Originally Posted by caloso
Or the time I was in the John Wayne Airport and S'bucks was my only coffee option. I asked for a double machiato. That's two shots of espresso and foam. It's the simplest thing you can ask for other than espresso. So why did it take ten minutes for me to explain to Mr. Barista that No, I don't want steamed milk in it, and No, I don't want vanilla syrup, and No, I don't want whipped cream on it. "Well, what size? Grande or vente?"
I don't know! It's two shots and a dollop of foam! Whatever frickin' size cup that fits into would just be fine!
You've just hit upon the one *$-related thing that is guaranteed to send any coffee connoisseur into paroxysms of rage: *$'s insistence on using the term
macchiato--which everywhere else on the planet refers to a shot of espresso "marked" (hence the name) with a tiny bit of foamed milk--as the name of one of their goopy milkshakes. It also causes no end of aggravation to baristas in real coffeehouses who now have to go through this ritual when an unknown customer walks in and orders a "macchiato"...
"You want a macchiato? Let me show you...[*picks up little espresso-sized cup*]...a shot of espresso in a cup this size, with a little foam at the top? And nothing else? Is that what you'd like?"
I'm not making that up, by the way; I've actually witnessed this.