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At CIA Starbucks, Even the Baristas Are Covert
An anonymous reader writes with this interesting story about what it's like to work at “Store Number 1,” the CIA's Starbucks. The new supervisor thought his idea was innocent enough. He wanted the baristas to write the names of customers on their cups to speed up lines and ease confusion, just like other Starbucks do around the world. But these aren't just any customers. They are regulars at the CIA Starbucks. "They could use the alias 'Polly-O string cheese' for all I care," said a food services supervisor at the Central Intelligence Agency, asking that his identity remain unpublished for security reasons. "But giving any name at all was making people — you know, the undercover agents — feel very uncomfortable. It just didn't work for this location."
Ah, but they know why they want their privacy, and are concerned that you might want yours for the same sorts of purposes.
Learning about brewing beer, by brewing beer.
They tried that, but the customers all fought for ticket number 7.
How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
Hypocracy? That's awful. I'd hate to be ruled by hypos.
My defence against Americans criticising British coffee always used to be that the worst coffee I ever had was in a cafe in St. Petes, FLA. Then I had a coffee in a Starbucks at London Heathrow, and I was forced to concede to Americans that the worst coffee I ever had was indeed in Britain. :(
Quidnam Latine loqui modo coepi?
When they ask your name, Have a laugh and just say "call me mindwhip"... they'll get the message.
Yeah, just watch out for the one who asks for Kim Philby.
First world problems.
Write failed: Broken pipe
I am not a number, I am a free man.
Oops, my bad, I forgot we're talking about somewhere in the USA.
Better yet, go with "Bueller" and then leave without your coffee, leaving them calling Bueller, Bueller, Bueller.
Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day, but teach a man to phish...
There is nothing more annoying than:
1) Fake friendliness (if you care so much about my name try and remember it for next time since I tell you it on almost a daily basis)
2) People who can't pronounce my name
3) People who can't spell my name
4) People who use alternate spellings of my name without confirming the correct one (my name has 3 alternate spellings)
I get that all the time because of my European surname, I mean how hard can it be to pronounce Echsteinlefahrtengruber? With my Serbian wife I can understand it, Grzplstcknfltmrzovic can be a bit of a mouthful the first time you see it, but anyone should be able to get my name right.