I drink coffee. A lot. In my frequent outings to Starbucks I have noticed something rather curious: people sometimes use an “alias” when placing their order. In a busy shop, the barista or sales person will usually ask what your name is and then write it on the cup. This can prevent confusion at the other end which likely saves lives (do not get in the way of someone who needs their coffee). Most people probably give their real name, the one on their driver’s license though many others do not. Instead, they give their Starbucks name (myself included). I am “Thor” and have been for over 15 years (it’s a long story). Sometimes I am asked how that is spelled and I always respond, “You know… THOR… god of thunder and rock and roll”. I actually have a Starbucks cup saved here in the lab that has “Thor, God of Thunder and Rock and Roll” written on it with lightning bolts to boot. It’s freaking AWESOME! It was a nice touch.
My Starbucks friends “Alice” and “Mike” are not named anything close to that in reality. I’ve been trying to come up with a good alias for another friend of mine (I think that “Una” is a nice substitute). I wonder why we do this. Maybe most Starbucks names are the result of having given names that other people always spell wrong (sorry Aloysius). Maybe it’s part of the desire for anonymity within the city. I do not know. Whatever the case, what our Starbucks names are and how we choose them are interesting. What’s your story javahead?
-Thor (non-fat grande almond latte please)
Does your Starbuck drink define who you are (mine: tall nonfat mocha)?
I’ve often thought about giving a pseudonym at places that ask for your name for informal purposes (food and coffee joints)...like Bertha. But whenever I get asked for my name, it’s a reflex I can’t control. I give my real name. Can’t help it. I guess I wouldn’t make a very good fraudster.
American Starbucks barristas inevitably misinterpret my accented mumblings and call me ‘urine’.
Aloysius has it easy.
My name is easy enough, but my Scottish friend Blair has a much more difficult time with the Starbucks employees – he will now forever be known as “Player,” with a wink and a smile.
Am smiling at Anna’s post…
I use ‘Ann’ for such situations. ‘Bronwen’ results in one of these three:
1. Misinterpretation (Blowen, Brahn etc)
2. Me having to spell it out.
3. “Are you Welsh?”
> Does your Starbuck drink define who you are (mine: tall nonfat mocha)?
Going to starbucks for a coffee can already be quite defining :)
And what about those of us who fancy more than one type of coffee?
After being loudly called Dee Kap (pronounced D Cup) and I-Pak, I now choose to use my last name at Starbucks :)