Comments on: In defense of “coffee Nazis”

By: TheShot

TheShot — Sat, 15 May 2010 17:13:38 +0000

@Some Guy: I find it curious that you used the words “affectations of superiority” along with your ALL CAPS indignation over a $6 cup of coffee.

If you can set your self-righteous leanings aside for a moment, I highly recommend you read this article we posted last week and see if you might recognize yourself in it:
http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2010/05/coffee-prices-social-politics/

By: Some Guy

Some Guy — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:59:54 +0000

The pretentious brat at Murky Coffe didn’t serve the coffee the way the customer wanted, but he didn’t stop there: he also took it upon himself to tell the customer that it was “really not OK” for the CUSTOMER to pour the coffee over the ice HIMSELF.

I see this whole story as a great example of the kind of businesses that grow like fungi when the inflationary boom is underway and people think they’re richer than they are. I mean seriously, a cup of COFFEE for SIX DOLLARS? Not only were people paying these asinine prices, but they were even putting up with triple shots of snotty, condescending attitude.

Well, as it happens, Murky Coffee is belly-up now. It turns out that affectations of superiority and threats of violence aren’t a wining business strategy. Gee, who could have guessed?

By: L

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:38:54 +0000

Totally fair play to NC. Makes me think
From a chef’s point of view it’s great fun trying to prevent customers from ruining your well sourced produce from the waiter’s it’s a nightmare!
If you want a truly quality establishment you need to accept that, to focus on what you do best, you must not allow yourself to pander to the difficult 10%- leave them to the chains.
However if you wanted 3 Michelin stars then you would charmingly convince that well- done steak eater to just have the chicken. If you don’t then get rid of them- and enjoy it.
Damn sauce-on-siders, dry venti drinkers, de-boner’s, and iced coffee orderers.
It would be great if a few of the coffee luminaries would start an independant cafe guide. I would love to see these precious cafe owners under Michelin’s thumb.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:47:17 +0000

I agree with Murky and Cho. I don’t think that something stated during a (quasi) heated argument would drive away a loyal customer base, especially if the coffee’s good. Besides, Cho had good reasons for enacting the policy and is dead on about customers not having some divine right to whatever they demand; if Simmermon wasn’t happy with the service he got, he has his right not to buy coffee there anymore, but if he goes to the point of making ridiculous claims of arson, Cho has the right to make ridiculous threats of dick-punches. There’s no call to get so worked up over what one perceives as bad service; the best response is to just stop giving that establishment money.

By: In Defense of Espresso Tuscano: Murky Coffee Owner N. Cho having an easy time saying “No” to customers. « Bean Chaser

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:16:13 +0000

[...] reading an engaging report of one customers “moment” at Murky Coffee in Arlington, VA (near D.C) I decided to [...]

By: Wilson Hines

Wilson Hines — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:41:40 +0000

After listening to every portafilter.net podcast and then meeting about 15% of Nick’s staff and finally as well as meeting a few of his friends I must say this: I don’t agree with Nick Cho on anything except COFFEE.

Here, in this instance, Nick mixed coffee with business. I don’t agree with some of Nick’s business practices, however here I am with Nick 100%. I own my own trucking business and there are probably 15 or 20 things that I just flat out won’t do and if the customer wants to ask me, that is fine, but I will kindly decline. About five of those 15 things will cause a customer to get a little angry or frustrated. And while I have never told anyone that I would “punch them in the dick,” I have told a few that I would “kick there ass…” and a few other good ol’ southern metaphors.

Nobody, and I do mean nobody, should tell a man that has hundreds of thousands of dollars invested (not to mention their whole LIFE) should be forced, coerced or made to feel guilty enough to “give in” to the demands of a megalomaniac.

After all, it is your business, isn’t it?

By: TheShot

TheShot — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:26:39 +0000

Touché…

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:40:39 +0000

Abusive customers are bad and should be discouraged. So should staff who turn otherwise normal customers into abusive customers by being arrogant and condescending.

However, I would be hard-pressed to expect someone like Nick Cho to understand a basic business concept; the man can’t event get his mind around rent or tax payments.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:49:18 +0000

I can understand Murky’s position, but a better sense of customer service on the part of the barista would have made things much better. Simply saying, “I’ll do this for you, but I would suggest that icing the espresso dulls its flavor” (or whatever) could get the point across just as easily. It’s fine if they want to do all they can to provide the best coffee experience, but being snotty about it also ruins the experience.

By: Mike Miller

Mike Miller — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:57:45 +0000

A store is no more obligated to serve you espresso the way you want it than your wife/girlfriend/SO/whatever is to oblige your request for a particular intimate act. Isn’t our society all about not doing anything you’re not comfortable with?