Nope! It doesn't seem to matter if it's that, or takeaway more broadly, or staying in. My best guess is it's simply: do they remember to charge for the alternative milk or not.
I don't go to Starbucks often, but do notice that some locations have signs up saying they offer free alternative milk... and some don't! Who knows why!
Great newsletter this week. I've asked all kinds of questions - techie, trivial, as well as even personal at times - all my life. From the first day that I started to learn computer programming at my first job up until just last night. So, as your Tall Man says: "there is no such thing as a bad question".
The only thing that I tend not to use when shopping though is my debit card. I always use a credit card if possible for many reasons which I won't go into here but which I suggest that you compare the two payment methods to find out and decide for yourself.
As to why your weekly coffee purchase cost tends to vary from week to week I would guess that it's just like any other purchase - supply and demand issues, supply chain issues, supplier issues, tax issues, labour issues, any or all of the above. We tend to price compare when shopping except when convenience and/or buyer loyalty trump everything else.
So enjoy your coffee, my friend. I'm heading out now to go get my Tim Hortons.
Appreciate your comment, friend! Re: the price, I just shared this above but my best guess is that it's a simpler reason than that. I think it has to do with whether they remember to charge for the alternative milk or not. But who knows! Enjoy your coffee ☺️☕
Could be the wholesale price of the coffee going up and down, which it does. Could be fees you're not supposed to notice. Personally I prefer to use cash or card if possible. I will never pay by phone because I'm rotten at all things digital and the gadgets know this and go wrong specially for me.
So sweet! I ldon't use apple pay anymore because my iphone refuses to accept new info...so...there's that! Lol! Scottish! Love! Your life sounds dreamy!💓💓💓🌌🌌🌌🎆🎆🎆🥰🥰🥰
Hi Cait! I really enjoyed today's piece, thank you!
I have a question for you about one thing really resonated with me: "...part over-explaining myself, which is something I’m trying to pay attention to and stop doing (as much), but am still doing most of the time."
I suffer from this affliction, too! I can sometimes notice when I'm doing it, but how, exactly, do you unwind out of it when you realize it, without it getting socially awkward?! Once I realize I'm over-explaining, I tend to start fumbling over my words and explaining that, too! Just curious if you have any tips or tricks in social situations!
Loved this piece! It's so great to feel a sense of community. Also, I bet the increase might have been from using Apple Pay if it was a credit card instead of debit? Maybe they have a fee for credit and don't for debit cash? But also it took me about 8 years to start using Apple Pay - I also felt nervous about having payment methods on my phone!
Loved this and how hard it is sometimes to ask simple questions about things we think we 'should' already know.
Also, I think there is a related thing around knowing a dog's name for a year and having no idea what the person's name is and feeling that you are way outside of the grace period for asking someone's name. I've started just saying that out loud when I'm asking for a dog parent's name 3-4+ months after I've meet them.
How this resonated with me! When I moved to the UK nearly 50 years ago, I didn't know how to use the pay phones... When I asked fellow students, they all said the same thing "Dial, LISTEN FOR THE PIPS, and then put your money in. But I kept wondering how I would know what the pips were? What was a pip?!? Eventually, I just gave it a try... and it was obvious what a pip was!
I was totally like you about banking apps... and now I love them! Sometimes you just have to ask questions and give things a try.
I'm celebrating you with this new skill! And in celebrating you, I'm celebrating myself too, because my 43 year-old self *just this month* also committed to learning how to pay with my phone. I've done it three times now, all at the grocery. I still don't consider this specific skill necessary, but I was feeling old and realized I am absolutely determined to not let tech completely outpace me. So I made a commitment to myself to continue engaging with "new" (lol) tech, even when it doesn't seem like it's necessary or even benefiting my life, simply so I can stay engaged. Next up ... passkeys ... 😬
I'm old enough to be your mum and I still hesitated to ask questions for the risk of sounding ignorant. However, your writing reminds me that we all struggle with things in life that are challenging.
Tall man is right that there are no dumb questions. There is no shame in not knowing how to do something.
Hopefully we are all learning and growing whatever our age. Thanks for writing and helping us on our life's journey.
Wonderful to feel safe asking questions :) Where I grew up I could easily step out into the forest and rolling hills for as long as I pleased. It's definitely something that is important to me. We have to move out of our rental next year and now possibility of owning our own home is becoming somewhat real. I'm asking all sorts of questions, questions I had been afraid to ask because it all felt so confusing, scary and private. I feel more safe in myself to ask questions of others regardless of their position and I'm so thankful for that. I do feel like community connection can be anywhere you are. I know multiple people at different shops in different towns when I take my elderly clients shopping. Once I saw my cousin out with her friend while I was shopping with client. I texted her and told her where I was. I watched her read the text look around to see me waving at her. She came over quickly for a hug. It was a short moment but I loved every second of it. The world becomes more friendly when we can take time to treat others with the same kindness we treat our friends, family or any loved ones. I feel like I type too much but another client told me she had made a new friend! This client is 92 and she goes to the same coffee shop for her coffee and donut. Slowly overtime she's been having more conversations with one of the baristas a 21 year old woman who asked to sit with her during her lunch break a few times. At Christmas the barista gave her a card thanking her for her friendship and how thankful she was to have met her. Plus a crochet bouquet of roses she made. Wonderful to share these stories in the light ✨
p.s I also can't seem to remember how to do emojis on here and just copy them hahaha..
I was literally just wondering how that works. I’ve avoided it forever.
You are definitely not alone!
Aww. I’m not using it either. This has made me curious though. Maybe he charges you less when you bring your own cup? ✨
Nope! It doesn't seem to matter if it's that, or takeaway more broadly, or staying in. My best guess is it's simply: do they remember to charge for the alternative milk or not.
