Here is one of the high signs you may be breeching your way into adulthood: you begin receiving Starbucks gift cards from your friends and family on special occasions. This means nothing less than you are now an adult. Forget the rites of passage you may have learned in your anthropology class; getting a $25 coffee house gift card is the easiest way to know high school is history and society actually expects a return from you now. If you doubt this, the next time you’re at Starbucks, just take a quick survey of what the latte-sipping crowd looks like (just don’t stare too long). Not too many teenagers around.
As you excitedly rush to cash in on your gift card, don’t make the mistake of entering this foreign world without the proper manners. Below are some simple rules of etiquette that may save you some embarrassment and help garnish your reputation:
- It’s fashionable to not take longer than 3 seconds to decide what “your drink will be.”
- Realize some places have charming ways of saying “small, medium, large”. Memorize them quickly, and don’t confuse the terms between different shops!
- Ask your barista (server) to clarify drink variations. Most of them are friendly.
- Hang your coat over your chair to cover the crack those low-rider jeans might reveal.
- If you absolutely must rearrange furniture, pick it UP, don’t drag it across the floor.
- Don’t use a chair to hold your book-bag or briefcase if the place is crowded. This is a sure way to annoy people.
The above may help you avoid awkward social situations as you ease your way into the coffee shop scene. Get used to them—they’re useful for meeting people, whether it be for work or for pleasure. Am I missing anything?
Haha love #4
And I must admit, I’m one of those people who ask baristas millions of questions before I order..:/ lol
Nice. I was always wondering why people did cover the back of their chairs with their coats.
This post is welcomed, but it lacks the most important rule (tongue in cheek) which is…..always order espresso or espresso themed drinks. You can get your drip at 7-eleven, McD’s or your favorite gas station, but the reason to even step in a coffee house is for espresso. And feel free to use this rule as a measuring stick for your favorite coffee establishment: if their espresso is not good then the place is not good. Oh, I almost forgot, you can get your drip from Dunkin Donuts, too.
Good stuff Andy.
This is so true. With places like Starbucks at least you know you’ll have relatively the same drink everytime. Other places (depending on server) are roller-coaster rides when it comes to espresso! It is all about the espresso. With you on this one.
Love the rules! I wish someone would post them at the coffee shops.
…definitely guilty of violating Radu’s “most important rule”….those rich, soft, chocolatey chunky cookies sometimes make an otherwise unnecessary detour worth the withering look received upon late arrival to pick up offspring from Buni/Bunu’s….if I’m in a generous mood and buy an extra, the offense is somewhat ameliorated….
…another rule for those with youngsters…when ordering a child’s hot drink I strongly recommend requesting it no hotter than 110 degrees, otherwise you risk the child burning his mouth after quickly slurping through the sweet, foamy whipped cream on top….”been there, done that”
This post is welcomed, but it lacks the most important rule (tongue in cheek) which is…..always order espresso or espresso themed drinks. You can get your drip at 7-eleven, McD’s or your favorite gas station, but the reason to even step in a coffee house is for espresso. And feel free to use this rule as a measuring stick for your favorite coffee establishment: if their espresso is not good then the place is not good. Oh, I almost forgot, you can get your drip from Dunkin Donuts, too.
Good stuff Andy.
Absolutely Bruce, thanks for the comment. Sometimes location will determine what establishment I go to, but otherwise it is the measuring rod you mention that directs my visits. Some people are pretty particular about their drip though—not all drip is equal.