[Sundae]

I'm with Jinx - although the person behind the counter could have been more accommodating. I very rarely go into this kind of chain, and have always been treated politely when I say obvious things like, "Which of those is cold?" or simply ask for a small black coffee (my poison before the sleep-issue/ caffeine thing became a reality).

In a decent establishment, asking for a plain bagel should suffice. If asked further a "Just plain, please" should be adequate.
But she is an English Professor. Does she not understand that language changes and adapts? Does she not value the importance of communicating in a way other people understand? What we call English now would be incomprehensible to the Normans post 1066.

And in the end, if she wants personal service, and the right to be as pissy as she likes without complaint, then she needs to go to an independent shop, not a massive chain. When it comes down to it, Tiffany at Starbucks doesn't really give a shit if the whiny woman walks out. Whereas Isaac round the corner is happy to serve her bagel any way the shiksa wants it.