WHEN YOU GET A COFFEE WHILE OUT SHOPPING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON BEWARE OF
OVER-FOAMING!

Being male and not one to enjoy going out shopping, I discovered something
today I never knew. I did a nice husband favor and went to get my wife
something called a Peppermint, White Chocolate Latte. She told me before I
went out to retrieve this sinful, seasonal drink to say "NO FOAM!" while
ordering.

Off to the horrible corporate coffee chain I went! I even took my dog with
me! He enjoys this time of year when people scurry around wearing fuzzy red
caps with white balls at the ends. They look like little cats on people's
heads. Those hats give me an allergic reaction similar to being around
cats.

I went inside and found a huge line almost out the door. I have now gotten
to the point in my life that I've resigned myself that there are lines where
ever I go. Because of this I always bring a magazine or newspaper. Today,
however, I noticed how impatient everyone was. Both the ladies in front and
in back of me complained that "this place never has a line." That's not
what I've noticed having been there earlier this month and seeing almost the
same amount of people waiting.

When I finally got to the front I gave my order, remembering the foam part,
but I neglected to mention no foam with my drink. When I got my drink just
a few minutes later (I will say they're fast) I noticed that though my drink
was in a bigger cup than my wife's, my drink felt much lighter. My wife
explained that this corporate giant is skimping everywhere she goes.

To avoid long lines and drinks being over-foamed, maybe it's time as a
culture we really give up on the speed and convenience that this huge chain
brings. So many mom and pop's have gone out of business, the one's left
explicitly need our help. Plus, the independent coffee cafe I go to hardly
ever has a line! It's also worth remembering just cleaning out your
coffeemaker once in a while will give you a similar coffee taste to those of
the big chains.

I used to like to go to coffeehouses, even the one's run by big
corporations, because it was fun to relax in a big comfy chair and just read
a little. Now, since the big chains seem to be filled with stressed-out
patrons, it's nicer just to avoid them altogether. Of course, caffeine is
what those stressed-out people are demanding thus continuing the circle. I
go decaf. I know that makes me odd.

My dog will just have to watch people with cats on their heads somewhere
else.