Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Attitude & Aptitude, Culture, Experience
I always thought England was obsessed with politeness.
Apologizing for things they didn’t do.
Expressing gratitude for things that don’t matter.
Saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ for every human interaction.
Maybe I thought this because I’ve been away for so long.
Maybe it’s because of Brexit.
But while I am loving being home, I am also aware some people can be utter pricks.
Case in point … Starbucks customers.
Specifically the Starbucks customer in the photo at the top of this post.
A few weeks ago, I was quietly eating my breakfast on a small table by myself.
Suddenly this guy comes and sits on the other side of the table … literally next to me.
And why did he do this?
Was it because I invited him?
No.
Was it because he was being friendly?
No.
It was because his takeaway coffee was being made and he thought he would take the weight off his feet by sitting at someone else’s table and waiting till he was called to pick up his coffee.
What the fuck?
When did that behaviour become ‘a thing’?
You wouldn’t join a family at their table if you were waiting to pick up a takeaway so why is this OK?
What got me even more pissed off is that he sat there, not facing me and yet completely invading my personal space.
Eventually he looked at me and when he saw me staring at him, he asked ‘what my problem was’.
To which I replied …
“I’ve not had someone this close to me since I had my proctology exam, though to be fair, the doctor asked if he could be there”.
The great irony is he called ME rude.
On the bright side, it got rid of him and left a nasty taste in his mouth – though given he was drinking a Starbucks, he should have been used to that by now. Boom Tish.
17 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
This is what you get for going to starbucks.
Comment by Bazza August 22, 2019 @ 6:32 amBut I like the asshole comment. You may be a dad now but you’re still the bitch of old.
Comment by Bazza August 22, 2019 @ 6:34 amWarms my heart, as long as it is not aimed in my direction.
Comment by George August 22, 2019 @ 6:53 amRob’s anger used to adopt the style of a grenade. Now he’s older it feels much more like a sniper rifle.
Comment by Pete August 22, 2019 @ 7:25 amRupert Howell once wrote me a reference that said: “Rob is like a stun grenade. We throw him into difficult meetings and wait for the fireworks”.
To this day I am not sure if it’s a good reference.
Comment by Rob August 22, 2019 @ 7:58 amrupert was always a fucked judge of character.
Comment by andy@cynic August 22, 2019 @ 4:43 pmMust be a British thing because that wouldn’t happen in SF. Ironically people of SF become more British the moment they enter a Starbucks.. Patient. Polite. Happy to queue, at least until their order has been made. It is very bizarre.
Comment by George August 22, 2019 @ 6:57 amWe must go to different starbucks.
Comment by Pete August 22, 2019 @ 7:26 amHe probably goes to the one with the secret side entrance.
Comment by Rob August 22, 2019 @ 7:56 amI think that insult is worthy of applause.
Comment by Pete August 22, 2019 @ 7:27 amOver the top in all you do.
Comment by Lee Hill August 22, 2019 @ 7:44 amTake their side why don’t you.
Comment by Rob August 22, 2019 @ 7:56 amTut tut.
Comment by Lee Hill August 22, 2019 @ 9:54 amfinally lee. fucking finally.
Comment by andy@cynic August 22, 2019 @ 4:43 pmWonder if he would have behaved like that if you were wearing a suit?
Comment by John August 22, 2019 @ 10:26 amwhat do you call campbell in a suit?
Comment by andy@cynic August 22, 2019 @ 4:42 pmthe accused.
people who go into starbucks are fucking scum. you are less slightly less scum for being such a prick with your comeback.
Comment by andy@cynic August 22, 2019 @ 4:42 pm