I could never be a barista...making a living by asking people how much FOAM they wanted.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

That's why I probably enjoy my job...foam seldom, if ever, enters the picture.

[7wo7rees]

1. It's not for everyone.

So. One latte then?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

6. Several friends have enlightened me regarding the talent required

It's just not my dance, I could never do it.

I rarely go these places, but when I do, the majority of people who wait on me are friendly, welcoming, and go out of their way to provide a positive experience. Example...I went into Starbucks with my metal "car thermal coffee mug," and asked for a tall coffee, and the person behind the counter said "Here, let me rinse that out for you," and did so with the water they were using for tea, so it was HOT.

I always leave a tip.

But I could never be the one waiting on the hipster / slacker douchebags I see frequenting these places. If I had to stand behind that counter I'd be suicidal 24/7, which makes me respect the people who CAN do it, and do it well.

[hobbit709]

2. I don't do fru-fru coffee

Especially way overpriced fru-fru coffee.

[rrneck]

3. A coffee order should not be a paragraph long. nt

[Chan790]

4. A cup of coffee shouldn't start with Folger's crystals either.

It's barely a sentence at its' longest unless one has no idea what one is ordering.

It's a lot like diner speak, one either knows what a "flat white" is or one orders a "two-shot no-foam latte"; one either knows that a "1-shot, 2 pump mocha, 2 pump white mocha, whole milk, no whip" is a "solo zebra" or one is forced to describe what they want. What I did for years (and apparently 7wo 7rees does now) is an art-form and bugger on you if you can't appreciate it. :P

[rrneck]

5. You have a good point

There is an art for each of our five senses. The culinary arts can be just as sophisticated as any of the others. I guess what bugs me is when we demand a high level of craftsmanship (and customer service) designed for personal preference instead of personal growth. It seems decadent to me.

Of course I won't hesitate to drop two bucks on a "cuppa joe" either.

[AsahinaKimi]

7. I once applied to Peet's Coffee

Its kinda like Starbucks, but some people think its better. During the interview, the manager asked me after a long series of questions, that he seemed satisfied with, "Can you be here at 4:30 in the morning to start making coffee?" I said, "Sure, as long as I get the first cup!" and I laughed. He didn't think it was funny, and never returned my phone calls.

[Chan790]

8. I'd have laughed.

I used to tell my employees I scheduled myself until noon because I wasn't awake until 11am and I saw no good reason to waste good waking hours at work.