>I don't like coffee shops where if you ask for "a cup of coffee" they look at you blankly.
>
>Also I don't like chains.They are ruining the world. If I go to a cafe in town a I want it to be different to a cafe in town b.
>
>
>They look at you blankly? Wow. I go to the local Starbucks a few times a week - sometimes I get just a cup of black coffee and other times I get a Caramel Macchiato, and they've never looked at me strangely. (Then again, I'm a regular there, and the people who work there always know I order one or the other)
>
>I have mixed feelings on chains....but in the case of Starbucks, I've always personally liked the place.

I have to admit, I have nothing against Starbucks as a place, but I'm not a fan of their coffee. I find it a tad bitter. Admittedly, I don't drink coffee much any more since I decided to try to cut back on caffeine as a diet supplement. I used to enjoy buying beans and mixing and matching my own blends, but I haven't done that in a couple of years now. If you get a chance, try this - 50-50 blend of Kenya Estate AA and La Minita. That was my favourite blend. About the only thing I order at Starbucks now is a Steamer (2%, vanilla, no whipped cream).
I tried one at Second Cup, but after getting down to the bottom half of the cup, I may as well have been drinking liquid sugar.