Weekend 3.0

I'm now convinced that my old manager Betse trained every Starbucks employee in Korea. 

We spent the weekend in Seoul to celebrate Jessica's birthday on Saturday.  Every time we go to one of the big cities we make our way from the bus station directly to Starbucks.  Seriously.  And every time, without fail, this is the scenario....

I order the dark roast coffee of the week.  Jessica orders a hazelnut frappacino.

Them: "Uhhhh.....(looks at the menu).....hazelnut frappacino......uhhhhh........no."

Me: "Do you have caramel frappacino?"

Them: "Yes."

Me: "Do you have hazelnut latte?"

Them: "Yes."

In a matter of 7 seconds I have managed to navigate a language barrier and establish the fact that they have 1) frappacinos, and 2) hazelnut syrup.

Me: .....(holding a pretend cup)....."caramel frappacino".....(pretend to pull something out of my pretend cup)...."caramel no, hazelnut yes".......(pretend to put something new into my pretend cup).

Them: "Ahhhhhh......yes!"

I've done this same song and dance so many times I could do it in my sleep.

The Korean baristas have always been extremely happy to make what ever drink we ask for once they realize that they have the means to make it.  It's not their fault really.  Like I said, my old manager apparently taught them the same thing she tried to teach us: Don't give the customer what they want, but what you want to sell them.