Hey Dude, that’s my couch
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Originally uploaded by: OshKoshPoshJosh
Why is that our dealings with some strangers is becoming more and more unpleasant day by day? Why does saying “Please” and “Thank You” has become too passe’? Do you still say “Hello,” “Goodbye,” and “Good morning” on a stranger who happens to approach you, let’s say, in a Starbucks cafe?
Anyway, I had a few observations, and for what they are worth, you paid nothing to read them. Here they are.
Tender: “Good afternoon, Sir. What’s your order”? In a very robotic voice.
Me: “Oh hi, I would like to have one Caramel Machiatto, on a mug, small size, Thank you”.
Tender: As she shouts to the barista, 1 Caramel, small… “anything else, Sir?”, asking me with a big smile. I knew it, she noticed my moles.
Me: “No, Thank you. Do you mind if you could send it over on that couch in the corner”?
Tender: “Certainly”.
I tell you, the one I really enjoy at Starbucks is listening to the baristas describing your order in the language of their group - “1 hot Caramel Ma-kya-toh, small”.
I must admit that I am a big fan of Starbucks. Everytime I pass two of their stores on my way to work (or during my days off), the familiar green logo regularly calls my name. I am not a coffee guy when I’m outside unless I’m blogging there or just killing the time, but I love their sausage rolls with my coffee. The jolt of caffeine lifts my spirits, but the warm welcome works its magic, too.
Sometimes we - specially me - normally very appreciative of this when people treat you nicely. Although there are other times when I visit in another store, I stood at the counter and waited to place my order while the crew ignored me for what seemed to be a very long time. She was talking to her cellphone.
However, this woman wearing a big Gucci sunglasses on the other side of the counter had a different approach.
Tender: “Good afternoon, Mam. What’s your order”? In a very robotic voice.
Woman in Gucci glasses: “Hey, I’m in a hurry, can you make it faster?”, while getting her coins out of her LV wallet.
Tender: As she shouts to the barista, 1 Caramel, small… “anything else, Mam?”.
Woman in Gucci glasses: ignored the tender, left the counter, headed towards the pick-up counter, kapish!
I was sitting comfortably near the window when two men holding a cup of latte’ went straightly towards me. They appeared to be looking very gentleman, in suit and tie - a businessman I suppose.
That dude: “Go grab one of that chair before someone else’s take it”, baring slightly with his uneven teeth.
The buddy of That dude: “I’m sure he’s not with someone. He’s just trying to put his laptop bag on that couch so no one would sit near him”, whispering to his buddy.
Me: “I’m sorry, the seat is taken - my friend is coming over in a few minutes - blah blah”, just to piss them off for being such an ass (gantihan lang anoh!).
That dude: Stares back at me like, “I’m gonna get you — one way or another”.
I know they can see me from the distance. Momentarily, there’s another man in a big backpack, holding a newspaper came to me and said –
Another dude: “Hi, excuse me, I’ve been walking around and couldn’t find an available chair. Do you mind if I can sit on that couch”, pointing towards the couch, begging with a smile.
Me: “Not at all, here, let me help you with that bag”.
Another dude: “You speak good english, do you live here?”
Me: “I certainly am”. Followed by asking the same question, “so how long have you lived here?”
Another Dude: “I am just a visitor.”
Hong Kong is a nice city, I know that. There are rich people, drives an expensive car, wearing nice branded clothes but if you look into the negative side of it, it would be silly to generalized but in terms of social values, I’ve encountered a few lots of people who are nice and there are people whose attitude just really sucks.
I mean c’mon, everyone has a right. You have the right to be treated well and fairly. Some might think saying “Thank You” is too formal, but it really is the little things that make a difference.
I so love coffee. And yes, the world is filled with a-holes who thinks they’re better than everyone else.
Maybe one time we should have coffee and THEN we can make fun of all the a-holes there. Heehee~
I’m a coffee lover, but sadly never accustom myself to such luxury like Starbuck coffee; I think it’s an ideal place to meet friends, or just hanging around.
I remember when I was living in NYC, life was at a faster pace, I don’t make eye contact and mind my own business. I’m sure it’s like that in other part of the world, or it’s just me and the sad part is that life seems to pass me by; then again for some, it’s the place to party, that’s where all the actions are…I think it’s all how you look at it.
Hanne, hehehe you’re a bad influ ha? I always practice the golden rule: “If you don’t want to be ripped off, Don’t rip off others”. But, why not break the rule once in a while huh? Ok, I want some cheesecake.
Nye, in HK, coffee shops like the Starbucks is becoming like a mushrooms. They are everywhere here, expanding too fast like the 7-11 stores. Like in NYC, there are too many cars.
I personally do actually prefer their coffee. I like my Machiatto as sweet as possible (without adding extra sugar), the aroma, and I will not be surprise if one day the will add more in some Hospitals or near the church. People buy the brand that they are familiar with and think that they can trust.
I remember those times that we used to hang out at starbucks near LKF, people watching and just chatting the night away! Napaaway na rin kami ni Isay dun.
First scenario - It’s nice to know when niceness rubs off someone else. I always try to smile and be nice when I’m ordering something, but most people behind the counter don’t seem to notice at all.
Second scenario - If they hadn’t bothered whispering about you in the first place, asked you nicely too, then maybe they would’ve let them sit. If I were you, I would just go “No,” and then give them a dirty.
