In Singapore, there is a unique way to order a coffee fix. It is like an algebraic equation when it comes to the amount of coffee, sugar and milk. The way you order it determines the thickness of the coffee, the sweetness and the creaminess.
I was ordering coffee with a Japanese friend who hasn't been here for very long. So a typical order by a foreigner would be, "Coffee with milk, without sugar please." The coffeeshop lady looked at her and went, "Huh??" My friend proceeded to repeat her order and the coffee lady, looking displeased proceeded to make the coffee.
After my Japanese friend tasted her coffee, she realised it has sugar in it and brought it back to have it changed. Coffeeshop lady was even more displeased and said "So what you want?!"
So I had to help her and said "She wants [i]Kopi Si Kosong[/i]."
I cannot understand the impatience some coffeeshop owners have towards foreigners. They are so used to the algebraic way of ordering coffee that when a person says it in a slightly different way, they get flustered. Like a robot or a machine in a factory that cannot seem to function when not programmed in a certain way.
So some tips for foreigners who want to immerse in Singapore's local coffee scene:
I much prefer our coffeeshops to Starbucks. Those young punks serving customers at Starbucks try too hard to sound ang moh. They can be overbearing and rude too in their condescending tone of voice.
@novembermoon Yes you are right. The vibes in starbucks isn't so chilled out as when you sit in a local coffeeshop. The "atas" vibes intimidates people.
