Battle Over Coffee Brews on the Blogosphere
Just as a drug dealer shouldn't sample his own wares, maybe coffee shop owners should lay off the Java, otherwise the caffeine could start to take its toll as they start... blogging!
Yes, a Washington, D.C., coffee shop owner has taken his rant about a customer complaint to the blogosphere. In fairness, it was the customer who posted his complaint to the Internet first, but it is the response from Murky Coffee owner Nicholas Cho that has captured the attention of bloggers and the sites BoingBoing and MetaFilter.
Customer Jeff Simmermon wanted an iced espresso. Murky Coffee doesn't serve those because, according to Cho, ice causes a reaction in the espresso that produces an acidic taste. In fact, Cho feels so strongly about acidic espresso that it is his store's policy NOT to make the iced drinks. Simmermon bucked the rules by asking for a regular espresso and a cup of ice. The barista told him, "Hey man. What you're about to do ... that's really, really Not Okay."
You can guess what Simmermon did next.
What was perhaps unexpected was Simmermon's decision to blog about his consumer experience and even note that the next time he visited Murky Coffee he might take along some flammable materials and accelerant.
So we don't blame Cho for being a bit annoyed. In his online response to Simmermon, Cho warns the disgruntled patron not to return, and that he'd be risking a punch to his nether regions. Cho also details the policy: "No modifications to the Classic Cappuccino. No questions will be answered about the $5 Hot Chocolate (during the months we offer it). No espresso in a to-go cup. No espresso over ice. These are our policies."
Even the "about us" section of Murky Coffee is a bit challenging. Cho notes that if someone even wonders why they would want a cup of joe from a place called "Murky," well, they should just keep on walking.
May we suggest some calming herbal tea next time – for both of them? [Source: Reuters.]
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