[KT-Williams]

They can't stuff up with a name like 'Kylie' easy for me..

But if u have an unusual name, or spelling, just say ur name is Jane / John no biggie, u come in for a coffee, who cares if they ask u your name, it's not the persons fault serving you, they are just doing their job as to company's policy.
As long as he/she makes a good coffee/latte and it's done in an efficient time is all i worry about...

Kyls

[welwynrose]

Just say you're Spartacus

[newda898]

Originally Posted by Glengavel

At a Starbucks in Glasgow the barista asked one customer for his name, and somebody in the queue shouted "don't tell him Pike!"

Love it! I can only imagine some confused looks from the younger crowd in the shop.

[fickrick]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSteve

You are mad because they wanted to know your name so your coffee doesn't get served to someone else? That is kinda odd to be mad about, but hey you guys are free to be angry about anything you want I guess.

If the staff are half decent there will not be a huge amount of people waiting for their coffee and thr waiting public all mill about the end of the counter anyway and will know their place in the queue. Other coffee chains manage it just fine and make their customers feel valued

[neo_wales]

'Barista' is Italian for bartender, why use the term over here, its a coffee shop for crying out loud, its not even good coffee

I suppose the Media Study/Sports Science/Womens Studies/Equality graduates working in them like a 'posh' title though

[noise747]

i have not been in a starbucks for a few years now, but the last one I went into, I just told them what I wanted and waited at the counter for them to make it. so how can they not know who I am?


Nero, well here at least, again, i just wait until the coffee is ready, same with costa.

I never been in our local Starbucks, i refuse to.

Nero coffee is pretty good, it is strongish which is how I like it. Sure i make better coffee at home, but I can't do that when I am out.

[epicurian]

Originally Posted by neo_wales

'Barista' is Italian for bartender, why use the term over here, its a coffee shop for crying out loud, its not even good coffee

I suppose the Media Study/Sports Science/Womens Studies/Equality graduates working in them like a 'posh' title though

It's loanword from another language. English is full of them.

Bar: Long counter or table where drinks are served.

Coffee is a drink. How highly you rate it, is beside the point.

[neo_wales]

Originally Posted by epicurian

It's loanword from another language. English is full of them.

Bar: Long counter or table where drinks are served.

Coffee is a drink. How highly you rate it, is beside the point.

But we're not in Italy, they are counter staff in a UK coffee shop, simple as that (the coffee is pee poor). What should I call the fella who sells hot pork rolls at the market "Chef de Porc" I suppose

[Rorschach]

Originally Posted by Glengavel

At a Starbucks in Glasgow the barista asked one customer for his name, and somebody in the queue shouted "don't tell him Pike!"

Aparently another fine example was a customer giving the name "Voldemort" and the staff writing "He Who Must Not Be Named" on his cup

[Inspiration]

I was stood behind a guy the other day who said, when asked, "I'd rather I didn't give you my name if it's all the same with you" in an arsey tone. I thought to myself "You d**k" .. they're only doing their job. What bloody harm does it do that they know your name. Some people are so uptight in this country.

[jmclaugh]

Perhaps everyone should just say Dick.

[epicurian]

Originally Posted by neo_wales

But we're not in Italy, they are counter staff in a UK coffee shop, simple as that (the coffee is pee poor). What should I call the fella who sells hot pork rolls at the market "Chef de Porc" I suppose

Are you really getting het up over this? You can call them whatever you want. I doubt they'll care. And a lot of people like the coffee, so your personal opinion isn't a factor. Speaking as a coffee (quasi)snob, the attempts at snobbery when it comes to Starbucks are really funny. I remember going into a Costa in Scarborough, and when the guy serving me, the manager no less, heard my accent he asked where I was from. I told him I was from Seattle and from there he started slating our coffee, ignorantly believing all we drink is Starbucks. What great customer service, I thought! Fishing for compliments, he asked me how I thought S'bux compared with Costa. I told him I didn't think there was much between the two. Both oversized chains with minimally trained staff, and ok beans. At least Starbucks uses 100% arabica. lol His face was a picture. Nero is marginally better, but I wouldn't write home about it.

Like I said, "barista" is a loanword, like so many other words from other languages that work their way into English, and find themselves in common parlance; so while it's not wrong to use it, you are under no obligation to do so. We've been saying it for at least 20 years where I'm from and nobody gets their knickers in a twist, it's just part of the zeitgeist!

[big_hard_lad]

I have to say, Starbucks coffee is notoriously poor...even in comparison to other chains, it's terrible.

[Beau_Soir]

Originally Posted by epicurian

Are you really getting het up over this? You can call them whatever you want. I doubt they'll care. And a lot of people like the coffee, so your personal opinion isn't a factor. Speaking as a coffee (quasi)snob, the attempts at snobbery when it comes to Starbucks are really funny. I remember going into a Costa in Scarborough, and when the guy serving me, the manager no less, heard my accent he asked where I was from. I told him I was from Seattle and from there he started slating our coffee, ignorantly believing all we drink is Starbucks. What great customer service, I thought! Fishing for compliments, he asked me how I thought S'bux compared with Costa. I told him I didn't think there was much between the two. Both oversized chains with minimally trained staff, and ok beans. At least Starbucks uses 100% arabica. lol His face was a picture. Nero is marginally better, but I wouldn't write home about it.

Like I said, "barista" is a loanword, like so many other words from other languages that work their way into English, and find themselves in common parlance; so while it's not wrong to use it, you are under no obligation to do so. We've been saying it for at least 20 years where I'm from and nobody gets their knickers in a twist, it's just part of the zeitgeist!

A great response to a very ignorant post.
I would however disagree with your point about Nero, I find it streets ahead of the other two and I say that as complete coffee snob (it's all about the crema!) which brings me to my next point about independent coffee shops. I try and use them where I can, but the one time in Camden I popped into a quaint looking place and ordered my coffee. It arrived without crema, when I enquired what had happened to it, the guy looked puzzled, when he finally understood, he said 'oh that bit, I scraped it off and threw it in the sink, it didn't look nice'
My favourite coffee is coconut roasted stuff, delicious. And always beans for me ground at home as and when needed.

[epicurian]

Originally Posted by Beau_Soir

A great response to a very ignorant post.
I would however disagree with your point about Nero, I find it streets ahead of the other two and I say that as complete coffee snob (it's all about the crema!) which brings me to my next point about independent coffee shops. I try and use them where I can, but the one time in Camden I popped into a quaint looking place and ordered my coffee. It arrived without crema, when I enquired what had happened to it, the guy looked puzzled, when he finally understood, he said 'oh that bit, I scraped it off and threw it in the sink, it didn't look nice'
My favourite coffee is coconut roasted stuff, delicious. And always beans for me ground at home as and when needed.

Ahhhh! That's sacrilegious! I worked for a local coffee company in Seattle for years, and our mantra was to, "preserve and protect the crema." And we timed our shots, which is so important. I'll concede your point about Nero, but on their website they say they use robusta in their blend for the sake of the crema. That I disagree with that, as in my own experience behind the bar, the cream we achieved using 100% Arabica was superb. With the right blend, roast, grind, water temperature, tamp, and of course and quality, high-pressure, pump driven machine, cheap robusta shouldn't be necessary. I know some people argue it adds depth, but I'm not convinced of that either. That being said, one of my favorite espressos in Seattle was the Dolce blend from Espresso Vivace, and up until a few years ago, it included a small amount of mild robusta. They've since dropped it, believing it wasn't really helping them in their quest for the perfect shot.

My favorite beans are the floral and fruity Kenya AA and Tanzanian peaberry (when it's available). And my favorite coffee shop in Britain is Caffe Vergnano. I make a beeline for it whenever I'm in London.

[Beau_Soir]

Originally Posted by epicurian

Ahhhh! That's sacrilegious! I worked for a local coffee company in Seattle for years, and our mantra was to, "preserve and protect the crema." And we timed our shots, which is so important. I'll concede your point about Nero, but on their website they say they use robusta in their blend for the sake of the crema. That I disagree with that, as in my own experience behind the bar, the cream we achieved using 100% Arabica was superb. With the right blend, roast, grind, water temperature, tamp, and of course and quality, high-pressure, pump driven machine, cheap robusta shouldn't be necessary. I know some people argue it adds depth, but I'm not convinced of that either. That being said, one of my favorite espressos in Seattle was the Dolce blend from Espresso Vivace, and up until a few years ago, it included a small amount of mild robusta. They've since dropped it, believing it wasn't really helping them in their quest for the perfect shot.

My favorite beans are the floral and fruity Kenya AA and Tanzanian peaberry (when it's available). And my favorite coffee shop in Britain is Caffe Vergnano. I make a beeline for it whenever I'm in London.

Perhaps surprisingly, McDonald's do good coffee. Caffe Vergnano is one of my favourite spots, closely followed by Monmouth. I am always amazed that Starbucks remains so popular, it is quite possibly some of the worst coffee I've tasted, and they've only recently started doing two shots as standard.

[noise747]

Originally Posted by Beau_Soir

Perhaps surprisingly, McDonald's do good coffee. Caffe Vergnano is one of my favourite spots, closely followed by Monmouth. I am always amazed that Starbucks remains so popular, it is quite possibly some of the worst coffee I've tasted, and they've only recently started doing two shots as standard.

What on earth do Mucky D know about coffee? they can only just about make what they call a burger.

