So, I (27M) work in a shared office space with a communal kitchen. Everyone leaves their mugs in the cabinet. No names, no labels. Just… mugs.

Last week, I forgot mine at home, so I grabbed a plain black mug from the cabinet that looked like a generic freebie from a conference. Used it, washed it, and left it on my desk.

Cue the drama.

The next day, my coworker Emily (29F) came storming over asking where her mug was. Apparently, it was a gift from her boyfriend and has “sentimental value.” I apologized and said it was on my desk—clean—and handed it back.

She looked at me like I’d just spit in it and said, “You shouldn’t just take things that aren’t yours.” I agreed but pointed out that it wasn’t labeled and looked like the dozens of other mugs. I said maybe she should mark it next time.

Now she wants me to replace it because she says the “vibe is off now” and it feels “violated.” I refused. I didn’t break it, didn’t damage it, and even cleaned it better than most people in the office do.

Now a few coworkers are saying I should just buy her a new mug to keep the peace, but I think that’s ridiculous. It’s like someone borrowing a pen and you demanding a new one because they touched it.

AITAH?