Costa Cutting Coffee Corners

Costa Coffee in Selbourne Walk is rapidly becoming the place to be and a social hub in Walthamstow Town Centre, obviously a good thing. This partly the central location, the view over the bike shelters, proximity to Poundland and generally  a nice ambiance. However, the main reason has been the excellence of the coffee, which has taken a massive upturn for the better in the last 2 years. The new popularity of Costa in Wstow has led to the sudden recruitment of several new 'baristas' and this is the problem. They are very willing and probably being paid £3 an hour, which is shameful but unfortunately they cannot make coffee.  Are they not being trained? Or it something you either have or you don't? Either way, it's a flipping tragedy, especially for me as I've given up caffeine apart from one good cup per day. But I will have to look elsewhere if this state continues. Train your baristas,  Costa, institute firm guidelines and stick to them like a vice or your customers will desert in droves and you'll be back among the overpriced also rans like Pumpkin!

A tasty meal, and body language skills

Whitstable restaurant where we ate after a pleasant walk along the Crab and Winkle way. Luckily for you, I forget what you are called, but you lurk under the railway bridge.

Picture the scene.  Two diners are talking to each other. Do they show signs of not enjoying their meal? No, they do not. Are they looking around for a waiter / waitress? No, they are not. They are deep in conversation - perhaps they are talking over something sensitive, ladies body matters and the like.  So, perhaps not the best idea for every one of your waiting staff to amble over, some doing so twice and even three times, to ask 'is everything alright'.

OF COURSE IT'S SODDING ALRIGHT!  If it wasn't alright, you'd know about it. We'd be looking around trying to make eye-contact with one of you. We'd have a sour look on our face, and not be eating. Nor would we be deep in conversation.

So, it's really great you care that we are enjoying our meal. But the gesture of caring starts wearing a little thin after the fifth asking of 'is everything alright'.  Just a constructive suggestion - maybe study the customer's body language before butting in regardless.  A happy smile, contented eating, chatting to the dining partner normally indicate satisfaction with the meal. Looking around, sad face, knife and fork down - could indicate the diner would like some attention, so now's the time to wander over with that concerned face.   Just a bit of feedback. Food was great, by the way.
(JM)