Went to one of our favourite places for a cappuccino.
No loyalty cards there, just good coffee, an off the street ambience, and lots of folk talking, sipping and reading.
Waited more than 10 minutes for the coffee - short staffed, and those who had turned up were hassled trying to keep things going.
When it came, the part time barista was apologetic, out of breath and showing early signs of work related stress.
Then the first sip of anticipated heaven - but beneath the aesthetic beauty of the chocolate topped froth the coffee was cold.
Gently and pleasantly I explained to the now near tearful student trying to make ends meet with extra work.
Genuine apologies, immediate promise to replace them and off she went.
Second cup came, as wsonderful to behold as the last one - it too was cold.
There comes a time when you realise that someone else's day is more important than your own.
Asked if this one was OK I lied and said it was just as I liked it.
If drinking tepid coffee with a smile and a fib prevents tears, what the Heaven?
Now as to loyalty cards - they don't do them.
But I don't go there for the loyalty card and the chance of a free coffee - I go for the lovely people who get upset if they don't get it right.
And I will be back :)
You're a better man than I, Gunga Din! (Ok, there's a technical advantage, but you get what I mean). A Good New Year when it comes!
Posted by: chris | December 30, 2012 at 06:37 PM
Hello Chris and wishing you a good and fulfilling New Year. Trust an English teacher to evoke memories of classroom and Kipling - who probably (and probably rightly) is persona non grata in the contemporary classroom - though he would be a good example of what provokes post colonial hermeneutics! As for the tepid coffee - well life has greater hardships, and maybe my smugness cancels any perceived virtue:)
Posted by: Jim Gordon | December 30, 2012 at 07:41 PM