The Coffee shop

[Nakor]

I have never drunk a cup of coffee.

Boring but true

Same

and there is nothing quite like going into a starbucks or costa and asking for a cup of tea

the baristas (think thats what they are) look at you with either a) mild contempt b) quizzical boredom or c) both

Never been in a costa, Starbucks etc

[Marky147]

I was an Alta Rica instant-coffee man for many years but after visiting the US a few time during the noughties I was tempted after finding their proper coffee so superior to what I was accustomed to, to try some filter coffee instead.

I've been drinking Sainsbuy's own-brand "fairtrade" one-cup filter-coffee for some time now and I far prefer it to any kind of instant.

It comes in packs of ten for £2.20 and 22p per cup seems reasonable enough.

Dolce Gusto pods are about that, too.

[Mark_Porter]

For me, coffee is 90% experience and 10% taste.

We have a coffee van that arrives outside work on the dot at 10:20am every morning. There is a small tight knit group of us that use this coffee van religiously, much to the disbelief of colleagues. 

About 20 minutes before the van arrives you start to get the tingles of anticipation, we exchange furtive glances across the office and often some excited 'it's nearly time for our posh coffee' whispers.

The van arrives bang on time and gives a shrill pip of its horn and that signals a race... fumbling for money and then a speed walk down the stairs. Met at the coffee van by a lovely doddery man who who likes nothing more than the most wonderful 10 minute conversation about the leaves turning brown, the state of the roads with Winter coming and whether we have put the heating on yet.

Hand over £2.20 and get back a cardboard cup of coffee. Sit back at my desk, lid off, inhale that aroma and then cradle it softly for the next 30 minutes, the occasional gentle sip and a knowing glance exchanged with fellow members then usually at least a quarter goes down the sink when it gets cold.

It doesn't taste particularly nice but the whole experience from start to finish makes it one of my favourite moments of every day.

[RED-DOG]

For me, coffee is 90% experience and 10% taste.

We have a coffee van that arrives outside work on the dot at 10:20am every morning. There is a small tight knit group of us that use this coffee van religiously, much to the disbelief of colleagues. 

About 20 minutes before the van arrives you start to get the tingles of anticipation, we exchange furtive glances across the office and often some excited 'it's nearly time for our posh coffee' whispers.

The van arrives bang on time and gives a shrill pip of its horn and that signals a race... fumbling for money and then a speed walk down the stairs. Met at the coffee van by a lovely doddery man who who likes nothing more than the most wonderful 10 minute conversation about the leaves turning brown, the state of the roads with Winter coming and whether we have put the heating on yet.

Hand over £2.20 and get back a cardboard cup of coffee. Sit back at my desk, lid off, inhale that aroma and then cradle it softly for the next 30 minutes, the occasional gentle sip and a knowing glance exchanged with fellow members then usually at least a quarter goes down the sink when it gets cold.

It doesn't taste particularly nice but the whole experience from start to finish makes it one of my favourite moments of every day.

Great story and, if I may say so, very well told.

I love these little glimpses into peoples lives.

[david3103]

I have never drunk a cup of coffee.

Boring but true

Same

and there is nothing quite like going into a starbucks or costa and asking for a cup of tea

the baristas (think thats what they are) look at you with either a) mild contempt b) quizzical boredom or c) both

I've frequently bought tea for my wife in Starbucks Costa and others. Never felt it was an issue, although the price is hard to justify for a cup of hot water with a teabag chucked in it.

Good coffee can feel like an event, bad/poor coffee like an insult.
I always used to make a mug of Starbucks from Trowell part of my journey to DTD. It became a ritual and I couldn't imagine not making that stop en route, nor the terrible bad luck that would befall me if I didn't.

[pleno1]

Never had a coffee in my life!

[77dave]

how much does a tea or coffee cost never bought a cup of either

[david3103]

how much does a tea or coffee cost never bought a cup of either

Tight git

[Knottikay]

For me, coffee is 90% experience and 10% taste.

