I am very sensitive to caffeine, a lot more so than most people. How sensitive? Well, you know that headache you get when you skip your morning cup of coffee? I get that after drinking decaf for a few days. What most people don't realize is that decaf coffee is not completely decaffeinated. Depending on the brand, decaf coffee still has anywhere from 1% to 10% of its caffeine remaining. And that little bit is more than enough to have an effect on me.
So why the caffeine lesson? Because yesterday I was craving an iced mocha. Normally, I get a grande decaf iced mocha. Yesterday, in my infinite wisdom, I went with a venti iced mocha. Yep, that's right -- more coffee with full caffeine. When I walked in yesterday, I was hot and I was thinking venti means more coldness. However, in my rush to get that coldness, I completely forgot about the caffeine. So not only did I get a drink with full caffeine, I got one that has an extra shot of espresso!
Fast forward to 3:00 am. I was still awake. I drifted off somewhere between 3:00 and 4:00. Fast forward to 7:30 am. The dog was now awake. I didn't get much sleep after that.
Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Breaking in a New Barrista
I'm pretty sure the new barrista at my neighborhood Starbucks doesn't like me. She did fine the first day, but she's had a few issues the last three times I've been there.
The first time, she was on the register and messed up with my gift card. After I get my drink and am about to walk out the door, she calls after me. I didn't know she was talking to me, so I kept going. Another customer got my attention. Apparently she didn't put in the payment right and I wasn't charged for the drink the first time and she couldn't figure out how to get past the screen. I went back and paid, but I wasn't too happy because I was already in a hurry. I'm sure if I would have said something, the manager would have given me the drink for free, but like I said, I was in a hurry.
The second time, I made her re-do my drink. I never send drinks back, so you know there had to be something wrong with this one. It wasn't a big deal, she just forgot to put the mocha in my mocha.
Finally, this morning I get to the front and she says, "Your total is $3.72." Since I know the prices for the various things I order, I know this is wrong. I say, "No, my total is $3.30." She gives me the strangest look, like she can't decide if I'm crazy or just joking with her and trying to pay less for my drink. I think the girl on the next register heard me because she came over and told her she put it in wrong. Girl #2 fixed it and charged me correctly. When I walked past her again to leave after getting my coffee, she still had that odd look on her face.
The first time, she was on the register and messed up with my gift card. After I get my drink and am about to walk out the door, she calls after me. I didn't know she was talking to me, so I kept going. Another customer got my attention. Apparently she didn't put in the payment right and I wasn't charged for the drink the first time and she couldn't figure out how to get past the screen. I went back and paid, but I wasn't too happy because I was already in a hurry. I'm sure if I would have said something, the manager would have given me the drink for free, but like I said, I was in a hurry.
The second time, I made her re-do my drink. I never send drinks back, so you know there had to be something wrong with this one. It wasn't a big deal, she just forgot to put the mocha in my mocha.
Finally, this morning I get to the front and she says, "Your total is $3.72." Since I know the prices for the various things I order, I know this is wrong. I say, "No, my total is $3.30." She gives me the strangest look, like she can't decide if I'm crazy or just joking with her and trying to pay less for my drink. I think the girl on the next register heard me because she came over and told her she put it in wrong. Girl #2 fixed it and charged me correctly. When I walked past her again to leave after getting my coffee, she still had that odd look on her face.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Chain v. Local
Like many people, I think chains have turned our cities into carbon copies of each other. When I'm traveling and I've forgotten to pack some essential, it's nice to know that right down the street there's going to be a Target or Walmart and that I'll be able to walk straight to the aisle I need without asking anybody where I can find this or that. But what I don't like is that when I ask someone where's good place to eat, they point me to the nearest Chili's or Olive Garden. I like both of these places, but what I'm looking for is something local, something I can't find in my own home town. Many people can't tell me a good local restaurant, and that's just sad.
I like supporting local businesses if possible. In Fort Worth, there are a lot of local eateries that I've been slowly discovering. Since I usually go on someone else's recommendation, they're usually all really good too. Some have long lines, but are definitely worth the wait. The people who own and run these places have worked hard to get to where they are, and I wish there were more of them around.
