“Secret” things you ask for in shops

[PantTwizzler]

I realised today in Clarks (while buying shoes for DD who had bare feet necessitating asking for their pop socks) that there are some things you can ask for in shops that aren’t advertised but are available. Pop socks is a boring example because they’d probably offer anyway, but there’s also
— garlic oil in Pizza Express
— getting your cappuccino “extra hot”

Ok it’s a short list. Is there anything else?!

It's moved on but I always ask for my coffee 'extra-hot' because I was utterly fed up with paying ££ for a cup of undrinkable tepid bleugh that ends up stone-cold within 2 minutes. I like my coffee hot not lukewarm.

Most of the time 'extra-hot' just means it's an acceptable temperature in my view.

I need a fish kettle in my life!

Extra hot is scalded milk - it has a completely different (disgusting) taste.

Home style is also called Desi style. It's hard to explain, but it is hotter and spicier and not as creamy. Unfortunately, I've had some odd reactions when I have ordered either this or 'home style'.

Most Italian restaurants will do pasta with a plain tomato sauce (pomodori) even if it isn’t on the menu.

If you go to a ‘proper’ coffee shop you can also take their old coffee grounds for free to use on your garden
Caffeine suppresses plant growth and can also kill soil bacteria and worms. And it acidifies the soil, so while roses and camellias etc might cope with it, any plants that aren’t acid-loving will die.

My DH asks for curry extra saucy with fresh green chilled on (makes me cringe).

Then my SIL asks for a cheese naan with less cheese🤷🏻‍♀️I don't get involved when she's asks for that.

@Theweasleytwins oh dear I have been known to nibble a little bit; not in the shop though.

Dry and fizzy on your tongue, it's all about the texture rather than the taste.

Gluten free now so I don't buy it anymore ☹️

They may nod sagely, but inside they’ll be thinking why do that to a nice coffee. Unless it’s somewhere where the coffee is secondary. Extra hot is like a well done steak. It’s totally possible but why?

I don't really care what the barista thinks in this scenario. In the fancy coffee places near me, flat whites come lukewarm as standard; if I ask for extra hot I actually just get a decently hot coffee, not one with burned milk.

If you ask for chips/fries with no salt in fast food places you'll get hotter, crispier, freshly cooked ones. Add salt afterwards if you like!

ScottishDoll - hence the expression 'that's a different kettle of fish', that's where it comes from.

We were given a fish kettle as a wedding present nearly thirty years ago. I've used it for asparagus, too (not at the same time as fish).

I don't know that it's a secret, but when I'm in a restaurant and watching the calories, or don't want a menu starter, I always ask for a "green salad" for my starter and they always produce one. Mostly very nice, they obviously put a bit of effort into it.

I live in Italy and you can basically ask for anything if the ingredients are already on the menu. We often ask for bolognese sauce as my son is really fussy and they always seem to have some prepared. This morning I had a cappuccino "hot but drinkable straightaway". He got it just right! Parsley is often given for free at the greengrocers.

Baristas sometimes have a wee thermometer that you put in the milk jug Did anybody else think "but I don't want a wee thermometer near my milk?

@Pinkyponkcustard

OMG scraps! Best bit of a chippy tea, yummy.

Dh is Italian and apparently cappuccinos are served luke warm so they can be drunk quickly with a pastry and be on their way to work.

I always asked for multo Caldo, extra hot when we lived in Italy.

@mantelpiece I used to ask for an Americano with pouring cream and most coffee shops did oblige - been a few years but might be worth a try. I know Starbucks definitely did.

‘Wee thermometer’😆 why would anyone want to know the temperature of your wee?

The only people I would roll my eyes at are the ones who order a 'special' coffee like a hot latte, no froth but don't realise they are just ordering a stock standard flat white

Sure, but you can only buy little flat whites in most places!

I love a good noisette but I am never sure whether asking for a noisette will make sense, even if French restaurants and I worry about looking like a dick 😂

Extra hot is scalded milk - it has a completely different (disgusting) taste

Nope, my coffee tastes just fine. And hot.

You can customise any McDonald's burger/wrap, etc. There's even a button for it on their self order screens.
You can also order an extra pot of pickles on the side. Some charge 20p for this, but others give it for free.

Most supermarkets offer free yeast at the bakery, and will let you hire glasses, etc, often with just a deposit.

DD always has ‘staff curry’ from curry houses. Usually meat on the bone.

Nope, my coffee tastes just fine. And hot.

Yes, I often ask for 'extra hot' because I just want something that will stay warmish for 5 minutes. And saying, "Could you make sure it's hot this time please" or something along those lines would be rather rude.

There was a discussion on this on a radio show I listen to a few weeks ago. I forget the specifics but there were various people who spoke of secret things you could ask for but were known by employees. There were quite a few examples including something that I forget from Mac Donald’s which was completely different to personalising/existing the menu but seemed to be something many (but no all) staff were aware of and could do. Wish I could remember it now!

Most supermarkets offer free yeast at the bakery, and will let you hire glasses, etc, often with just a deposit.

Having just read a few things above about the optician I was momentarily confused wondering why/how you could/would hire [eye] glasses from the supermarket .