[noise747]

Originally Posted by epicurian

Ahhhh! That's sacrilegious! I worked for a local coffee company in Seattle for years, and our mantra was to, "preserve and protect the crema." And we timed our shots, which is so important. I'll concede your point about Nero, but on their website they say they use robusta in their blend for the sake of the crema. That I disagree with that, as in my own experience behind the bar, the cream we achieved using 100% Arabica was superb. With the right blend, roast, grind, water temperature, tamp, and of course and quality, high-pressure, pump driven machine, cheap robusta shouldn't be necessary. I know some people argue it adds depth, but I'm not convinced of that either. That being said, one of my favorite espressos in Seattle was the Dolce blend from Espresso Vivace, and up until a few years ago, it included a small amount of mild robusta. They've since dropped it, believing it wasn't really helping them in their quest for the perfect shot.

My favorite beans are the floral and fruity Kenya AA and Tanzanian peaberry (when it's available). And my favorite coffee shop in Britain is Caffe Vergnano. I make a beeline for it whenever I'm in London.

Even i can get a Crema with 100% Arabica with my espresso maker and it was not that expensive, but I do need a new one.

Nice to have mixed blend anyway, lots of nice coffee around that is not well known, like Malawi Mzuzu Geisha i also like Thai Doi Chaang Peaberry, i never heard of Tanzanian peaberry.

[Osusana]

Originally Posted by noise747

Even i can get a Crema with 100% Arabica with my espresso maker and it was not that expensive, but I do need a new one.

Nice to have mixed blend anyway, lots of nice coffee around that is not well known, like Malawi Mzuzu Geisha i also like Thai Doi Chaang Peaberry, i never heard of Tanzanian peaberry.

I have a Gaggia bean to cup machine that does an amazing crema.
My favourite bean at the moment is an Australian Skyberry, yep I didn't know they had good coffee either! It's from the rainforest area of Queensland - a medium smooth one

[Welsh-lad]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSteve

You are mad because they wanted to know your name so your coffee doesn't get served to someone else? That is kinda odd to be mad about, but hey you guys are free to be angry about anything you want I guess.

because it's fakery. Awful insincere corporate faux-chumminess.
Sinks like a brick in the UK.... and so it should.

If they need the drink to get to someone, give them a table number.... like we've done for a hundred years.

[honey*]

I would love to say "bob" in a blackadder style...
I'm a costa girl usually but it's worth windin em up

[noise747]

Originally Posted by Osusana

I have a Gaggia bean to cup machine that does an amazing crema.
My favourite bean at the moment is an Australian Skyberry, yep I didn't know they had good coffee either! It's from the rainforest area of Queensland - a medium smooth one

But that is all automatic, no fun in that at all, it is like a posh version of those coffee pod machines, which I do have, but only for quickness in the morning.


i would like something like this, sadly they are a bit too expensive, i could buy one, but not a good idea. i will get a better pump based one at some point, maybe one of the Gaggia models.

[welwynrose]

Originally Posted by noise747

But that is all automatic, no fun in that at all, it is like a posh version of those coffee pod machines, which I do have, but only for quickness in the morning.


i would like something like this, sadly they are a bit too expensive, i could buy one, but not a good idea. i will get a better pump based one at some point, maybe one of the Gaggia models.

Something like that is on the OH wish list as well

[neo_wales]

Originally Posted by epicurian

Are you really getting het up over this? You can call them whatever you want. I doubt they'll care. And a lot of people like the coffee, so your personal opinion isn't a factor. Speaking as a coffee (quasi)snob, the attempts at snobbery when it comes to Starbucks are really funny. I remember going into a Costa in Scarborough, and when the guy serving me, the manager no less, heard my accent he asked where I was from. I told him I was from Seattle and from there he started slating our coffee, ignorantly believing all we drink is Starbucks. What great customer service, I thought! Fishing for compliments, he asked me how I thought S'bux compared with Costa. I told him I didn't think there was much between the two. Both oversized chains with minimally trained staff, and ok beans. At least Starbucks uses 100% arabica. lol His face was a picture. Nero is marginally better, but I wouldn't write home about it.

Like I said, "barista" is a loanword, like so many other words from other languages that work their way into English, and find themselves in common parlance; so while it's not wrong to use it, you are under no obligation to do so. We've been saying it for at least 20 years where I'm from and nobody gets their knickers in a twist, it's just part of the zeitgeist!

Like I said, we ain't in Italy In America I could expect it, I have lived there (and had a wonderful time), in the UK? No, they are coffee bar assistants. I don't care much about giving my name, you don't have to give your real one do you but then I don't go in these places so its all academic really.

The likes of Starbucks have done the States good in terms of getting a 'good' coffee to drink, thirty years ago most coffee over there was like hot pee, its getting better out there but still has a long way to go to catch up with many parts of Europe where good coffee is just the standard norm.

[big_hard_lad]

Originally Posted by noise747

What on earth do Mucky D know about coffee? they can only just about make what they call a burger.

I would have a McD's coffee over a Starbucks any day of the week. The McD's coffee is surprisingly excellent.