Why Did I Refuse This Random Act of Kindness?

[Strangler Lewis]

Why is it worthy of note that the barista offered to give you what you had ordered and let you keep what you hadn't ordered rather than setting it aside to pass off to the next sucker?

[3894]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Why is it worthy of note that the barista offered to give you what you had ordered and let you keep what you hadn't ordered rather than setting it aside to pass off to the next sucker?

That's an interesting question.

It floored me that she said anything. Many Americans bemoan the death of customer service. As far as I can tell, it never existed in this part of rural Wisconsin due to a confluence of cultural and economic factors. For a merchant to not operate in a cocoon of apathy is of note.

You know the story about the English stationer who carries newspapers, cards, and letter paper but not pens or pencils? Fifty times a day, someone comes in and asks to buy a pen. "We don't do pens, sir," is always the answer, with a yawn thrown in.

It's like that here. I'm glad the local Starbucks hasn't succumbed yet.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by 3894

That's an interesting question.

It floored me that she said anything. Many Americans bemoan the death of customer service. As far as I can tell, it never existed in this part of rural Wisconsin due to a confluence of cultural and economic factors. For a merchant to not operate in a cocoon of apathy is of note.

You know the story about the English stationer who carries newspapers, cards, and letter paper but not pens or pencils? Fifty times a day, someone comes in and asks to buy a pen. "We don't do pens, sir," is always the answer, with a yawn thrown in.

It's like that here. I'm glad the local Starbucks hasn't succumbed yet.

Warning: Sweeping criticism of an entire region of our country follows:

One often reads how the same personal injury is likely to yield far lower damage awards in midwestern communities than in coastal urban communities. This is commonly attributed to midwestern sturdiness and a culture that doesn't bray about entitlements but has a greater appreciation for life's pitfalls. Since, in the customer service context, supply typically follows demand, your take suggests to me that it's not sturdiness at all, but a pathological form of tightlipped Norwegian-bachelor-farmer shyt eating that prevents one from demanding even what one is indisputably due.

[3894]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

it's not sturdiness at all, but a pathological form of tightlipped Norwegian-bachelor-farmer shyt eating that prevents one from demanding even what one is indisputably due.

Yes, with the edit of "pathological".

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Why is it worthy of note that the barista offered to give you what you had ordered and let you keep what you hadn't ordered rather than setting it aside to pass off to the next sucker?

The part that's worthy of note is that 3894 didn't run away


You need to keep visiting that Starbucks for freebies.

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Why is it worthy of note that the barista offered to give you what you had ordered and let you keep what you hadn't ordered rather than setting it aside to pass off to the next sucker?

I'm with SL on this one. I do it regularly. I offer every time, unless I'm super busy, in which case, I chuck the drink and make the correct one. I can't spend time explaining that I made the wrong drink if I'm that busy. If it's less busy, I offer for them to try it. With coffee - sometimes in the morning we're just going through it too fast to keep up. If I, say, have enough for a small, and I'll give them that while I start up a new batch. Our coffee isn't around any longer than 30 minutes, and usually is only in there for about 15 or sometimes way less in the morning, so it's not a bad deal for them. Sometims they refuse, and that's all right, too. Of course, like the days when I'm on bar, if it's too busy (i.e. there are cups lined up to be filled with coffee as I'm brewing), no one's the wiser. Oh, and I brew a back up double-batch...

It just seems like common sense to offer to a.) remake the drink, b.) offer the "oops" drink and c.) offer a free drink, etc. for their next visit.