A cup of coffee to perk up the day
Syed Umar Ariff
2009/07/07
COFFEE from a thin cup can confuse your taste buds while a strong, black and thick brew can get you highly strung.
The Kluang RailCoffee has been providing townsfolk their coffee fix since the 1930s.
Due to its popularity, coffee shops have upgraded their premises to attract the young and old.
Clearly, coffee is essential for many to start off the day. You do not have to stay loyal to the adage "have breakfast like a king" as a cup of "nes tarik" at the mamak stall can provide all the "ooomph" you need to perk up your day.
And some say that chances to survive in a big city like Johor Baru -- which is ridden with mind-numbing traffic jams and kiasu motorcyclists throttling their rusty bikes to work across the Causeway -- are slim without coffee.
But many find it difficult to even have a sip due to the morning rush, which usually begins at 7am.
It is still a wonder that people behave like lemmings; they get to work or go home all at the same time and yet complain about being trapped in traffic jams.
Doesn't it cross their minds that some can actually go home later and avoid the horrible traffic by just prolonging their coffee sessions at mamak stalls?
Alright then, back to coffee. Mysteriously, there are also some coffee that can induce lethargy or a tummy ache that causes you to spend time in the restroom.
This is believed to be caused by the amount of condensed milk in your coffee. Too little of it will make you bitter against the stall owner for not serving a "nes tarik" that meets your taste, and too much of it will have you pounding your fists against the toilet door.
But seriously, caffeine addicts find it tough to pass the day without coffee, which is dubbed as their manna of creativity, productivity and energy.
And it is a bummer if the one selling the drink did not even have faith in his or her product. It is like Colonel Sanders refusing to savour his own fried chicken.
I once bought breakfast at one of the popular drive-through restaurants. I was famished and badly in need of coffee.
The waitress who took my order told me that coffee was available. Good, so I ordered a set meal with coffee.
After placing my order, she asked me what would I like to have for a drink, although I thought she heard me clearly the first time.
"Okay, then I'll have the coffee," I said, while digging straight into my wallet.
To my amusement, she replied, "Hah?"
That is the Malaysian way of saying "I beg your pardon, Sir" or an extremely simplified version of "Sir, can you please repeat that? I'm sorry but I didn't hear what you were saying."
I then repeated my order: "Coffee, please."
Again she replied: "Hah?"
The inane dialogue of "Coffee" and "Hah?" actually played for about four times, until she finally said the words that I had been yearning to hear: "Okay, one cup of coffee."
Evidently, it was she who needed a caffeine fix that morning. And I hope that her next customer would not have to yell to place an order.
This may not be a healthy recommendation but to all caffeine addicts, please have your coffee before starting your day.
And if you don't drink coffee, you can perk up your senses by jogging or brisk-walking. Even the extra five minutes of slumber after turning off that alarm clock could do the trick.
I need my coffee now.