Nom de Bebida

Or, what’s in a name?

I have a friend at work. She and I share the same first name. So imagine my surprise when one day sitting across the table from her, I noticed her Starbucks cup had the name “Lucy” scrawled across the side.

I asked why. She said that Lucy is easy to spell so it ensures quickness at the register. Plus, she isn’t always comfortable with her real name being shouted out across a busy work morning crowd. As a single gal, she’s safety minded, and I respect that.

I liked the idea and being all incognito appealed to me. And since she and I share “Karen Power” I decided to adopt Lucy as my Nom de Bebida as well. Every time I’m asked for my name, I feel like a super undercover agent giving my false name. I’m SO stealth.

I’ve used it so much, that when The Cute Boy™ and I go for coffee, he’ll tell them my name is Lucy. I’ve only been “busted” once when I didn’t have enough cash and handed over my credit card right as I was being asked for my name. I said Lucy just as he looked at my card, and then looked at me like I’d gong luh-luh in the head.

So this morning, I went into my favorite coffee establishment. I guess I’ve been hitting the coffee a bit hard lately, because the barista recognized me and said “Good morning, Lucy!”

I smiled and gave a hearty “Good Morning” in return. All these people think my name is Lucy. Why does that give me a secret thrill?

I wonder if a lot of people have a Nom de Bebida? I wonder if I know anyone who is a barista that I could ask?

Happy Friday to all my incognito friends…Long live the secret coffee schlurper!

Photo by Karen Fayeth

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Karen Fayeth

Comments

  • Natalie

    Hahahahah…ha! This happens all the time. And, you should hear what the baristas call the customers. Ah… yes; what’s in a name?
    Well, some folks are just this simple: “Venti Americano w/room.” Some are called by their real names. The most interesting ones are those with secret agent names. I am, of course, secret agent 39.
    Here’s a really cool thing, Lucy (giggling): now you can purchase a customized Starbucks card and you can put your name, your drink, your cat, your secret agent name, just about anything on it. I don’t think you can put your website on it and that’s a point being debated right now over at http://www.starbucksgossip.com.
    So, you could be Lucy, Secret Agent (name yer number), are simply, Karen/Triple, N/F, no whip, white chocolate mocha.

    This barista has had to memorize hundreds of names, drinks, modifiers, and quirks. So… if you want to simplify things, more power to ya, sistah!

    :)
    Hey! The comment box has changed! Now I can only be a blogger person, anonymous, or use my “nickname” (without my wordpress blog addy).
    Does this have anything to do with this blog post? lol Ironic, dontcha think?

  • Elise

    My Nom de Bebida is Stephanie. It has been for decades. My best friend's is Judi.

    I think most women have a Nom de Bebida. And if they don't, they should!

  • Karen Fayeth

    Wow! I didn't know that was a common thing. I'm so behind the times. My friend at work had to tip me off!

    Stephanie is a good one. Judi too.

    I liked Lucy because it's ostensibly easy to spell..tho it gets misspelled too.

Comments are closed.