You go to Starbucks or some other coffee shop with appealing ambiance. You order the same thing every time. But, did you know that there are secret things that you can get if only you know to ask? Here’s my list of 7 things you won’t find on the menu, but are available to enhance your coffee shop experience or to make your life better all around…

1 – There are two magic words you can position pretty much anywhere in your drink order that will make you feel right at home. “For here”.  For example, if you normally order a “grande mocha”, change it up to be a “for here grande mocha”, “grande for here mocha”, or “grande mocha for here”. Either way, you initiate a mental process in alert baristas which says “instead of the silly paper cup with the silly plastic lid, I’d like my drink in a real mug”.

2 – Coffee grounds for your garden. There is a tremendous amount of used coffee grounds every day that sits around in the coffee shop just waiting to be disposed of. Sometimes all you have to do is ask and you’ll be handed bag after bag. Mix this stuff in your garden soil and you will have more healthy plants. If you’re worried that it will keep your roses up all night, ask for decaf.

3 – Smaller than “tall” drinks. At Starbucks when you order a kids’ drink, you notice it comes in a cup smaller than a “tall”. This isn’t just for kids! The term (at Starbucks anyway) for ordering this size of drink is “short” (it’s true). Try it with me…”I would like a short mocha”. Less caffeine, less sugar, less fat…you get the picture.

4 – I beg of you not to do this during busy hours at a coffee shop…or when I am standing right behind you in line. Aside from the aforementioned disclaimer, you can ask for “French Pressed” coffee. If you haven’t tried it, you owe it to yourself. It’s not different coffee, it’s just made in a way that preserves more of the oils that make coffee taste like it should…and it’s fresh every time! Some coffee shops will even put the French Press at your table with some ”for here” mugs.

5 – Cheap refills on brewed coffee. Many coffee shops, like Starbucks, will refill your brewed (or “house”) coffee for much less than buying a new one. Most will prefer or insist that you use this to your advantage only within the same visit (and that seems fair to ask). Sometimes it’s only 10 or 25 cents, but you have to ask. Simply bring your recently emptied cup to the counter and ask “how much for a refill?”

6 – A plate for your baked goods? Most of the time, unless you specify, your baked goods will come in a little sack…which is fine if you don’t mind eating out of a sack. But perhaps you want the full cafe experience. Perhaps you want to feel more at home. Heck, why order a “for here” mug if you aren’t getting a “for here” plate for your muffin? Why?

7 – Have multiple gift cards? Most well known coffee shops are happy to combine the totals on your gift cards into one, easy to carry gift card. After your cashier asks another, more experienced cashier whether it is possible, usually the answer will be “yes!”. Having been a cashier at Starbucks myself, I do beg of you not to do this when there is a line of tired, thirsty people behind you. Another tip on gift cards – write the current balance on the card with a sharpie, then the next time cross it out and repeat.

May you have much more fulfilling coffee shop experiences!

Bill D. Johnson