We’ve come to the time of year when I start to crave iced coffee. I usually just cold brew my own since coffee shops charge a lot more for the cold variety than they do the hot. But McDonald’s is having a promotion right now for any size of cold beverage at $1, including their oh-so-delicious iced coffee.

Regardless of which McDonald’s I go to and where, the following conversation, almost verbatim, ensues every single time. This wouldn’t be worth a post if it didn’t always happen!

Me: Hi, I’d like a (size) plain iced coffee, no syrup, half the cream.

McDonalds: What kind of iced coffee?

Me: Plain. No syrup, half the cream.

McDonalds: You just want cold coffee and cream?

Me: Yes. Cold coffee and half the cream.

McDonalds: Sugar?

Me: No, thank you. Just cold coffee and half the cream.

The cashier then takes my order, still looking puzzled, and goes to the person who makes the iced coffee.

Cashier: Can you make me an iced coffee, no syrup, half the cream?

Coffee maker: No syrup, half the cream? Just cold coffee with cream?

Cashier: That’s what she wants.

Coffee maker (to me): What kind of iced coffee do you want?

Me: Plain. No syrup. Just cold coffee and half the cream.

Coffee maker: (makes my drink at last!) Sugar?

Me: No, thank you, that’s perfect!

It boggles me, really, since they have no problem with my order for hot coffee with half a cream. I think the cold coffee is seen as being a dessert more than a beverage. There’s no other way to explain it!

I’ll be making my own again soon enough, with skim milk instead of cream, and lots of cinnamon, but in the mean time, it’s fun to confound people. 😀