You Know What Really Grinds My Gears....The Sequel!

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

You know why I drink Tim Hortons? It's $2 for an XL 1 milk 1 sugar, and I need coffee the morning after a late hockey game and to me coffee taste like coffee.

The only other time I have coffee is camping, and then it's usually half Bailey's.

Which is fine, if you like the coffee, there's no problem with that.

For many of us the problem lies with Tim Horton's, and its fans, pretending like it's the best coffee in the world that we should all feel patriotic over, because it was probably brewed by Sir John A. himself while riding a moose and scoring a hat-trick.

[rotten42]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Agree on this. I don't have a problem with something like Tim Hortons being popular and defined as a very Canadian thing... I have a problem with such a piece of crap product representing Canada. If we're going to be proud of something being Canadian, let's make sure that product is a leader on the international stage, not some milky dishwater that they scooped out of the Ganges.

We can be proud of our hockey, because we are one of the best. We can be proud of our Rocky Mountains, as they are world-class tourist destinations. We can be proud of our aerospace industry, our comedians, our high quality of life.

But being proud of 3rd rate coffee that would get you publicly shamed in most parts of the word? That's insulting to Canada.

Add to that all the lazy pr*cks that will line up 15 cars deep and cause all sorts of traffice headaches in the parking lot simply because they are too lazy to get out of their car and walk in the store. They sit in line up for 10-15 minutes insteads of the 2 or 3 it takes just to walk in and get it.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Agree on this. I don't have a problem with something like Tim Hortons being popular and defined as a very Canadian thing... I have a problem with such a piece of crap product representing Canada. If we're going to be proud of something being Canadian, let's make sure that product is a leader on the international stage, not some milky dishwater that they scooped out of the Ganges.

We can be proud of our hockey, because we are one of the best. We can be proud of our Rocky Mountains, as they are world-class tourist destinations. We can be proud of our aerospace industry, our comedians, our high quality of life.

But being proud of 3rd rate coffee that would get you publicly shamed in most parts of the word? That's insulting to Canada.

Wait, I wasn't very clear about that. I'm talking about how people point to everyone going to Tim's as "a bunch of fake national pride", because they're so intent on discrediting any sense of national pride here, when the reality is, in real life you rarely hear anyone say they go to Tim Horton's because it's the Canadian thing to do.

4X4 (I think) nailed this in another thread.

People go because it's the "McDonalds" of coffee shops. Yeah, the commercial's tug at the "We're part of the Canadian fabric" heart strings, but that's the commercials. In real life, I've never once heard someone proclaim that they go to Timmies for that reason. Literally everyone I know goes there because they've nailed a niche market in Canada.

And that's what the gear grinder is with the people that bash "nationalistic" Canadians. They see those commercials, get pissed off that people would be loyal to a fast food chain because of the fake national pride angle, and then go off on facebook and message boards about how stupid Canadians are for believing this, when in real life, almost no one is actually like this.

[squiggs96]

Tim Horton played 20 years for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He died after crashing his car while doing over 160 km/hr, fleeing from police, with a blood alcohol content of twice the legal limit.

If you drink Tim Horton's coffee you are supporting drunk driving, and worst of all, the Maple Leafs. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by Red John

But all of a sudden if you add a couple of quirky at best, stupid at worst rules (lets play 6 + a goalie on wider ice and award points for missed shots for example), cut the league down to a handful of teams in Canada only, employ refs who have other day jobs, and let TSN create a hype of faux nationalism does that make it a good product?.

Canadian rules developed in parallel with American, there was no need to "add". People who think the CFL rules are "quirky" or "stupid" start from the premise that one set of rules is right, and any deviations wrong. That is truly what is stupid - there are historical reasons why they are different, it's not just random changes to annoy those people with a paucity of imagination.

You can PREFER one set of game rules to another - hey, there are people who'd rather watch rugby than any kind of football - but you can't say one set of slightly dissimilar rules is stupid and another perfectly sensible without exposing your own lacks.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Red John

let TSN create a hype of faux nationalism does that make it a good product?

This drives me nuts when people say this about the CFL and the WJHC. I went to CFL games as a kid before I knew what TSN was. I don't watch CFL because TSN tells me to I watch it because it is a fun game to watch (when the league isn't trying to fix it for two specific teams). Same with the WJHC. I don't watch it because TSN hyped it up I do so because I like junior hockey, am interested in prospects and there is little else going on over Christmas when I often have free time to watch sports.

Originally Posted by Table 5

Which is fine, if you like the coffee, there's no problem with that.

For many of us the problem lies with Tim Horton's, and its fans, pretending like it's the best coffee in the world that we should all feel patriotic over, because it was probably brewed by Sir John A. himself while riding a moose and scoring a hat-trick.

Do you actually know people who think Tim Hortons is great coffee?

Everyone that I know that goes there goes for one or all of a few reasons: it is cheap, convenient and predictable. I don't know anyone who goes there because the quality.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by moon

Do you actually know people who think Tim Hortons is great coffee?

Everyone that I know that goes there goes for one or all of a few reasons: it is cheap, convenient and predictable. I don't know anyone who goes there because the quality.

Yeah, I know plenty of people who think it is great stuff. Usually those ones who are quick to throw out words like "hipster" or "elitist" if you say you're not a fan.

And is it really that convenient and cheap? People often spend quite a bit of time in some drive-through lineup to get the stuff, and spending 2 bucks for coffee ads up. Getting a Keurig/Nespresso machine for home would be quicker, and cheaper in the long run (a cup is what 50-60 cents?), and the quality would go up a bit too.

Originally Posted by flameswin

People go because it's the "McDonalds" of coffee shops.

Funnily enough, I think McDonalds coffee is a significant step up from Tim Hortons.

[burn_this_city]

Table you can't deprogram people from the Cult of TH.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Table you can't deprogram people from the Cult of TH.

Hah, I know it's pointless. But I always fall for the trap and try to anyways.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by jammies

Canadian rules developed in parallel with American, there was no need to "add". People who think the CFL rules are "quirky" or "stupid" start from the premise that one set of rules is right, and any deviations wrong. That is truly what is stupid - there are historical reasons why they are different, it's not just random changes to annoy those people with a paucity of imagination.

You can PREFER one set of game rules to another - hey, there are people who'd rather watch rugby than any kind of football - but you can't say one set of slightly dissimilar rules is stupid and another perfectly sensible without exposing your own lacks.

If I remember correctly, Canadian football is actually older than American football so if anything you could argue that the NFL is full of quirky rules and an adaptation of "real" football. But that's pointless.

Yes, I firmly believe the NFL has the better athletes (I also believe that the difference between the leagues isn't as wide as some do - other than some of the superstars) but it's also a completely different game and American players cannot just come up here and dominate as has been proven over and over again. I also believe the CFL has the better set of rules, a catch is a catch up here!

To me the CFL is the greatest celebration of Canada there is. No one can take it away from me and it grinds my gears that there are Canadians who go to great lengths to try to diminish our league.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fotze

Real coffee folks would probably have more issue with mentioning Keurig/Nespresso as being anything other than crap than liking Tim Hortons.

Ha, I didn't say it was world-class coffee, but it's cheaper, quicker, and in the case of the Nespresso (I don't have a Keurig, so I can't say for sure) at least a bit of a step up in quality. There is great coffee out there (Phil and Sebastian, Analog etc), but Im assuming that people who go to TH will probably say they don't want to spend 4 bucks for coffee, or spend hundreds of dollars for a burr grinder.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Yeah, I know plenty of people who think it is great stuff. Usually those ones who are quick to throw out words like "hipster" or "elitist" if you say you're not a fan.

And is it really that convenient and cheap? People often spend quite a bit of time in some drive-through lineup to get the stuff, and spending 2 bucks for coffee ads up. Getting a Keurig/Nespresso machine for home would be quicker, and cheaper in the long run (a cup is what 50-60 cents?), and the quality would go up a bit too.

Well it is convenient if you are out either doing errands or working at a jobsite so don't have access to a coffee machine. I also am not a fan of the coffee machine coffee and would prefer Tim's to those.

