Comments on: Coffee Etiquette and the Ghetto Latte http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/ a good girl's notebook of her culinary world Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:01:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: danny meyers http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-23561 danny meyers Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:00:07 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-23561 Excuse me..."Iced quad venti breve latte???" Are we drinkin' joe here or practicing for our Latin final? Will everyone get real??? It's coffee dammit! Excuse me…”Iced quad venti breve latte???” Are we drinkin’ joe here or practicing for our Latin final? Will everyone get real??? It’s coffee dammit!

]]> By: Paulina http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-18606 Paulina Wed, 13 Dec 2006 06:22:44 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-18606 If all you're trying to do is save money, you're sure getting a really crappy drink for all the effort. The milk/cream would be cold, no? And it would taste differently, too, since steamed milk tastes different than regular milk. If all you're trying to do is be a "rebel" and cheat Starbucks or whoever out of your money, you're actually going to a lot of effort for nothing, since they're still making money off you until you actually stop going to the shop. Personally, I don't see what the baristas are getting so upset about. If people really want to drink two ounces of coffee with ten ounces of cold milk, let them. All they're getting is crappy coffee. All you're getting is one less "rebel" asshat to deal with. I know that's the way I look at it. If all you’re trying to do is save money, you’re sure getting a really crappy drink for all the effort. The milk/cream would be cold, no? And it would taste differently, too, since steamed milk tastes different than regular milk. If all you’re trying to do is be a “rebel” and cheat Starbucks or whoever out of your money, you’re actually going to a lot of effort for nothing, since they’re still making money off you until you actually stop going to the shop.

Personally, I don’t see what the baristas are getting so upset about. If people really want to drink two ounces of coffee with ten ounces of cold milk, let them. All they’re getting is crappy coffee. All you’re getting is one less “rebel” asshat to deal with. I know that’s the way I look at it.

]]> By: Mary Sue http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-18542 Mary Sue Tue, 12 Dec 2006 23:43:34 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-18542 I don't call it a ghetto latte. I call it, "Dear GOD I hate the taste of your coffee and therefore must add about a quarter cup of sugar and some cream to make it palatable" Now, having said that, I am heavy-handed with the coffee and cream at any place where I get coffee (at church I'm the person who ensures there's plenty of creamer and sugar packets for everyone-- because I figure I'm back there in the supply cabinet, I'll get some for everyone). I'm always careful to leave enough for others or alert the baristas if there's a lack somewhere, and I clean up after myself. But until the American coffee-making chains get with it and start serving me a good Cubano, I will attack their sugar dispensers and show no mercy! I don’t call it a ghetto latte. I call it, “Dear GOD I hate the taste of your coffee and therefore must add about a quarter cup of sugar and some cream to make it palatable”

Now, having said that, I am heavy-handed with the coffee and cream at any place where I get coffee (at church I’m the person who ensures there’s plenty of creamer and sugar packets for everyone– because I figure I’m back there in the supply cabinet, I’ll get some for everyone). I’m always careful to leave enough for others or alert the baristas if there’s a lack somewhere, and I clean up after myself.

But until the American coffee-making chains get with it and start serving me a good Cubano, I will attack their sugar dispensers and show no mercy!

]]> By: Kate http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-17841 Kate Fri, 08 Dec 2006 03:44:21 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-17841 At my local coffee shop a french soda costs about a dollar more than an italian soda, the only difference of course being a bit of cream. The barista there has advised us to order the italian soda and add our own half and half at the condiment station. I don't feel bad at all about doing it, the condiments are there for you to use, and I spend plenty of money there on a regular basis between drinks and food. At my local coffee shop a french soda costs about a dollar more than an italian soda, the only difference of course being a bit of cream. The barista there has advised us to order the italian soda and add our own half and half at the condiment station.

I don’t feel bad at all about doing it, the condiments are there for you to use, and I spend plenty of money there on a regular basis between drinks and food.

]]> By: Tiff http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-17432 Tiff Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:04:15 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-17432 Starbucks buy some fairtrade coffee as a nod towards acceptability, but that's about as far as it goes... I wouldn't buy anything from Starbucks to be honest. Even if they were an ethical company, their coffee tastes like it's got ashtray dregs in it. blerrrrrrgggg. They used to supply my office with coffee in Whistler.. ugh. vileness. I've never heard of this ghetto-ising phenomenomenomenom but then I don't go in the big chains to buy coffee.. Starbucks buy some fairtrade coffee as a nod towards acceptability, but that’s about as far as it goes…

I wouldn’t buy anything from Starbucks to be honest. Even if they were an ethical company, their coffee tastes like it’s got ashtray dregs in it. blerrrrrrgggg. They used to supply my office with coffee in Whistler.. ugh. vileness. I’ve never heard of this ghetto-ising phenomenomenomenom but then I don’t go in the big chains to buy coffee..

