This is not me and that is not my naked bottom!
I rarely indulge in revealing my personal issues. Yes, I know it may come as a surprise to many of you that I do have a flaw, an Achilles heel if you will. It isn’t anything that would get me killed, but nonetheless, I’m discovering that it is quite the oddity in today’s world. In fact, it seems to be so rare that this flaw of mine is discriminated against by many places, including one of the most popular companies in the world!
Yes, that’s right. Starbucks broke my heart by discriminating against me personally. That was a lot of build up. So what is my fatal flaw? It’s that I drink decaf coffee. Gasp! Even though you didn’t have your mic on, I heard that gasp. You’re suddenly thinking, Geez. Up until now Phil seemed so normal. I may have to re-think the whole Phil Factor worshiping that I’ve dedicated my life to. Yes, D-E-C-A-F. I imagine that many of you were so shocked at this admission that you spilled your caffeinated coffee down the front of your pajamas. So you’re gasping and you have coffee on your robe. Not a pretty sight.
That’s me on the left when I was younger
It’s been almost two years since I gave up caffeine. I don’t exclusively not drink caffeinated beverages, but I’d say that about 90% of the beverages that go in my body are decaf. Now that you know I don’t drink caffeine you’re probably saying to yourself, “If he doesn’t drink caffeinated coffee, why the heck was that grown ass man doing turning a cartwheel in his last video post?!!?”
What I’ve discovered is that not drinking caffeinated coffee is akin to walking into a coffee shop or restaurant with leprosy. They don’t want to serve you, but by law they have to. (there goes my leprosy audience. They’re such a sensitive demographic) The entire worldwide Starbucks chain has been commanded to stop serving decaf coffee. What they do tell me when I try to order a decaf is that “we don’t make decaf coffee, but we could make you a decaf Americano.” So I’ve let them do this for me twice. It turns out OK, but I’ve have to endure the aloof sneer of the hipster barista and it takes at least ten minutes just to get that simple cup of coffee. And, adding insult to injury, when they call out my name, they get it right! Gasp! I know, right?
Surprisingly, there are a lot of funny memes dedicated to decaf coffee. I’ve also discovered that being a decaf drinker is like being that gluten-free vegan. If you go out with a group you’re considered to be a high maintenance freak. Often restaurants have to go brew a pot of decaf just for you. I had a restaurant once tell me that it might be about ten minutes until I could get a decaf because they were told not to bother brewing it regularly because they only get one or two requests a day for it.
Good question Jean-Luc Picard. I started it about two years ago as part of a diet that was actually very effective and even though I dropped the diet after about three months, I decided to continue to skip caffeine but continue coffee because I like it and it has health benefits. In fact, doing my research for this post I learned that studies have shown that if you drink two or more cups of decaffeinated coffee a day, you will have up to a 48% lower chance of developing rectal cancer. That’s right, my butt is going to live forever!
I’m not sure how to top that last line as a walk off, so enjoy the rest of your caffeinated day! ~Phil
I’ve endured this as well when switching to decaf after 3pm and the judgement is palpable)
I love caffeinated coffee. But I’m also vegan (not gluten-free), and so I think I understand the emotion, Phil.
Also, boo hoo, Starbucks—I’d have never expected them to look down on decaf. After all, a lot of Americans I know drink decaf and are proud of it. I’ve no idea why that should bother anyone else, least of all a multi-national coffee chain.
Anyway, good to know that you and your butt are going to live forever. Your blog’s rather amazing!
Thank you so much! You are too kind
Awwww, Phil. What a letdown. Well, I guess I have to take the bitter with the sweet. I’ll bet you don’t drink bourbon neat either. (Best not answer I don’t think I could take two in a day.)
I will leave the bourbon questions unanswered for now
Excellent choice.
I am shocked. But truth be told, I’m a half-cafer myself. If I drink too much caffeine it has negative effects on my poor bladder. I need that thing, so caffeine is not my primary coffee objective. I genuinely like a cup of black coffee, caffeine or no.
So I get it.
https://youtu.be/Z2mRCMvS1F0
Nope, you can’t shock me because…are you ready?
I don’t drink coffee…at all. Ever!
Put that in your pot and brew it brother.
😈
LOL! You’re obviously some sort of psychopath! Do you at least drink tea?
I do drink tea. As black and caffeinated as possible!
Aha!
I may be coffee adverse… but I’m not crazy.
Are you really the best one to judge that? 😜
Point taken.
You think you’re flawed? I don’t drink coffee at all. I hate the taste AND the smell MARTIN SO STOP BREWING IT AT YOUR DESK. Sorry about that.
LOL! I love the smell. That’s the best part!
You’re not alone. I drink decaf, too. I prefer normal heart rhythm instead of palpitations 😊☕️
Haha, I like the way you write. Coffee is the best, decaf or no – that moment when you open the packet/access fresh grounds/breathe it in… is that good for you?! I hope so. Anyway, how is your employment situation going?!