Coffee-related conversation overheard during the holidays:

“First I lose my sushi – now I have to share my coffee? This is Christmas? What the hell!”

DD #1 was lamenting the results of the Christmas Eve gift exchange, where she’d opened a do-it-yourself sushi kit, only to have it “stolen” by her equally sushi-minded cousin in exchange. Then after getting a bag of her favorite coffee on Christmas morning, I had the audacity to suggest we make some of it. (It was good, too.)

“Making coffee should be a gamble. Every time you prepare it should involve risk.”

With three coffee lovers around the house (DD #1, DD #2, and yours truly) for several days, there’s been increased discussion about all things coffee. So the conversation eventually turned to coffee makers, including the uber-sophisticated (and uber-priced) models at Sur La Table, and the Keurig device (yes, that thing) that is now part of the campsite up north we have with some friends. DD #2, a trained barista, shook her head and provided the comment above. Apparently she believes that making a really good cup of coffee should involve a degree of skill. Sounds a bit Luddite to me, but who am I to suggest that hard-working Americans like her be obsoleted?

“I have to use this 2-for-1 coupon. It expires today.”

Following last Saturday’s group run, a good friend invited me along for coffee, naming a particular Very Famous Chain Coffee Shop. I used to frequent said VFCCS, but am now spoiled by years of much superior coffee. I offered to take him to a different place that uses excellent local roasts, but he wanted to use the coupon, so I acquiesced.

I ordered a peppermint mocha. After all, how can anyone screw up a peppermint mocha? Well, this place succeeded. The coffee was so over-roasted that I found it undrinkable. Now I am not in the least ungrateful – I really appreciated his gesture, and I’m looking forward to treating him to some much better coffee.

And finally, there’s these words of wisdom I found on the Internet recently:

Take the issue of status…what should you do to get more of it? In a study led by David DuBois of HEC Paris, people who were observed choosing large coffees, pizzas, and smoothies were rated by others as having higher status…To take it one step further, surround yourself with the trappings of the salary and lifestyle you want, not the one you have.

This excerpt from the article is about trying to get noticed in the office and improving your “status” with your co-workers. Apparently the tried-and-true approaches, like speaking up, setting goals, and accepting greater responsibility, is second-rate compared to the size of your stuff. So here’s my tip to you all for getting ahead in 2014: Supersize it!