starbucks

Remember when I was in Hawaii, I couldn't find "short" sized drinks because it wasn't on their menu? Then reader, Whitney pointed out that they do have "short" you just have to ask for it.

Well, recently the Starbucks here came out with a Dark Mocha Frappucino. It tasted like a rich fudgesicle. I had forgotten about being able to order a "short" and unconciously ordered the "tall" which is noted on their menu. But the "tall" is too much, it gets boring half-way through.

Then, I saw people walking around with "short" frappucinos and made a note that the next time I wanted one I would order a "short".

I was surprised.

Usually the Japanese barista along with all store workers in other shops like the beauty parlor, restaurants--yell out everything. Actually it is kind of embarassing when you go into a place alone, they yell to everyone in the restaurant..."table for 1". Even when they drop something on the floor and it makes a ruckus, they yell "sorry for the disturbance". At the beauty salon, when you are done coloring or cutting your hair and need to walk over to the sink to be washed, they yell "O-tsukaresama" (you worked so hard!) Or when I was in a library-like atmosphere bookstore the other week, I quietly asked if they had a restroom and the clerk yelled out, "no we don't have a restroom here". All in all, they feel this is customer service but I think it is just unnecessary jabber and unnecessary embarassment for me.

Anyway, I was surprised, because when I ordered the "short" frappucino which isn't noted on the menu, they whispered it to the barista. Like it was a sin to order something so small.

I guess there are just some things in this country I won't understand.

Hope you have a good week.