That must be it. I always order the same at our local Starbucks and I’ve tried to clock the price because they never charge me the same. 😂
I don't go to Starbucks often, but do notice that some locations have signs up saying they offer free alternative milk... and some don't! Who knows why!
Hi Cait !
Great newsletter this week. I've asked all kinds of questions - techie, trivial, as well as even personal at times - all my life. From the first day that I started to learn computer programming at my first job up until just last night. So, as your Tall Man says: "there is no such thing as a bad question".
The only thing that I tend not to use when shopping though is my debit card. I always use a credit card if possible for many reasons which I won't go into here but which I suggest that you compare the two payment methods to find out and decide for yourself.
As to why your weekly coffee purchase cost tends to vary from week to week I would guess that it's just like any other purchase - supply and demand issues, supply chain issues, supplier issues, tax issues, labour issues, any or all of the above. We tend to price compare when shopping except when convenience and/or buyer loyalty trump everything else.
So enjoy your coffee, my friend. I'm heading out now to go get my Tim Hortons.
Appreciate your comment, friend! Re: the price, I just shared this above but my best guess is that it's a simpler reason than that. I think it has to do with whether they remember to charge for the alternative milk or not. But who knows! Enjoy your coffee ☺️☕
Could be the wholesale price of the coffee going up and down, which it does. Could be fees you're not supposed to notice. Personally I prefer to use cash or card if possible. I will never pay by phone because I'm rotten at all things digital and the gadgets know this and go wrong specially for me.
Ha, and this is where self-awareness pays off! You know yourself ☺️
So sweet! I ldon't use apple pay anymore because my iphone refuses to accept new info...so...there's that! Lol! Scottish! Love! Your life sounds dreamy!💓💓💓🌌🌌🌌🎆🎆🎆🥰🥰🥰
Hi Cait! I really enjoyed today's piece, thank you!
I have a question for you about one thing really resonated with me: "...part over-explaining myself, which is something I’m trying to pay attention to and stop doing (as much), but am still doing most of the time."
I suffer from this affliction, too! I can sometimes notice when I'm doing it, but how, exactly, do you unwind out of it when you realize it, without it getting socially awkward?! Once I realize I'm over-explaining, I tend to start fumbling over my words and explaining that, too! Just curious if you have any tips or tricks in social situations!
Cheers,
Jess
Loved this piece! It's so great to feel a sense of community. Also, I bet the increase might have been from using Apple Pay if it was a credit card instead of debit? Maybe they have a fee for credit and don't for debit cash? But also it took me about 8 years to start using Apple Pay - I also felt nervous about having payment methods on my phone!
Loved this and how hard it is sometimes to ask simple questions about things we think we 'should' already know.
Also, I think there is a related thing around knowing a dog's name for a year and having no idea what the person's name is and feeling that you are way outside of the grace period for asking someone's name. I've started just saying that out loud when I'm asking for a dog parent's name 3-4+ months after I've meet them.
How this resonated with me! When I moved to the UK nearly 50 years ago, I didn't know how to use the pay phones... When I asked fellow students, they all said the same thing "Dial, LISTEN FOR THE PIPS, and then put your money in. But I kept wondering how I would know what the pips were? What was a pip?!? Eventually, I just gave it a try... and it was obvious what a pip was!
I was totally like you about banking apps... and now I love them! Sometimes you just have to ask questions and give things a try.
I don’t know how to use Apple Pay. My 73 year old father learned a few years ago when he became disabled.
I am glad you found such a wonderful safe space.
I'm celebrating you with this new skill! And in celebrating you, I'm celebrating myself too, because my 43 year-old self *just this month* also committed to learning how to pay with my phone. I've done it three times now, all at the grocery. I still don't consider this specific skill necessary, but I was feeling old and realized I am absolutely determined to not let tech completely outpace me. So I made a commitment to myself to continue engaging with "new" (lol) tech, even when it doesn't seem like it's necessary or even benefiting my life, simply so I can stay engaged. Next up ... passkeys ... 😬
I'm old enough to be your mum and I still hesitated to ask questions for the risk of sounding ignorant. However, your writing reminds me that we all struggle with things in life that are challenging.
Tall man is right that there are no dumb questions. There is no shame in not knowing how to do something.
Hopefully we are all learning and growing whatever our age. Thanks for writing and helping us on our life's journey.
Wonderful to feel safe asking questions :) Where I grew up I could easily step out into the forest and rolling hills for as long as I pleased. It's definitely something that is important to me. We have to move out of our rental next year and now possibility of owning our own home is becoming somewhat real. I'm asking all sorts of questions, questions I had been afraid to ask because it all felt so confusing, scary and private. I feel more safe in myself to ask questions of others regardless of their position and I'm so thankful for that. I do feel like community connection can be anywhere you are. I know multiple people at different shops in different towns when I take my elderly clients shopping. Once I saw my cousin out with her friend while I was shopping with client. I texted her and told her where I was. I watched her read the text look around to see me waving at her. She came over quickly for a hug. It was a short moment but I loved every second of it. The world becomes more friendly when we can take time to treat others with the same kindness we treat our friends, family or any loved ones. I feel like I type too much but another client told me she had made a new friend! This client is 92 and she goes to the same coffee shop for her coffee and donut. Slowly overtime she's been having more conversations with one of the baristas a 21 year old woman who asked to sit with her during her lunch break a few times. At Christmas the barista gave her a card thanking her for her friendship and how thankful she was to have met her. Plus a crochet bouquet of roses she made. Wonderful to share these stories in the light ✨
p.s I also can't seem to remember how to do emojis on here and just copy them hahaha..