Chai and change
I remember, at one point about 10 years ago, walking into a Starbucks and being instantly annoyed. I wanted to order a straightforward coffee; instead, what was presented to me was a perplexing cacophony of lattes and mochachinos and frothy whippy fluff. The teens behind the counter referred to themselves as baristas, and used “grande” and “venti” to describe drink sizes.
“There is not a person in this place who has set foot in Italy,” I muttered. “Just call a small a small and let me order my caffeine.”
Fast forward to yesterday, when I strode into the Starbucks outside our building and, without hesitation, ordered a grande non-fat two-pump chai latte. If my twenty-something self had been there at that moment, I’m pretty sure he would have kidney-punched me.
photo credit: Chris Owens
Don’t forget to add that you paid with your pre-paid Starbucks card on your iPhone. Brings it to a whole other level!
I had hoped to gloss over that little detail, but you are correct. It’s definitely a whole new level.