oh starbucks...

First I must explain why I would be in line at Starbucks in the first place. I had to make copies out of some reference books for my presentation on Hysteria tonight in my Disease in Society class and the library only had a $5 bill meaning it was either put $15 dollars on my card, enough for 150 copies which I don't think I'd ever make or go get change. Starbucks was close and open so I decided I could give Starbucks the tiny bit of profit off a Sobe Lifewater (it's not like my boycott has put them out of business yet, I hoped the minuscule bit I was giving them wouldn't save them).

So, there I stood, face red and contemplating my choice over and over again wondering what me giving in and buying this water said about me and my morals. If I'm willing to buy something from Starbucks without being forced what am I going to do next, try pickles?? But, I stayed in line and as I approached the counter I noticed the cashier step away, I

thought to make the Cappuccino that had just been ordered. For those who don't know or realize what a cappuccino is supposed to be it is espresso with creamy FOAM from steamed milk. A dry capp has almost no milk and only foam, a wet capp has more milk less foam (this is the definition given both by Websters dictionary and the food dictionary online, in addition to being common knowledge among coffee connoisseurs). The picture to the right shows this ratio vs that of a latte. To make this kind of foam you need to steam the milk in a very particular way and pay close attention to detail, however the woman who went to make this persons cappuccino simply poured milk into a dirty milk pitcher and stuck it under the steam nozzle and walked back to ring up my water paying no attention to the steaming milk.

I didn't know what to do. The barista in me just about sprinted around the counter to try to save this drink. When she asked me if the water was all for me and I had no words. I just stared at the milk and then asked if she needed to pay attention to the steaming milk, "it's ok I'm in no rush I can wait." When she said "oh no I'm just getting that milk nice and warm for a cappuccino," I thought I was going to cry. I handed her my money while still unable to take my eyes off the pitcher of milk that should have been ruined and not given to a customer she finally asked, "are you sure you don't want something else?" I said, "no" took my change and walked away with a deep pain in my heart thinking of that poor person drinking that inadequate

cappuccino and then I felt even worse when I thought, "wait, does that person think that's acceptable as a cappuccino? Do they not know that they are drinking a latte (and a poorly made one at that and not a cappuccino?"

My thoughts then transferred from frustration and I must admit a bit of anger to sorrow. The simple thought that this poor man was convinced of a lie, he believed it, he embraced it and he paid big bucks for it and didn't even know what he was missing out on was simply heartbreaking to me. I, though, said nothing. I am just as much to blame for the drink fiasco for idly standing by and watching the travesty take place. How many times do I stand idly by watching people around succumb to the lies of this world and say nothing? I watch people who think partying, alcohol, friends, a relationship, or whatever else is the answer, they think it's the real thing, their cappuccino, when in actuality it's simply a milky latte. It's not bold. It's not strong. It's not pure. It's just milky and they don't even know what they're missing out on, but are we, am I going to stand up and show them?

ps this is not a bash on lattes, i'm just saying they are not the same as cappuccinos ;)