I’ve been thinking lately that, while the Friends list feature they’ve added to the SDMB is nice, what they really need is an Enemies list. If you see a name, and you vaguely remember not liking that person, but can’t remember why, you can just click on your Enemies list, and it’ll say, “Once said something vaguely complementary about George Bush,” or “Not a Princess Bride fan,” and instantly know why you’re supposed to shun that person.
A cafe near my place takes at least 20 minutes to bring your food, even just a sandwich. Now I don’t actually mind this, because at least I know, and I’m happy reading the paper if alone or talking to my friend if not. BUT. They bring the damned tea right away, about two minutes after they take the order. So it either gets cold or drank while I’m waiting for my meal. And no, they don’t do free refills, and anyway, I don’t want two cups of tea, just one with my meal. Grr. Is it really that bloody difficult to realise that people might want to have their tea or coffee with their food, not 20 minutes before?
I’ve taken to asking for both to be served together, but the look I usually get is like I’ve asked for their first born child garnished, pan-fried and served along with my fry-up. For purely pragmatic reasons, I don’t like to piss off people who serve me food so I just sit and fume quietly into my cold tea in a passive British fashion. Gah.
This annoys me too, but I’ve always seen it as a thinly veiled ploy to make you buy an extra drink.
Fortunately, they’re usually pretty good at bringing the food out not long after your drink here, but I have been to places where my coffee has gone very cold long before the food shows up, and then it’s a toss-up between ordering another drink or eating your meal with no drink.
I didn’t mean to imply you were wrong. Your story just reminded me of my experiences. FWIW, your barista sounds like an idiot. I’ve met those. Heck, I’ve worked with those. They generally suck for customers, other baristas as well as managers combined.
I live in an area where the weed flows pretty free and have had some experience with service like this- she sounds like she was just plain high and found the foam irresistibly awesome at the moment.
This might take a little practice, particularly if that one place is the only establishment where it’s a problem, but you could train yourself to say, “Nothing to drink, thanks” (or “Just some water, thanks”). Then when the food arrives, tell the server, “You know, I’ve had a change of heart. Please bring me a hot cuppa. Thanks awfully.”
I just came back to the SDMB after being gone for a few years. I recognize a lot of names but I am having a really hard time remembering if they are old friends or old enemies. A list would really come in handy.