But there's something about a chain too. I'm writing this as I'm enjoying a cup of Starbucks. Yes, Starbucks -- about as far from local as you can get. About 6 - 8 months ago, a little local coffee shop opened about a block from where I live, and their coffee is really good. But I still drive a couple of miles in the other direction to get Starbucks. Why? Because although this little shop has really good coffee, I never know when I'm going to be able to get any. Their hours are constantly changing, they're not open at all on the weekends, and their service is horrible.
The last time I went, there was nobody in line in front of me, but the two ladies working refused to take my order! They were not standing around, but they were not helping other customers either; they just thought it was more important to wipe down the counters and restock the cabinets than to help a customer. They knew I was there, because each of them looked over at me a couple of times, but neither stopped what she was doing to take my order. I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and then I left. As I got to my car, one of the ladies came running out of the shop, apologized for not taking my order, and begged me to come back in. She said they were almost done and were about to help me. For a shop that has almost no business, you'd think they'd try to be a little better as far as the customer service goes. Well, I didn't go back in, and I haven't been back since. It wasn't the first time they tried my patience, but it was the last.
Say what you will about places like Starbucks, they always have great customer service. Or at least that has been my experience. When I walk in the door, I'm greeted with a smile and a hello (not necessary, but still nice). If they're busy doing something else, they stop what they're doing and help you (unless they're helping another customer, which is completely understandable). On the rare occasion that they accidentally get someone else's order in front of mine, they apologize and hand me a coupon for a free coffee next time, and this is without me even pointing it out. They were local once upon a time too, and over time they've managed to become what they are now. I know a lot of people hate them, but they must be doing something right. Unfortunately, I don't see this little local coffee shop surviving much longer. With their constantly changing hours and their lack of customer service, I just don't see enough people being patient enough with them to keep coming back. And that's a shame.
I like supporting local businesses if possible. In Fort Worth, there are a lot of local eateries that I've been slowly discovering. Since I usually go on someone else's recommendation, they're usually all really good too. Some have long lines, but are definitely worth the wait. The people who own and run these places have worked hard to get to where they are, and I wish there were more of them around.
But there's something about a chain too. I'm writing this as I'm enjoying a cup of Starbucks. Yes, Starbucks -- about as far from local as you can get. About 6 - 8 months ago, a little local coffee shop opened about a block from where I live, and their coffee is really good. But I still drive a couple of miles in the other direction to get Starbucks. Why? Because although this little shop has really good coffee, I never know when I'm going to be able to get any. Their hours are constantly changing, they're not open at all on the weekends, and their service is horrible.
The last time I went, there was nobody in line in front of me, but the two ladies working refused to take my order! They were not standing around, but they were not helping other customers either; they just thought it was more important to wipe down the counters and restock the cabinets than to help a customer. They knew I was there, because each of them looked over at me a couple of times, but neither stopped what she was doing to take my order. I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and then I left. As I got to my car, one of the ladies came running out of the shop, apologized for not taking my order, and begged me to come back in. She said they were almost done and were about to help me. For a shop that has almost no business, you'd think they'd try to be a little better as far as the customer service goes. Well, I didn't go back in, and I haven't been back since. It wasn't the first time they tried my patience, but it was the last.
Say what you will about places like Starbucks, they always have great customer service. Or at least that has been my experience. When I walk in the door, I'm greeted with a smile and a hello (not necessary, but still nice). If they're busy doing something else, they stop what they're doing and help you (unless they're helping another customer, which is completely understandable). On the rare occasion that they accidentally get someone else's order in front of mine, they apologize and hand me a coupon for a free coffee next time, and this is without me even pointing it out. They were local once upon a time too, and over time they've managed to become what they are now. I know a lot of people hate them, but they must be doing something right. Unfortunately, I don't see this little local coffee shop surviving much longer. With their constantly changing hours and their lack of customer service, I just don't see enough people being patient enough with them to keep coming back. And that's a shame.
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