Back in Korea, I used to surf the internet with ease all thanks to unlimited data plans. But in the US, things got a bit tricky and oh-so-frustrating. Expensive data charges and limited services made it tough to stay connected.
My friend suggested I try Cricket, a telecom company, but it didn’t support tethering, so my laptop was left out of the internet loop. Also, the wireless infrastructure isn’t as robust as back home. It was a given that entering subway stations would cut off my connection, and there were times when my navigation app would just quit in the middle of the highway! 😅 Those initial days in San Francisco were filled with anxiety. Eventually, I just shrugged and thought, “Who needs the internet anyway?”
In the early days of settling down, I needed to constantly search for information, making internet access a big part of my daily routine. This led me to frequent coffee shops offering free WiFi, like Peet’s, Starbucks, and Philz. Among them, Starbucks, partnered with Google, had the best internet quality. Starbucks and Peet’s were the most common coffee shops in San Francisco, and they had outlets facing each other near Fillmore-Sacramento, making me ponder where to go. I often chose Peet’s for its brighter vibe, though the old and moody Starbucks had its charm too.
Philz was relatively new compared to the other two. I first saw it while heading up Market Street to set up a bank account on my first day in San Francisco. The long line in front of the store made me wonder, “What’s the deal with this place?” It turned out to be Philz.
Not a fan of waiting in lines, I rarely visited popular spots in Seoul, but hey, this was San Francisco. With no urgent tasks, I decided to join the line. The warm sun and gentle breeze made standing there quite enjoyable. 🌞
Observing the line, I noticed the ordering process was a tad different. You’d approach the barista, request your coffee, then head to the register to pay. It would be quite a mess if you forgot your order by the time you reached the counter. 😅
“Hmm, should I try whatever the barista recommends?” I hesitated, fearing a complicated name on the menu.
Even at Starbucks, people here spend five minutes detailing their desired recipes—from bean type to water temperature—ensuring they get their perfect cup. Baristas listen carefully, almost like they’re taking a listening test. But surely, there are folks who forget their orders too, right? 🤔
Even if they get something slightly off, like less syrup or a lukewarm drink, people tend to let it slide. You’re unlikely to face a scenario like, “Why is there lettuce instead of mint leaves in my mint mojito coffee?” After all, no coffee shop stocks lettuce, right? 😂
Well, the weather’s nice, so who cares? ☀️
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