My visit to a coffeeplace

As someone who seldom likes any hot drink, I was skeptic about visiting Starbucks. However, tonight, I decided to give it a try. Conveniently, there are three Starbucks within walking distance of my home: I chose the one inside the Barnes and Noble bookstore -- simply because I already go there very often.

Inside was a familiar scene: cushioned chairs with tiny round tables, young students littered over plush sofas, soft jazz music in the background, unique travel mugs stacked up in a tiny bookshelf. What was unfamiliar was the menu itself. Yeah I had heard about mocha, latte, ..ccinos, but what is what is what I did not know. I stood behind a tiny stand and stared at the menu, as if the barista would not notice me. She did notice, indeed, but gave me all the time I needed. The extra time, however, did not help. Realizing this, I took the courage to step out, and approached the counter. There were two baristas -- young ladies wearing tidy, green aprons -- at the counter juggling the espresso machines and the cash register. One of them probalbly sensed that I may be a little confused; she continued working on what she was. The other one on the rescue:

Barista: (smiling) "Can I take your order?"
Me : "Yes, (avoiding eye contact, staring at the menu) .... do you serve tea?"
Barista: "Sure"
Me : "Great, is it the one with milk and sugar?"
Barista: "No, but you could add it yourself as you wish. (pointing me towards the counter)
Me: : "Umm, actually, I want the one in which you prepare it with milk and sugar, the one which you boil it for me."
Barista: "Sir, tea only comes with hot water and tea bag, but you may want to try Tazo tea. We can prepare it for you with milk added.
Me: : "I think Tazo tea is the one with spices... I don't like tea with spices."
Barista: "Yeah, that does come with spices."
Me: : "OK, how about some coffee, then. I've seen a coffee that you serve in a tiny cup."
Barista: (the lady takes out a big mug from below the counter) "Sir, you mean this one?"
Me : "No, this is too big."
Barista: (Takes out a smaller mug, but still too big) "This one?"
Me : "No it is really small, like a tea cup."
Barista: (Moves over the counter, and brings a white porcelain tiny cup that I had in mind) "This?"
Me : (with a child like smile) "Yes! exactly! Which coffee do your serve in this cup?"
Barista: (smiles, and names the beverage) This is very strong shot, sir, .. very large amount of caffeine.. (chuckles, correctly sensing that I, a coffee rookie, may not like it)
Me : "Umm, then lets not go there, what about a coffee with a lot of froth?"
Barista: "Sure, we have capuccino, that has bottom half coffee and top half milk froth"

At this time, the other barista intervenes, pokes her, and points to the cash register, where a customer is waiting to be rung. This lady quietly steps away, takes payment from the other customer, and swiftly comes back.

Barista: "Sir, and there is another flavor that has lot of froth, but not the milk one...."
Me : "No, I think, I'd like the capuccino."
Barista: "What size, sir?"
Me : (gazing at the menu) "Is tall really mean small? What is grande?"
Barista: (smiles again) "Yeah, these names are really other way around, tall is the smallest of tall, grande, venti"
Me : "Ok, I'll have a tall. And can you not serve it in a paper cup. I hate these."
Barista: "Sure, "
Me : "I'd like the big porcelain mug that showed me, ... Could you ...?"
Barista: "Sure. That is not a problem."

While she is taking my payment of $3.10, the other one appears and ask me "All right, do we a decision, NOW?"
"Yeah, Capuccino, tall," I reply with added confidence.

I wait behind the pick up counter and enjoy the swoosh sound of froth maker. In less than a minute, the polite barista presents me with my capuccino -- in the mug that I requested.

"Sir, enjoy."