The people in the neighborhood

My morning routine does not vary much at all–I get off the subway at Chambers Street, and on the corner is a Greek diner.  I love this diner because, with the exception of the electric cash register, you could plunk it down in any of the past 30 years without making any changes to the look of the place.  When I walk in the door one of the two guys yells out my order to to the cook, “Double Scramble on a Roll” and all I have to do is stand there, reading or watching the world go by.  The two guys who take the orders are Greek and Latino–the Greek seems like an owner to me and the Latino an apprentice, if there is such a thing any more.  There used to be diners like this all over the city, but they are slowly being replaced or the prices are going up and the decor fancified.

Often they are taken over by *bucks, which is my second stop in the morning.  I used to dread going to this branch, as it was staffed by rude, obnoxious baristas, who couldn’t be polite if their lives depended on it.  They have recently been replaced by two REAL young guys.  What I mean is that these guys don’t appear to be actors, models, artists or literary critics trying to make sure that you know that they are better than you–they are just two guys getting you coffee. That is very uncommon here.  The guys have that 20-something Mutt and Jeff look, one a tall, skinny white guy and the other a shorter, heavyset, black guy.  They too know my order and call it out when they see me.  I like that–it gives lower Manhattan a neighborhood feel.

And today I got a card for free coffee every Wednesday for the next 6 weeks!! Woo Hoo!  It’s enough to make my Tuesday worthwhile.

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