Don’t Blame The Buzz

To the Editor:

I must take exception to the letter titled “Missing Manners” [Letter Hive, 10-16/09]. The letter was written about middle school kids who were behaving badly at the Ice Cream Shop. The children were swearing and being obnoxious. At the end of the letter was this statement, “Maybe the little kid drinking a large Starbucks coffee and walking around with caffeine energy drinks explain it; way, way, too much caffeine for little kids.”

I must draw the line; here at the Blue Z Coffeehouse we serve caffeinated drinks to young people all day long. Most sit there staring out the window contemplating world events or admiring the way their hair looks. Others pick up a guitar and start strumming a tune. Some write or do their homework. Many text, or use their computers. To my knowledge none of our baristas has been attacked or verbally abused by any of our coffee drinkers’ quite the opposite, we have been thanked profusely when we serve our coffee.

Although I have heard some spirited discussions when it comes to teachers or town politics, all are polite and well mannered.

I would say that a lack of caffeine can produce the effects described in the letter. Before you have caffeine your hair looks bad, the other driver is a jerk, your dog growls at you...

Of course I can only speak for Blue Z Coffee.

I believe the culprit in this case is ice cream, a recent concoction (as opposed to the centuries-old coffee bean) that we don’t know a lot about.

In closing let me say that if you want better behaved kids, sitting down with them over a cup of coffee or a latté can go a long way.

Stephen Baluzy

Owner Blue Z Coffeehouse

127 South Main Street, Newtown                        October 20, 2009