We were in a new office fit-out meeting with an American client, and we were discussing what they wanted in their kitchen - kettle versus filtered hot water tap from the likes of Zip or Vivreau. The discussion soon got around with the British obsession with kettles (and certain Scandinavian countries' obsessions with toasters in hotel rooms!)
It's not just a stereotype - the British love their tea (and coffee), and since many people in the UK drink multiple cups of tea a day, it's no wonder that we often have kettles in their offices. Having a communal kettle allows colleagues to bond over a shared love of tea while also providing an easy and convenient way to make a hot drink. Plus, having access to hot water can be helpful for making instant soups or noodles during lunchtime. Some offices even have designated "tea rounds" where one person is responsible for making everyone's tea!.
So while it may seem odd to some, having a kettle in the office is just another way that British culture celebrates the simple pleasures of life.
So back to kettle versus filtered hot/cold water tap, here's the rundown:
Kettle
It takes a while to boil, so you can have a chat in the kitchen.
Get really hot water, so your drink doesn't cool quickly.
Unfiltered water can get a buildup of limescale.
Filtered hot water tap
Filtered (obvs), so it reduces limescale.
Purer-tasting water.
Not truly boiling water, but 95 degrees is good for black tea.
Choice of hot, cold and sparkling water in some taps.
It needs CO2 and usually a maintenance contract to run.
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