Sometimes just one exchange with one terrible person can ruin your impression of an entire town. I'd like to give Maynooth the benefit of the doubt and perhaps return again someday, but certainly not anytime soon, and NEVER to the Coffee Mill Bistro.
I had excitedly embarked on a day trip to Maynooth at the strong suggestion of a friend who had studied at the University there some years ago. From the morning in Dublin and then the train ride, my electronic implements were becoming severely depleted, and I was reliant on them since it was a whimsical trip and I would be needing to consult the internet for train time tables, directions and such. After a lovely visit to the gorgeous NUI/St. Patrick's campus, I began to stroll the university town, and was pleased when I happened across the Coffee Mill Bistro, as it looked like a promising place to get a decent coffee, charge up, do some writing and respond to some e-mails. Goodness gracious, I could not have been more wrong!
I ordered a coffee and it was not bad. The service at the counter was friendly.
I got situated with a seat in a corner of the bistro, just next to two sockets that were not in use. Perfect, right?
I asked one of the staff members as he walked by what the wifi password was, and was mildly bewildered when he said, "Hmm, I'll be right back." He returned only to tell me that they do not have wifi, explaining that it was his first day on the job. Fair enough, obviously he was not informed on the basics of what must be a very common customer request. I was a little disappointed (I mean, what kind of coffee place doesn't have wifi?!?), but I figured I would still charge up and do some word processing while I sipped on my coffee.
There I was, quietly working on a paper for school, typing away, when suddenly I was blind-sided by the worst person I have met thus far in my three months in Ireland.
The creepy, rotund, pushy and officious manager of the bistro obtrusively bent inward at me and grumbled "You KNOW there is a €5 plug-in fee?" (How I was supposed to know this, I am unsure, since information regarding this 'fee' was not posted anywhere in the establishment) I was dumbfounded, never having heard of anything like this, anywhere I have been, Ireland or elsewhere. Honestly I thought he was having me on for a moment, and asked "Are you serious?" I could tell by his face that he was not joking. Then he contemptuously asked "Can I come to YOUR home and charge up there?" To which I said, "Sure, be my guest!" Though in hindsight, I would be horrified to have this person as a guest in my home. I told him I had never heard of such an outrageous thing. I cannot recall ever having been treated so rudely in a customer service environment. This man made me feel as though I had personally injured a member of his family by not asking if I could use a socket that was right next to my seat and not in use.
Originally intending to spend the day in Maynooth, after this experience I was so upset that I decided to high tail it out of town directly, on the next train back to Dublin. I asked for them to put my coffee in a take away cup, and hurriedly made my way back to the train station.
I am sure Maynooth is a perfectly lovely town, but if you do visit, AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!!! read more