Don't be a Dick at the Coffee Shop.

Reading this article really sets me thinking and it's so close to heart in so many ways: http://www.xojane.com/issues/dont-be-a-dick-at-the-coffee-shop

People who frequent coffee joints should really read this, or people who frequent coffee joints not for the coffee, but for the food, as well.

I've been there, done that. The people I meet sometimes are simply incorrigible, too fucking much for me to handle. And when that happens, I really do squat down behind the counter, for a couple of seconds, breathe and remind myself that it is part of my job to educate these ignorant assholes.

In fact, to me, Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar is known for our coffee, not for our food. When I read random blog reviews on CSHH, simply saying "the coffee is good, but there is small variety of food and it isn't that good" and then said author goes on a rant about the food. Honestly, if you're looking for fine-dining standard food, go somewhere else. That being said, you've the right to comment on our food (which btw, I do love most of the food on our menu), but discouraging others to visit the joint based on the food is not a good enough reason.

Plus, people who comment on the coffee being "sour" or "acidic" being the right word, do in fact need to understand the taste profiles of the coffee beans first. Most African beans are brighter, so don't come telling us, the coffee is bad because it's sour.

Also, don't tell us how to make our coffees, because if you knew better, you'd be at coffee school giving classes, or in fact, brewing your own coffee at home. If you didn't know water/milk that is too hot burns the coffee and destroys the taste, don't tell us how to brew our coffee or that the coffee isn't hot enough. The baristas do make mistakes, but honestly, that happens perhaps once in a million times.

I love my job, and recently, I've learnt. Service is important, but educating the consumers' on their choices and on what we do, triumphs that.

That being said, I wish S would understand my love for coffee, the satisfaction I get from doing things I am good at, and the appreciation I receive from customers when they take time to simple say "Thank you for the coffee, it's great."