Helping hands

My Americano is often accompanied by my partner’s observations of poor hygiene practices at cafes; uncovered muffins on countertops with customers breathing over them (sometimes coughing), and knives and forks in open containers on tables handled by bored children and adults; we’ve seen staff holding these utensils by their tips.

My partner notices baristas rubbing their noses, and scratching their hair, faces, and ears before grabbing the rim of our coffee cups. Fingers stuck like tentacles to the tops (yes, where our mouths will fasten), get delivered proudly to our tables. Strangely, our coffee never tastes as good when it’s delivered with someone else’s fingerprints.

Tess Moeke-Maxwell, Rotorua.