Thursday, January 16, 2014

Overstaying welcome in coffee shops?

Fortunately, we are more sensible and sensitive as far as this is concerned.

My daughter Cheng posted a link to a NY Times article in Facebook with reference to me: 'I thought of your breakfast club... !'

Fighting a McDonald’s in Queens for the Right to Sit. And Sit. And Sit.




'Shortly after New Year’s Day, Man Hyung Lee, 77, was nursing a coffee in his usual seat in a narrow booth at a McDonald’s in Flushing, Queens, when two police officers stepped into the fluorescent light of the restaurant.

Mr. Lee said the officers had been called because he and his friends — a revolving group who shuffle into the McDonald’s on the corner of Parsons and Northern Boulevards on walkers, or with canes, in wheelchairs or with infirm steps, as early as 5 a.m. and often linger until well after dark — had, as they seem to do every day, long overstayed their welcome...'

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/15/nyregion/fighting-a-mcdonalds-for-the-right-to-sit-and-sit-and-sit.html?smid=fb-nytimes&WT.z_sma=NY_FAM_20140115&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1388552400000&bicmet=1420088400000

Me: Oh no! We avoid fast food outlets because of govt tax and service charge. We have been to the local Old Town Kopitiam only once and put off by their prices besides the tax. Best deal so far for our extended chat after a round of tea and coffee (in Pusing): Rm1 for hot water in a tea pot (our own Chinese tea leaves) with free refills. Unless very crowded (during holidays when there are more visitors from out of town), we are actually welcome by the operators.

Posted by Reese Tan in FB:


Me: Fortunately, we live outside KL. Yesterday, in Pusing, a friend had a roti canai for Rm1, and another had roti canai telur for Rm1.70; at an Indian stall in a Chinese coffee shop. This particular shop indulges us with Rm1 charge for hot water in a teapot (our own Chinese tea leaves) with free refills.

Update:

Just so that we don't appear to spend such measly sums (as mentioned above) for breakfast: Yesterday, I had a 'heong tai mai fun' which looks like a bird's nest (deep-fried meehoon) with meat and veg in gravy poured on top (Cantonese style) for only Rm4.50. Two other friends had 'pan mee' for Rm5.50 each. One of them is known for ordering elsewhere, larger portion with extras, costing him from Rm6 to a record Rm12!
Link

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