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Original poster

My coffee order wasn’t weird?

132 replies

MeetyouatMidnight · 09/10/2024 18:34

Went to a local volunteer run cafe and a woman at the till was training someone.

I asked for a black americano with a shot of vanilla.

She looked at me like I was crazy and said “you mean a white americano”. I explained I definitely did not.

(I don’t have dairy and don’t really like any sort of milk in coffee anyway, but I like something to sweeten it. I prefer it to a sweetener.)

she said SO loudly “I’ve never seen that before! A latte or something yes, but really!”

and then the girl started to make it but was getting confused so the woman kept very loudly, in a quiet cafe, banging on about how she would be confused because it was a strange order but the customer is always right…

Am I a freak and I never realised!?!?

OP posts:
AmazingBouncingFerret · 09/10/2024 19:33

I’ve run a coffee shop for ten years now. It’s not an unusual order.

The americano thing is because you can guarantee if someone orders an americano and you don’t give them milk, they ask where their milk is, but if you ask someone if they want milk with their americano, you get a snarky “if I wanted it with milk I wouldn’t have asked for an americano”
Basically, us baristas, can not win. We just make your coffee and smile when you tell us the correct way is the exact opposite of what another customer says is the correct way!

HaddyAbrams · 09/10/2024 19:32

BakedBeansforabrain · 09/10/2024 19:22

Maybe they need a board

But when I want a white coffee I don't want a flat white which is too milky. I want an Americano with a splash of milk.

Other than that the board is fab. I remember as a child there was a café we used to go to as a treat when we were on holiday and I was always allowed a frothy coffee. I would have said "no thank you" to a cappuccino Grin

godmum56 · 09/10/2024 19:30

Whatever her views on your coffee choice, it was not good customer service to comment in that way. If she thought you has misspoken in your order she xcould politely ask you to repeat your order.

HotDogJumpingFrogHaveACookie · 09/10/2024 19:30

I think putting syrup in black coffee is weird. But I'd just think it in my head. The woman was quite rude.

splatmouse · 09/10/2024 19:29

@GeminiGiggles 😆😆
Fancy seeing Niles here on Mumsnet!

bluebirdholiday · 09/10/2024 19:28

I used to work in volunteer management and often (but very definitely not always) the volunteer can be there more for their own needs than the cause.

And sometimes when that is the case there can be a level of social ineptness.

I wonder if that's what was going on.

republicofjam · 09/10/2024 19:25

BusySittingDown · 09/10/2024 18:46

In my coffee, obviously! I don't down it in a shot glass 😂.

😂

EverybodyWantsTo · 09/10/2024 19:23

NeverEnoughPants · 09/10/2024 18:42

You'd think that was the case.

But that's my best mate's drink of choice, and almost every time we go to a cafe, whoever is ordering needs to specify that she wants it black - if we don't specify, either they ask, or they bring a little jug of milk.

Show quote history

This. Although even asking for a black Americano, about 25% of the time I get asked if I want milk with it.

BakedBeansforabrain · 09/10/2024 19:22

Maybe they need a board

My coffee order wasn’t weird?
DrinkElephants · 09/10/2024 19:21

Not what I’d choose. But I don’t think it’s a particularly odd coffee order.

GeminiGiggles · 09/10/2024 19:19

Double Cappuccino, half-caf, non-fat milk, with just enough foam to be aesthetically pleasing but not so much that it leaves a mustache.
Sorry forgive the font I had to copy and paste!

I expected this to be your order. But nope any "normal" coffee with syrup = not a weird order!

SwedishEdith · 09/10/2024 19:01

You used to be able to order an Americano and get a long black coffee. Now you have to specify a "black Americano / coffee" because so many people want white coffees. But it's not an unusual request. And other people seem to like syrup shots in drinks so to be expected.

Coconutter24 · 09/10/2024 19:00

Not a strange order at all. I have a customer who regularly drinks an americano with a syrup. Another regular has an iced americano with a syrup

ahemfem · 09/10/2024 18:55

MeetyouatMidnight · 09/10/2024 18:41

On the board it says white americano/black americano!

Show quote history

That's really weird then.

Perfectly reasonable order Probably not one they get very often but no need for them to act like it's a completely bizarre order.

JagerPlease · 09/10/2024 18:52

Your order is identical to my standard coffee order OP. Although I sometimes vary the syrup to caramel 😁

OnlyFannys · 09/10/2024 18:52

I once went to a pub and ordered a vodka orange and the server said I had to order to something else because he didn't know how to make it 🤷‍♀️

Waiting9 · 09/10/2024 18:50

She sounds passive aggressive

Doyouthinktheyknow · 09/10/2024 18:50

Americano is black coffee so that is strange!

Having said that I am a heathen and always ask for an americano with milk as I just like a little milk in my coffee, nothing too milky for me!

SnapdragonToadflax · 09/10/2024 18:49

BusySittingDown · 09/10/2024 18:39

Well an Americano IS black so you just need to order an Americano with a shot of vanilla. If you want it with milk it is then that you have to specify. You said that you wanted a black Americano - she probably thought that she had misheard or that you had meant to say white but mistakenly said black.

An Americano is black, but they're often served white if you don't specify. It's my partner's usual order so I'm used to being careful to say black. And even then you often get a jug of milk with it.

HaddyAbrams · 09/10/2024 18:47

I don't know anyone who drinks Americano with a syrup shot in either. But then I'm the only person I know who drinks Americano when we're out. Everyone else i know seems to prefer latte/cappuccino.

Nightsleeper129 · 09/10/2024 18:46

devuskums · 09/10/2024 18:43

But how could you order a black latte with vanilla 🤣🤣🤣

?

BusySittingDown · 09/10/2024 18:46

In my coffee, obviously! I don't down it in a shot glass 😂.

BusySittingDown · 09/10/2024 18:45

MeetyouatMidnight · 09/10/2024 18:41

On the board it says white americano/black americano!

Show quote history

Yeah sorry, I misread the OP. I thought she was confused by the black Americano but it was the syrup that had her!

I a sugar free syrup shot all the time.

devuskums · 09/10/2024 18:43

But how could you order a black latte with vanilla 🤣🤣🤣

Original poster
MeetyouatMidnight · 09/10/2024 18:43

BusySittingDown · 09/10/2024 18:40

Ah no, I've misread your OP! She's never seen that before? Really?

Well that was my thinking but you know when someone is so forward in what they say it makes you doubt yourself?

Anyway, glad to have the MN hive mind to reassure me 💖

OP posts: