Some eco-fixes just seem so obvious, and obviously lucrative, that it makes me want to scream.

In this case it's those damned little disposable coffee swizzle sticks. Be they wood or plastic, they annoy me equally.

Stir, stir and chuck it out.

And every time I have to stiffle the urge to ask WHY?!

Why can't there be one REALLY NICE spoon in a cup of water ?!

The reason I don't ask is because I know the answer...

"Hygiene" they'll say.

They always do.

Then they add that little "nothing-we-can-do" shrug designed to get you thinking they've actually thought it out, up at Corporate, and reached this logistical impasse.

Sucker that I am for those sympatico shrugs, I've always taken it on faith that everyone is doing the best they can. That wise minds are actively looking for ways to both cut costs AND engender customer loyalty by proving itself to be corporate responsible and eco-chic.

I know, naive eh ?

But then, last week, I was about to order an Ice Cream when I noticed that before each customer, the scoop was simply dipped in water.

And then in one of those flashes of the obvious it hit me:

"Heyyy, no one's dying, gagging or even complaining."

Now I ask you, how is a big spoon coming into contact with coffee ice cream physically, hygiencally different than a small spoon coming into contact with coffe and cream ?

It isn't.

It's just the "way things are done".

But if you're a coffee vendor, interested in saving money and making a dent in your customer satisfaction, then maybe, just maybe you might try ADDING a spoon in a cup of water NEXT TO the swizzle sticks.

Try it. Observe, get customer feedback, refine it.

Try it, you'll like it. And so will your bottom-line.