Visiting student from the University of Birmingham, England
Being English I am of course more inclined to choose tea over coffee but when I learned that I was moving to the land of the free for a year I thought that I better get used to starting my mornings with a cup of joe instead.
I am from a small town called Chester and every street has an independently owned coffee house that is undeniably overpriced but each one has more quirks than the last. We even have our own Central Perk – Joey and Co. — eat your heart out. So what’s the main difference between our coffee houses and those in America? Starbucks.
Starbucks, Starbucks, Starbucks, with the odd Dunkin’ Donuts thrown in. In all fairness though some of the Starbucks do have their novelties. Let’s start with our very own homegrown branch right here at The Boilerhouse. Not only (in my opinion) do they make the best vanilla latte I’ve had since I’ve been stateside, but the guy in charge regularly shouts “Harry Potter family!” whenever I or one of my fellow Brits walks in. (Seriously though Daniel Radcliffe was born over 200 miles away from me…get it right.) Anyway despite being accused of witchcraft whenever I fancy a hot beverage before class I like the bit of cheeky banter; Starbucks at home begrudge you a cup holder and a packet of sweetener.
I grabbed a coffee in Chicago on Monday at the Starbucks (if you’d believe it) on West Washington when all hell broke loose. I ordered my usual, re-ordered it twice when the barista had no idea what I was saying, and waited at the end for my order. I heard my name being called out and ran to my cup like a caffeine-addicted puppy when I saw it. McKayla. They had written McKayla on my cup like I was a new variety of English muffin on the McDonald’s breakfast menu. Now Starbucks in the US is cheaper than at home so you can’t moan at that but at least there is no one makes you sound like something you eat on the commute. Thank god the latte was good or it would have tipped me right over the edge.
Another main difference between coffee shops in the US and England is the frequency with which they are used. At home I’d meet my friends for a coffee because we hadn’t saved enough money from our wages to do something more exciting so it becomes the social event of the month during tough times. From my caffeine based adventures in Illinois I’ve noticed that you’ll see the same faces everyday holding the same cup-don’t you guys own kettles? I do. Seriously it was $17 at Target and it’ll save you a fortune. Plus then you can make it to your own liking because a few of the cups I’ve had here have been so strong I’ve been shaking like a leaf for hours. Maybe you guys should try being the land of the caffeine-free for a while.