I've just begun to notice: we are on the edge of a serious coffee mug shortage worldwide.* Both stainless steel and ceramic are affected. I'm not an alarmist or a whiner, but have been noticing that there are fewer and fewer available, day to day in my cupboards.

This may or may not be caused directly by the events in Spain and the Middle East, but I say stock up before the imminent shortages get here!! Coffee is sold worldwide and is drunk in almost every culture; coffee mugs ditto.

I usually keep a dozen fresh one in a case in the basement, but recent times have made me start to use those...but I say buy some soon - before the prices go up. A word to the wise.

TRO

* StarBucks of course says nothing.

Usual disclaimer.

Sssh, TRO, don't let word get out yet. We are coming to a world of coffee mug haves and have-nots. Sad, I know, but a business opportunity for the sharp-minded.

I've been hoarding coffee cups since my pre-DW days. She doesn't understand, and so keeps trying to throw them out, but I put them back in the basement under the stairs. I'm waiting for garage sale season to top off my stash. I may need to rent a shipping container to keep them secure.

When the masses realize what's happening and start to make a "run" on coffee cups, I'll be set for retirement.

I'm set... over the years a coffee cup was a recurring teacher's gift by my Asian kids at Christmas....a nice Parker pen from my first 1600 SAT scorer is a prized momento

I'm glad I like my caffiene cold and won't be affected. Though I may go and buy a few dozen and sell them later at inflated prices. Of course, this state does have an anti-price-gouging law on the books, but I think it only kicks in after a hurricane.

I will broker a futures market for the truly qualified. I understand a couple of Texas guys are trying to corner the market, but I have sources in China who tell me that country has been secretly inflating the cost of its mugs and stockpiling the clay from which they are made. i know secrets that can make you rich! [But first you have to make ME rich.]

Fortunately, I bought a fantastic mug years ago at Costco - stainless steel, double wall insulated, with a nice handle and cap to keep things hot. I am set forever. You could say this mug is built like a tank(ard).

Hoarding and market speculation have triggered an irrational spiral of ever more hoarding and speculation. Mugs that sold for $4 a month ago will be going for $20 and up. There is fear that coffee shops and break rooms may get raided by armed mug thieves.

Fortunately, I've avoided the issue by drinking directly from the pot. It is also good exercise.

Likewise the Ti Double-Wall Cup I picked up at REI is pretty much not going to wear out in my lifetime.

$42.95!

A old timer once showed me how you could, in an emergency, use a tea cup for drinking coffee! Yeah, I know. But it's true. I've tried it.

It does require a bit of modification, but it only takes a hacksaw or two and a pair of good pliers. Hammer optional.

-jh