The little-treat idea frames a coffee purchase as a small, deliberate pleasure within an ordinary day. Customised drinks fit that approach because people can choose temperature, milk, sweetness and presentation. It is a useful way to understand a service habit, but it should not be treated as a description of every person in a particular generation.
A clear base drink makes customisation easier. Decide whether the coffee, milk texture or added flavour is meant to lead, then adjust one element at a time. A drink can become less coherent when several strongly flavoured additions compete. A café menu is more helpful when it explains sizes and options plainly instead of relying on elaborate names alone.
At home, a repeatable recipe can create the same sense of occasion with fewer decisions. Use a familiar cup, measure the additions and note which changes you actually enjoy. When ordering for someone else, check their preferences rather than assuming a fashionable combination will suit them. The useful part of the ritual is attention to personal enjoyment.
The conversation
A good question can make a better brew.