Masel, knowing Isay, di ata yun magpapatalo. And that branch in LKF we used to hang out, na-resbak na. At anong ipinalit? Leather bags shop. It was relocated a few walks up above the Mad Dog’s, katapat ng Haggen Dasz (aba, kapag puno ang ‘Bucks diba dito mo kami hinihila dahil meron kang discount card?). Hehehe those were the days.
sidenote: Masel, you should start ‘blogging’ na rin para updated ako about you in the US.
Weng, yup, the power to say “NO” can be positive too. In most cases, I do have that kind of problem at work. I can’t say “NO” too easily - esp to my family (ok, Family first before yourself). And if I ever caught myself up in a situation like that again, I’ll ask you to cover me up, aight? I think giving people the “WTF” face would work better than the dirty sign.
just this summer, when the skies lost it and began pouring, i had my first sip of starbucks. and it was free. ^_^ i had one of those iced ones with bananas in them. definitely good (it was raining, but we ordered iced. oh well, conventional brewed or whatever-hot is not me siguro).
generally, we filipinos are a whole lot how-should-i-say-it, ummm, maginoo (and we enjoy the mere flirting that comes along with that), and good manners and right conduct is like the must in every household. i remember my mom giving me the look when i refused to greet some older people (who i don’t know). later, i realized that it’s not a question whether or not you know these people. it’s a matter of good coexistence. one way or another, in God’s time, we may need each other, and what grants us the privilege to accept a helping hand from these people (and vice versa) is the small details of respect we’ve rendered them (and vice versa). utang na loob or mere acquaintance would be it.
Blog hopped!
“I’m sorry, the seat is taken - my friend is coming over in a few minutes - blah blah”, just to piss them off for being such an ass (gantihan lang anoh!).
That’s exactly the same words that i will use if ever i encounter such kind of people. Actually, i’ve experienced it once sa jolibee!
enewei, they should go back again in elementary to study GMRC.. they totally lack baring!
Val, one thing that I noticed on some Filipinos is that, pinalitan na natin ang “pag mano” sa mga nakakatanda - whereas now, we use “besu-besu”. Sometimes its awkward lalo na kapag di mo naman nakasanayan, pero dahil “uso” na rin, so nagagaya ko na rin hehehe. Well for my old folks, I’d still prefer the “Mano Po” way of respect. So follow what you MOM tells you to do, so you can pass it on to your future kids.
Hi Peter, same here. Fast-food chains has turned into an “Airconditioning Park”. It’s the place to meet-up with friends right? So kahit, mag order ka lang ng French fries habang inaantay mo barkada, reserve the whole table and put tissuepaper and ketchups on each of them. Hahaha, I didn’t mean to but just in case someone ‘messes up’ with you in Jolli. TY for the visit.
k, i always, always, say hello or hi to people and it is always me who say it first. and i don’t care if i don’t get a response back. it has been a habit for me.
and it always nice to smile at people.
I also had my fair share of rude starbucks fellow coffee drinkers. Some just ignore your presence and just take a seat at “your” table. Or you have to witness how people want be treated like royalty and treat others disrespectful. But that should not keep us from being polite, should it?
Belle, me singing: “smiling comes easy when you’re tartar free”. Aba syempre, kapag Bicolanos, abot hanggang ngala ngala ang ngiti natin. In general, Filipinos best trait is “smiling” - even too much that I noticed when we are talking to a “nice” strangers (esp to foreigners) bakit lagi tayong nakangiti?
Dicey, when I first landed in HK, the one I noticed here is that people are too stiff. If you try to look at them, in a friendly way, even as I try to smile for no apparent reason, they will stare back at you as if you have an ick in your face. I honestly am the most polite people in the entire city that I even say “hello” to the security guards/washroom guys whenever I visit one of the public toilets. Probably these pops might think, “is he an actor”? But one time, I went to the Mandarin Oriental hotel to use one of their lavatory and the guy was so corteous, he handed me hand-towels, turn on the faucet and thanked him for that. And before I even slam the door on my way out, I heard him saying “CHEEEESIN” because I didn’t leave my tip. YA MO KAW CHOO WAH!
Yaay, I’m blogger of the minute. Kewl.
A polite “Thank You” from the heart.
Dicey, you’re welcome. I like that avatar picture over there (mouth-pointing) at the sidebar above, it’s very unique and mysterious. And everytime you speak of “Kar Leung” you guys reminds me of the local movie-couples, Tony Leung Kar-Fai & Maggie Cheung.
caramel java chip!
well, it pays to be polite, i tell ya.
bad influ ba ako? weeee~ i’m just trying to have fun. at the expense of people who are not so nice.
i turn red and blow fire when some people bash me with their snobbery. “its like, hey, pareho lang tayo ng iniihian!”. though it’s not about their status quo, but more of their manners I guess. Sometimes pa nga mas (sorry for the term) “balahura” pa yung mga rich wannabes kesa dun sa totoong mayayaman… I mean does it hurt to say Hi! or at least smile? para bang magkakasakit pag hindi sumimangot o nagtaray sa taong di nya kilala. when I go to other places, marami natatakot saken because of my size (hahaha im a big king kong on the street) but they feel a lot easy and comfortable when I begin to smile.
moral lesson: good manners is the third universla language other than love and music!
I am about to recall the famous GMRC subject in my old elementary school
Here in Japan, you can find a good mix of people, foreigners and non-foreigners alike. Some like to have a chit-chat with you while some try to evade.