To feel a bit humiliated by this?

[Steaksauce]

I'm travelling for work today and stopped at the Costa place at the train station to grab a quick coffee.
I placed my order (a latte) and gave them my reusable cup.

The two women at the back making the drinks started discussing my order very loudly so I and everyone else in the queue could hear: "god, what's the point in that drink? Any strong drinks in your reusable cup? Perhaps some water?" They then started laughing to each other.

I don't think I'm mega sensitive but I guess I could be (I'm not a morning person so felt at a bit of a low ebb)
But I felt a bit embarrassed and I'm pissed off because they said what they did so loudly and wtf has it got to do with them what I order?
Plus the fact it's pretty shitty service to take the piss out of paying customers when they're right there in front of you.

So AIBU to be annoyed and embarrassed or were they just letting of steam given that they work in retail and we all know that customers can be pretty annoying at times.
(To clarify, I wasn't rude or anything, I politely asked for my order when they asked me for it - though when they gave me my drink I didn't say thanks as that was after the above and I Though if they're going to be rude then why should I thank them for the coffee?)

That is totally weird. Were they very young? Because ime most people order a latte in Costa - it's kind of the go-to drink when you can't be bothered (or don't have time) to read the whole long list of hazelnut enhanced this and that. So complain, because I suspect they will have kept it up for most of the day and you won't be the only one complaining.

Also, don't worry about the rest of the people in the queue. They either won't have been listening - too absorbed in their own lives - or they will have been wondering what the hell the silly mares were on about.

I’m never buying Costa food again I bought a sausage roll and it was was mouldy when I bit into it. Put me off for life.

I think you were to complain, they were unnecessarily rude, and for no reason at all. Costa should be pushing re-usable cups and will not be happy their staff are undermining this.

(Also if you go to Pret instead, you get 50p off for using your own cup and not-infrequently they will choose you as one of their customers to get a free drink.)

Weirdos. When I worked as a barista pretty much half the orders were lattes. They’re still strong with two shots of espresso.

I wish more people would use reusable cups OP and I’m sorry you were made to feel uncomfortable.
I love a latte.
I hope you complain to HO and get a decent response back.

Thanks for all these responses, they make me feel better!
I have complained to head office through their website so I'll see what happens.
My husband said it was the crappest "insult" he's ever heard and that I shouldn't worry.

And thanks for all the reusable cup support. I love my cup and I'm happy to read that so many people are jumping on the reusable cup bandwagon!

Also, there's more than one coffee place in the station, a Starbucks opposite and a couple of independent places down the street so I'll be using one of those next time I'm on the train.

Email a complaint and they'll give you a £5

I have a reusable cup too OP!

And I always order a latte!

Weird. I have no idea what they were on about.

I can only think they were acting giddy about some ongoing joke, and worked your (very innocuous) order into their giddiness?

People are so strange, they often feel the need to comment on how much sugar you like as well.

As if it's any of their business!

I do think Costa need to look at their customer service. I know they are expanding rapidly but the service element shouldn't be lost. I went recently into the newish one by me. Dd wanted a hot chocolate and there were two options. Normal or White chocolate. I asked the server if the White chocolate one would be a white drink or just normal hot chocolate with white chocolate on top. For dd at her age and stage this was quite an important clarification. Anyway the server very offhandedly answered "I dont know I've never tried it". I wish I'd have left at that point but we ordered. And sat down and had the drinks. Which were mediocre at best. Dd didn't want to risk the White chocolate one so we stuck with the normal one. I have no idea why the server wouldn't have asked a colleague if she was unsure. And surely if she knew the menu she could have answered that. I will stick with independent coffee shops from now on. Where staff sometimes actually care.

You should tweet Costa and tell them what happened and how bad you were made to feel ordering from their coffee shop

Babymamamama if the employee didn't know, then what would have happened if you went ahead and ordered it?...they obviously wouldn't have known how to make your daughter's drink...it shows poor training and cutting corners...I hate when there's bad customer service at places like this, they are paid to deal with customers, and if a customer politely asks a question about something they are interested in buying then the least they can do is be polite and helpful back

I'm sorry but I'm with your husband on this. I've read the OP a few times and I cannot figure out where the insult lies. Even if it is insulting, I'd be entirely inclined to let it go. Think about it - are you absolutely entirely perfect at every minute of your job every day? What do you think are the possible consequences for a minimum wage worker on a likely zero hours contract if a customer complains? Do you really think an obscure giggle amongst employees is worth them effectively losing their job so you can feel righteous?

They were dicks. As previous posters have said, I expect those in the queue who weren't oblivious were undoubtedly thinking the staff were dicks and wondering if their own order would get mocked. Poorly.

And more enthusiasm for reusable cups! I took mine in for the first time rather tentatively the other day and was pleased it was treated very ordinarily. Didn't know I could get money off though - thank you for that link and information!

Definitely complain to the manager - how rude

I really dislike Costa's coffee anyway. I see you mention Starbucks. If you look around the station a bit more you might find a really nice coffee instead of one of these not-so-nice coffees.

"Also, there's more than one coffee place in the station, a Starbucks opposite and a couple of independent places down the street so I'll be using one of those next time I'm on the train."

And this is why they should be cracking down on these things even if it is a "rubbish insult" - it can easily become the tiny reason that swapped your buying habits.

I'd complain.

Make your own coffee and put it in a nice steel thermos. That's what I do.

That's really rude of them to make a customer feel small. Ve worked in retail and there's no excuse for making a customer feel as if they are the butt of a joke.

They're supposed to be encouraging people to use reusable cups not sniggering.

It’s a double shot, how much stronger would they like you to have your coffee so it’s acceptable to them? Pair of weirdos.

Yes it was lame, exceptionally so, but I’m glad you complained. You shouldn’t be made to feel embarrassed ordering a latte in Costa FGS.

Sycamore it’s irrelevant how much someone earns, if they don’t want to lose their jobs, they shouldn’t mock the customers. She ordered coffee, in a coffee shop and was ridiculed in front of other customers. They damn well need to be in trouble for that and of course they won’t lose their jobs over it. Mores the outybrealky, when there are others who would like the job and not act like twats.

Mores the outybrealky WTF?

‘More’s the pity’

I have a Costa every Tuesday. Last week's was rubbish and I instantly wished I had asked them to remake it. Felt shy. But I didn't. Today I'm prepared!