We have a coffee van that arrives outside work on the dot at 10:20am every morning. There is a small tight knit group of us that use this coffee van religiously, much to the disbelief of colleagues. 

About 20 minutes before the van arrives you start to get the tingles of anticipation, we exchange furtive glances across the office and often some excited 'it's nearly time for our posh coffee' whispers.

The van arrives bang on time and gives a shrill pip of its horn and that signals a race... fumbling for money and then a speed walk down the stairs. Met at the coffee van by a lovely doddery man who who likes nothing more than the most wonderful 10 minute conversation about the leaves turning brown, the state of the roads with Winter coming and whether we have put the heating on yet.

Hand over £2.20 and get back a cardboard cup of coffee. Sit back at my desk, lid off, inhale that aroma and then cradle it softly for the next 30 minutes, the occasional gentle sip and a knowing glance exchanged with fellow members then usually at least a quarter goes down the sink when it gets cold.

It doesn't taste particularly nice but the whole experience from start to finish makes it one of my favourite moments of every day.

In among the crowd of non coffee drinkers and posh coffee one man up ship competitions.......we find this gem of a story. Thank you. More please.

[tikay]

^^^^

Agree, lovely story by Mark Porter.

And it IS about the experience. I throw away 50% of all the "motorway coffee" I buy, but it's my comfort cloth, I can't drive unless I have a cup of coffee to hand.

[77dave]

how much does a tea or coffee cost never bought a cup of either

Tight git

i dont drink tea or coffee thats why ive need bought either

[MintTrav]

The people who have never had coffee are missing out on one of life's great pleasures.

[bobAlike]

And in the words of Special Agent Dale Cooper

Damn fine cup of coffee

You cant beat it. I abso love my Nespresso machine.

[Knottikay]

A Friday morning Large coffee from MacDonald's drive thru with a breakfast sausage concoction.  Always welcome after a heavy Thursday night out with the lads.

Does anyone actually collect the tokens on the side to get a free cuppa after 6 visits?

[Jon MW]

For me, coffee is 90% experience and 10% taste.

We have a coffee van that arrives outside work on the dot at 10:20am every morning. There is a small tight knit group of us that use this coffee van religiously, much to the disbelief of colleagues. 

About 20 minutes before the van arrives you start to get the tingles of anticipation, we exchange furtive glances across the office and often some excited 'it's nearly time for our posh coffee' whispers.

The van arrives bang on time and gives a shrill pip of its horn and that signals a race... fumbling for money and then a speed walk down the stairs. Met at the coffee van by a lovely doddery man who who likes nothing more than the most wonderful 10 minute conversation about the leaves turning brown, the state of the roads with Winter coming and whether we have put the heating on yet.

Hand over £2.20 and get back a cardboard cup of coffee. Sit back at my desk, lid off, inhale that aroma and then cradle it softly for the next 30 minutes, the occasional gentle sip and a knowing glance exchanged with fellow members then usually at least a quarter goes down the sink when it gets cold.

It doesn't taste particularly nice but the whole experience from start to finish makes it one of my favourite moments of every day.

In among the crowd of non coffee drinkers and posh coffee one man up ship competitions.......we find this gem of a story. Thank you. More please.

It's a great story but I must admit I can't understand the central sentiment.

I drink coffee ... because I like the flavour. I was staying at a hotel in New York recently which had free coffee you could help yourself to in the morning - but it was awful, so I didn't drink it (although we also had good coffee in our Keurigs in our room so it wasn't much of a loss).

But my point would be - why buy food or drink if it isn't for the flavour?

I'd extend it to even if it doesn't taste 'as good' - I went to the Costa in my train station before work for a few years. I would purposefully leave early so that I could have a coffee while I read a book. The staff knew who I was and what I would order and would have it ready for me. But, when they withdrew their proper cups and just started serving it in cardboard ones - I stopped going, because it doesn't taste as nice. To me it seems simple - whatever the experience is I'm ultimately paying for something I like - if it's not as good (or done badly enough for me not to like it) - I'll just stop; no matter how pleasant the experience around it is.