Actually I realized this fact around 2 weeks ago but I’m gonna say it anyway - Starbucks has raised its prices!

It took me a few seconds and a blinkered look before the barista asked - like any other baristas - what can I get for you sir? I was looking for my Java Chip Frappuccino on the menu when I realized that it wasn’t at its original position. Plus the menu had a makeover too which hopefully explained my moment of sotong-ness.

I just have this habit of looking at the menu and checking the price before placing my order even I knew what I wanted and how much it’ll cost me. For once, my habit was of a good help to me.

Hmmm…. come to think of it, not really. In the moment of blur-ness and the continuous glare from the barista, I mouthed can I get a tall java chip frap please? Stupid me to think that the menu makeover was merely a facelift. I got a (yet another) moment of blur-ness when the barista said that will be $7.30 sir.

The barista must have laughed his ass off seeing someone pay $7.30 for a cup of flavoured mashed ice. I would too, if I wasn’t the one forking out the dollar bills.

My enlightenment came a few days later when I caught up my cousin who happened to be a barista somewhere in the central area. Apparently Starbucks only raised the prices of their dairy-based products ’cause their suppliers jacked up the price of milk. So to make it less obvious, they revamped their whole menu to deceive people like me.

Baristas also have this piece of paper pasted somewhere that is full of model answers should they encounter FAQs from customers. And for the issue of the increment prices of dairy-based products, baristas would answer Starbucks is currently reviewing its prices ma’am/sir.

Don’t you notice the line any cheesecakes or puffs to go along with your order sir? comes on everytime before you make your payment?

Damn Starbucks, you cheated me twice. Now I’m starting to wonder if Java Chips are merely crushed Oreo cookies.

I am a Starbucks convert. A Coffee Bean betrayer. A kopitiam scandal. But for $7.30 for the smallest cup, I think I’d think thrice now before ordering. Or break up with my first love - Little Miss Java Chip Frappuccino - and move on. Maybe I’ll get to know the non-dairy-based drinks a little better.

Moo!

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