🇨🇳Lost in Translation: Kāfēi 咖啡 (Coffee)

November 4th, 2016

On the 4th floor of building C is a small coffee shop called Coffee Moment. As far as I can tell it's run by students with little or no oversight by anyone within the college administration. It's always a different group of students working the stand.

They sell small 6 oz cups of coffee for ¥5, which is pretty reasonably priced. They have a coffee pot and an espresso machine. Off to the side are a couple drink coolers with water, soda, and juice. They also sell small snacks.

When I order coffee, they ask me if I want an "Americano," but they don't really know what that means. When I say yes, they pour me a cup of coffee from their slow drip coffee pot. It's not always great, but it's coffee, it's cheap, and it's usually pretty strong.

One of my colleagues specifically asks for a shot of espresso with hot water added. They dutifully make this drink for her as she gives them step by step instructions. When it's done she tells them that this is actually an Americano. They tell her no, point to the coffee pot, and say "that is how Americans make coffee." (o_O)