latte to double Macchiato

over the years i have changed the coffee that i drank , it became stronger and stronger, i used to drink lattes and now i drink double macchiato. but it seems to be so hard to get it right, some barista will fuss over the foam and will spoon and scoop it slowly but add no milk , some will add too much milk and no foam, in melbourne australia they fill the cup half with water then make a macchiato on top of that??????? bizzare. i give up, in sydney we pay $3.50 for a cup of coffee and i want a good one so when i am not next to the machine at work i will settle for a litlle turkish coffee , i rather have that then pay for a bad coffee or inconsistent one .