I have worked at my local Dunkin Donuts for over a year and over the course of that year, I have learned many things that I would have otherwise not known had I not worked at Dunks. This is a compilation of the best things I have learned and seen as my time as a Dunks employee.
1. There are types of customers.
The early morning regulars who always get huge coffees with lots of sugar, the afternoon regulars who range from standard orders to flipping Americanos and cappuccinos, and the first timers who have obviously never been to a Dunkin Donuts before.
2. You see some pretty weird things in people’s passenger seats.
Including but not limited to, small dogs, big dogs, dogs sticking out of their owners coat, a rabbit without a cage just chilling on the seat, a snake wrapped around the passenger’s arm, and countless bongs.
3. A REGULAR IS REGULAR CREAM AND SUGAR.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T SAY “Regular with milk and two sugars” BECAUSE THAT’S NOT A REGULAR.
4. If you work there long enough, you’ll have stories to tell your friends.
Remember that time the fire alarm went off and we weren’t sure what to do so we just kept serving coffee until the smoke got too thick? Or that time the mulch outside kept spontaneously catching fire? Good times.
5. There’s always something that is constantly broken.
A headset, a marker, a light in the donut case, something needs to be fixed but is never.
6. People pay with all types of currency.
$50 bills, $100, $3 in quarters, $5 in dimes, a $2 nickel roll that you guess you’ll just have to accept, a button in the tip jar, and many, many other methods of payment.
7. People are strange before their morning (or afternoon) coffee.
You’ll have people call the store and ask if you’re open even though you just picked up the phone at the store. Also people will have to take a sip of their hot coffee before they realize it’s not the iced coffee they ordered.
8. You can tell who’s never been to a Dunkin Donuts before.
You don’t have to say “for here” or “to go”, ice coffees come to three sizes, we don’t use weird terms for the sizes, we have only lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos for “fancy” drinks, you can only tip in cash, and you don’t have to say “credit” or “debit” when we swipe your card.
9. You judge people on their orders.
Not if it’s a typical order but if you put in 10 creams and 12 Splendas in your medium coffee, you best believe that we are judging you.
10. People have very specific orders.
One guy will ask to have two pumps of flavor in his coffee then make you dump it out and have him inspect it to make sure all the flavor is out. Another lady will ask for her coffee not to be shaken at all and will send it back if it has been.
11. People don’t seems to know that most of the weekend employees are high school kids.
So you’ll have some Scottish guy ask where the best pub in town in, or an out of stater ask if Rye Beach is near-by and you’ll have to tell her you’re not exactly sure how far away it is but it’s definitely not in this state.
12. And finally, you will meet some of your best friends at work.
You will meet one of the nicest people on the face of the Earth and will feel fortunate enough to call her your best friend (I luv you Tia).
