Read this article (originally by Ruby Browne) and reposted it on Facebook and it ended up being one of the quickest reposted link, and possibly the most reposted one on my feed. Other than the fact that I do have a lot of friends who are or were in the coffee industry, the real reason is that the article definitely hit every nail on the head. Although the article is written by someone who is basing the ten points on the culture in America, the issues seem like a worldwide problem, or perhaps a problem with people in first-world countries.
Point #5 and #7 are usually by people who try to act like they know everything about coffee as they transition from traditional coffeeshop-style coffee (kopitiam kopi). Kopitiam coffees are definitely cheaper as they firstly use cheaper beans, and they basically leave a giant sock of coffee that is slowly thickening in a pot throughout the day, diluting the coffee with scalding hot water when you order a cup. That's how you get your extra hot coffee at a relatively low price starting from one dollar. However, these set of people go into espresso-based coffee joints and hope they get the same thing but don't realise that even the milk used is different.
Point #10 is obviously something that has gotten worse in recent times. I understand sometimes someone happens to call just as you need to communicate with the counter staff, what I don't understand is why you can't ask the other person to wait for a minute. If you know what you want to order, you would have it down in less than thirty seconds, with only the staff asking for your name. Another way would be to tell the other party that you'll call them back or just let it be a missed call. You are taking a break with coffee, take a break from your phone too.
Point #6 is very common, and even though Starbucks is one of the bigger names, why would you think that Starbucks' drinks menus are copied by everyone. I did have fun when people came in ordering like they would usually do in a Starbucks and I'd just act like they were talking alien. There is a reason why every coffee joint has their own blend, and their own menu of drinks. Other than the standard coffee drinks, specials are suited to the cafe's own signature coffee blend. Even coffee shots are made differently and that is why some people are die-hard fans of only one coffee joint.
These are the few that got me giggling while reading the article, and I bet most of my friends as well. Every repost had a discussion as to which point was the most irritating, and it brought back loads of memories. If I ever get to start a cafe, I'd definitely print this article out really big and stick it on the wall.
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