I am probably not the one to defend Tim's as I don't go there that often anymore but do know when I was working construction type jobs it was very convenient to stop at Timmy's and grab 5 double double's and bring them to the site. Or when driving up to a rig to stop in small town Alberta and grab a coffee and donut in the middle of a 5 hour drive.

But I probably pass if the line-up is crazy and am not going at 6:30-7:00 hitting the morning rush.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by moon

Well it is convenient if you are out either doing errands or working at a jobsite so don't have access to a coffee machine. I also am not a fan of the coffee machine coffee and would prefer Tim's to those.

I am probably not the one to defend Tim's as I don't go there that often anymore but do know when I was working construction type jobs it was very convenient to stop at Timmy's and grab 5 double double's and bring them to the site. Or when driving up to a rig to stop in small town Alberta and grab a coffee and donut in the middle of a 5 hour drive.

But I probably pass if the line-up is crazy and am not going at 6:30-7:00 hitting the morning rush.

And I would argue that you (or old you) makes up the majority of Tim's users, and very few are what Table5 was describing.

Personally, I never hear anyone say they go there because of the canadiana, but maybe Table5 is more hispterish, and therefore hangs out in crowds where these types of debates actual occur in real life.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fotze

P&S are just so damn expensive. I think its more than $5 now. Hate to say it but 'gettin' greedy' certainly pops in my mind when I go in there (very infrequently) now.

Yeah, it's definitely expensive...it's more of a treat than a daily ritual I guess. But I guess like with a lot of Calgary things, it's too expensive but they can charge what they do because people keep coming...every time I go, business is brisk.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Personally, I never hear anyone say they go there because of the canadiana, but maybe Table5 is more hispterish, and therefore hangs out in crowds where these types of debates actual occur in real life.

Yes, that's exactly it. Bang on.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by moon

I am probably not the one to defend Tim's as I don't go there that often anymore but do know when I was working construction type jobs it was very convenient to stop at Timmy's and grab 5 double double's and bring them to the site. Or when driving up to a rig to stop in small town Alberta and grab a coffee and donut in the middle of a 5 hour drive.

Obviously it has its time and place (and in small town Alberta you dont really have a lot of options), but there woudn't be such a cultish demand for Tim Hortons is if it was all about just about convenience and price. McDonalds is just as convenient and cheap (hell, its often free!) as TH is, and it's not as popular with people here. I really doubt all the Crossovers lined up for 15 minutes at the Westhills TH location at 8am, are all hardworking construction guys just looking for a break.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Obviously it has its time and place (and in small town Alberta you dont really have a lot of options), but there woudn't be such a cultish demand for Tim Hortons is if it was all about just about convenience and price. McDonalds is just as convenient and cheap (hell, its often free!) as TH is, and it's not as popular with people here. I really doubt all the Crossovers lined up for 15 minutes at the Westhills TH location at 8am, are all hardworking construction guys just looking for a break.

I agree that's why I said I am not the best one to defend it. I just said why I and people that I know tend to go there. I haven't heard the same "Timmy's is great" comments that you have.

I think there is also the routine aspect that many stores, especially fast food places, have that even though people know there are better options they just go to the familiar places that they always do.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Personally, I never hear anyone say they go there because of the canadiana, but maybe Table5 is more hispterish, and therefore hangs out in crowds where these types of debates actual occur in real life.

Hang out at the airport after a flight from Mexico lands. You'll overhear "Oooh! Back in Canada now, better go for a Timmies!" or some other paraphrased version more often than you'd think.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by fotze

The Keurigs I have had though were vile.

Then you were buying the wrong ones. My wife and I drink Keurig every day and love it. Time Horton's...those are vile.

[Regular_John]

Doesn't matter if it's Keurig, Tims, Tassimo, Folgers, or McDonalds, if you're not grinding the beans within 5 minutes of them hitting hot water than you're already well below the threshold of "good" coffee.

Honestly I'm overly picky about beans, roast, preparation style (drip, press, brew, etc) but the grinding from whole beans is a must.

I guess my gear grinder here is that I broke my french press on the weekend.