]]> By: Jeanne http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-17417 Jeanne Wed, 06 Dec 2006 11:27:22 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-17417 LOL - I had never heard of either a ghetto latte or the Starbucks gossip blog! On the one hand, I can see why people do it - the markups at Starbucks are just silly and iced drinks are completely exorbitant for what you get as far as I'm concerned. But on the other hand, there is something about it that seems wrong on some level. There is the obvious argument that it creates hassles for the staff who have to refill the dairy cannisters all the time and for customers, who a) have to wait for the cannisters to be filled and b) can't be served their dirnk by a barista who has to leave the counter to go and fill the cannister. But there's also the argument that if you did it at a mom & pop store it would be theft, but because it's Starbucks it's somehow OK - and that's just not a rational argument. If you don't like or agree with Starbucks business principles/prices/whatever... just don't go there! But going there to "beat the system" and get their coffee at a lower price because you don't like the success of the company is just loopy. I personally wouldn't do it because it reminds me of people who go to a buffet and then pack a huge doggie bag of food because they feel they haven't eaten their money's worth. Ew. LOL – I had never heard of either a ghetto latte or the Starbucks gossip blog! On the one hand, I can see why people do it – the markups at Starbucks are just silly and iced drinks are completely exorbitant for what you get as far as I’m concerned. But on the other hand, there is something about it that seems wrong on some level. There is the obvious argument that it creates hassles for the staff who have to refill the dairy cannisters all the time and for customers, who a) have to wait for the cannisters to be filled and b) can’t be served their dirnk by a barista who has to leave the counter to go and fill the cannister. But there’s also the argument that if you did it at a mom & pop store it would be theft, but because it’s Starbucks it’s somehow OK – and that’s just not a rational argument. If you don’t like or agree with Starbucks business principles/prices/whatever… just don’t go there! But going there to “beat the system” and get their coffee at a lower price because you don’t like the success of the company is just loopy. I personally wouldn’t do it because it reminds me of people who go to a buffet and then pack a huge doggie bag of food because they feel they haven’t eaten their money’s worth. Ew.

]]> By: Nicole http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-17335 Nicole Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:59:03 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-17335 This practice isn't just limited to Starbucks. At my college, people buy or bring cereal without milk and poach it from the milk used for coffee. This is forbidden apparently and there are signs telling people this. I guess you could call it "ghetto cereal"? I think though that given how expensive college is these days though, students should be able to do that. This practice isn’t just limited to Starbucks. At my college, people buy or bring cereal without milk and poach it from the milk used for coffee. This is forbidden apparently and there are signs telling people this. I guess you could call it “ghetto cereal”?
I think though that given how expensive college is these days though, students should be able to do that.

]]> By: Shelly http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-17331 Shelly Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:04:08 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-17331 I say poach away! I did read that Starbucks is buying fair trade coffee now...if that is true I would not feel bad about paying so much for a beverage there. I say poach away! I did read that Starbucks is buying fair trade coffee now…if that is true I would not feel bad about paying so much for a beverage there.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-17324 Brandon Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:15:24 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-17324 We all have better things to do than worry about the profits of enormous corporations and the guilt you feel is an insidious form of marketing, don't you think? I've always defended Starbucks ever since I realized that suddenly it was possible to get a good, really good, cup of coffee anywhere in the world. For the younger generation who doesn't remember before Starbucks went national and then international, this was a very big deal indeed, from small places like where I live in Virginia to big cities like London, where the coffee was always crap. But I do resent the enormous mark-up trend Starbucks started! Wholesale coffee and milk just isn't all that expensive and even the little guys have a nice little profit margin if they can keep people coming through the door instead of going down the street to Starbucks. I want the little coffee shops to succeed too but I just can't feel guilty about this--3 bucks for coffee is ridiculous. We all have better things to do than worry about the profits of enormous corporations and the guilt you feel is an insidious form of marketing, don’t you think? I’ve always defended Starbucks ever since I realized that suddenly it was possible to get a good, really good, cup of coffee anywhere in the world. For the younger generation who doesn’t remember before Starbucks went national and then international, this was a very big deal indeed, from small places like where I live in Virginia to big cities like London, where the coffee was always crap.

But I do resent the enormous mark-up trend Starbucks started! Wholesale coffee and milk just isn’t all that expensive and even the little guys have a nice little profit margin if they can keep people coming through the door instead of going down the street to Starbucks. I want the little coffee shops to succeed too but I just can’t feel guilty about this–3 bucks for coffee is ridiculous.

]]> By: threemilechild http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/comment-page-1/#comment-17285 threemilechild Tue, 05 Dec 2006 01:35:37 +0000 http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2006/12/04/coffee-etiquette-and-the-ghetto-latte/#comment-17285 I only recently had Starbucks coffee for the first time; I was on a long bus trip and thought I'd get myself a treat and buy a mocha. I ended up pitching it and walking across the parking lot to get some plain coffee from the gas station. I did note the sign warning me there'd be whipped cream and I asked for it without, but... eegh. It was sweet and tasted burnt. I only recently had Starbucks coffee for the first time; I was on a long bus trip and thought I’d get myself a treat and buy a mocha. I ended up pitching it and walking across the parking lot to get some plain coffee from the gas station.

I did note the sign warning me there’d be whipped cream and I asked for it without, but… eegh. It was sweet and tasted burnt.

]]>