Caffeine Culture

My friends looked at me afresh, contemplating what I'd just said. And then, as couples sometimes do, they looked at each other, exchanging bemused looks.

"So", she said "Let's get this straight, you're saying the coffee in Brisbane is as at least as good as Melbourne and at times possibly even better?"

I detected the makings of a smirk on her face as she spoke, but considered my tenuous position and chose to ignore it for now.

"Yes" I replied evenly, knowing that I had now crossed the line and should prepare myself for a battle royale.

"Pah" she spat, and then leant back contentedly in her chair as if she had just administered the closing argument of a Queen's Counsel. A head-shake and roll of the eyes confirmed her position. She then shot me a concerned look, as if I might be ill, or perhaps even intoxicated. Silence took control. I started to feel uncomfortable.

"L..Look" I stammered, "I'm not saying it's better overall, it's just that there are some places in Brisbane, well only a few really, but their coffee is really very good indeed - well, most of the time anyway, and..." Despite what I knew to be be the truth, I started to falter under their combined glares and wondered about what I had started.

Sensing my weakness, he offered his own conclusion:

"So, it's OK, but not as good overall", and then allowed himself a smug glance at his wife.

"I guess", I said, my capitulation now complete.

"Well", she said, the self-satisfied victor, "You had us going for a minute there. Fancy a cuppa tea?"