Confession

First of all, you should be reading Questionable Content. (I often wonder how many people are reading it because I suggested it. Probably not many, but their loss.)

Secondly, I am often annoyed when people talk to me when I am at one of the (now four) coffee shops that I haunt. If I am in there it is because I need coffee, not conversation. I have my book and phone to keep me amused and while they are often sweet, well intentioned, and often attractive, I am not. (Well, at least not before my coffee. And beer. Most people only find me enjoyable after their pleasure center has been teased and their reason center turned down.)

So, baristas of the world, let a man have his coffee. I know that you are talking to me out of a forced obligation, and we both know that the flirting is just that. (Plus, why would anyone try to turn the barista/customer relationship into something more than commerce? Silly people, there be dragons there, and I can point to several examples for this belief.)