had a cough drop emergency—some kind of cherry menthol crisis? It didn't make much sense; clearly those items were there for the general well-being of the office and not just emergencies.

They've since removed the sign.


Currently listening: Zero 7—This Fine Social Scene

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