What did I say?

[Gringoboy]

I went to Starbucks once and once only.
Over priced and over hyped.
You get a much better cafe con leche or jarito etc in a basic cafeteria at half the price.

 

[citygirl]

Agreed on their regular coffee Gringoboy - I wouldn't go there for a cafe con leche. But they have yummy flavored coffees when you are in the mood for something different. And I LOVE their chai tea latte. And best of all, you can get it to go without anyone blinking

 

[BaltRochGirl]

Agreed on their regular coffee Gringoboy - I wouldn't go there for a cafe con leche. But they have yummy flavored coffees when you are in the mood for something different. And I LOVE their chai tea latte. And best of all, you can get it to go without anyone blinking

Good chai tea is sooo hard to find here! Best chai tea latte I've had was at PostData in Recoleta, though they did mention something in their menu about additional charges for to go, but I've always eaten there!

 

[Gringoboy]

They opened one in Nordelta recently and it's usually packed.
We paid about $35 for a feca con chele and the next day went to a corner cafe and paid $18 for something better.
Sorry, but never tried chai tea latte

 

[TheBlackHand]

lol

how did this become a cafe thread ?

btw. They were just being polite dude. It's kind of understood in Latin culture. The offer is what counts, not the follow thru.

 

[starlucia]

I went to Starbucks once and once only.
Over priced and over hyped.
You get a much better cafe con leche or jarito etc in a basic cafeteria at half the price.

Well, I think it depends on what your idea of "good coffee" is. Personally, I can't stand the Argentine style of cafe torrado (diluted with sugar), and I think domestic brands like Cabrales taste like battery acid. And there are fewer and fewer places continuing to offer imported Illy or Lavazza (which used to be the only brands I drank down here.) So even though in NYC, Starbucks can't hold a candle to some local joints (Oren's Daily Roast, baby), here it's kind of a lifesaver. Plus, it's probably the only place in Argentina where baristas have to re-make your drink if they screw the first one up (an oasis in the BA customer-service desert )

 

[Bajo_cero2]

lol

how did this become a cafe thread ?

Well, once they understood how easy is to propose sex in a polite way ...

btw. They were just being polite dude. It's kind of understood in Latin culture. The offer is what counts, not the follow thru.

Well, argentine girls say no to anything just in case, so we propose whatever to see what she answers. If she says yes to any simple thing, she is going to say yes to whatever.

 

[wineguy999]

Since the conversation has included a few like/dislike comments about Starbucks, here, I believe, is the definitive quote:

The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino.

I've had good coffee in BAires, and I've had bad - none of it in Starbucks.

 

[kre8ivelyXposed]

As far as doing business with Argentines and the importance of language, I think it can not be underestimated about the importance of human relations here rather than sheer "business". People like to feel good about themselves and you when doing business and they speak here in much more indirect language sometimes.

Also, the art of "schmoozing" or what they call "chamullando" (el chamullo) is VERY important. Everything here is some kind of "tango dance" and you must learn how to play the game here well in business and play. Making a good deal (hazeme buen precio) and slipping them perceived discounts (is very important....not necessarily bribes or "coima").

 

[ilovearg]

I am so glad to read this - I thought it was just me - so often I have made great contacts (online and face-to-face) and been invited for coffee, drinks and even dinner and then nothing! I found it rude and on one occasion, I was a little hurt - hey ho - if having no manners is a cultural thing, I better toughen up!