Starbucks People

    I admit it, I am addicted to their coffee, but I am also addicted to the people there too. I don't mean the Baristas either, although it is cool that they now know me and what I like. I mean the people in the line who are sometimes terribly interesting and at times highly entertaining. Today I was blessed with an awesome performance. This sort of oddly dressed couple was in front of me. They had been in line for 5 minutes or so and yet when they got to the counter the woman still stared at the board as though it was going to unravel the mysteries of the universe for her. Finally she says, "I would like a Mocha." Nothing exotic, or special, no half-caf or anything. Just Mocha. I began to wonder if this was a new discovery the board had revealed to her, and realized how much I take for granted the hidden mysteries of coffee mixed with hot chocolate. Her husband also wanted "something like a mocha but less bitter". The Barista stared blankly at the guy waiting for him to get all Jeopardy and actually put his comments in the form of a question. "Do you have something less bitter than a standard Mocha?", his wife interpreted. So eventually the girl behind the counter got some kind of order in and then came time to pay… with three separate Starbucks cards. Joy.

    So I figured once I had passed through the process of ordering and paying things would settle down somewhat, but no, the couple was kind enough to grace us (the Baristas had now taken notice of this rather frustrating pair.)with an encore performance. I stand by the counter and start chatting with the girl making my coffee…

"Excuse me, what are you making there?"

"A sugar-free Mocha", was the reply.

After complaining it was too bitter, they had managed to order a sugar-free Mocha!?! I was tempted to inform the lady that sugar, both raw and processed, as well as artificial sweetener and honey were available for their (and at this point my) convenience but to me this would have been like interrupting a performance of the Magic Flute. I was spellbound and wanted to see what happened next. I could tell the Barista was a little perturbed but bless her she suggested a White Chocolate Mocha, which is sweeter (and also helpfully advertised as such of the board).

"Is it less bitter?"

"Yes. It is."

"Oh he'll try that then.."

So the now prepared sugarfree Mocha goes down the drain and the new drink is prepared.

I did get to be helpful at one point because she grabbed a lid and dropped it… into her coffee because it was the wrong size. She looked as though someone had sprung a clever trap on her. I grabbed a correctly sized lid (I know this because the container they were in helpfully said, "For Grande and Venti sized") and handed it to her, receiving a thankful grunt in reply.

So here's too Starbucks and not only their addictive drinks, but also their addictive strangers.