You know the deal. When you turn 16 years old you have to start looking for a job. Well, I did. I would apply to restaurants, retail stores, easy businesses, but never thought about being a barista at a coffee shop. Being a barista comes with complications, but it comes with amazing learning skills as well. There are so many good things that come with being a barista that I experience, that I wish others would too.
1. Communication
Being a new barista can be hard when trying to work fast, but with a good attitude of communication. But, I learned. After almost five years, I can finally say that my communication skills have helped me grow as a person. The thing with talking, is you are getting to know that person, you develop a deep connection and things just go forward from there. Furthermore, they come back for more coffee because you are so talkative.
2. Co-Workers
In a morning rush, there are six of you or less. You may want to strangle them at times, or walk away from them, but it's family. Things aren't going to be easy working with family. There are struggles, but there are rewards too. Working in a five hundred dollar hour or more can get a little crazy, but with that communication you work together as a team. "Hey, I need that extra shot!", or "It was a Large Mocha Blender", are quotes that help build our team to work together. We always bring each other up, never down.
3. Customers
You are probably thinking oh gosh, not another "Large Caramelicious person...", well listen. Things aren't suppose to be easy, because if they were easy then why would we have over a hundred different drinks? Customers can get frustrating, but they can get loving too. I wouldn't trade my customers for the world. They are the reason I go to work everyday, the reason I am still employed, and the reason I leave work with a smile on my face. They are your business, but they are also my friends.
4. Coverage
Being a barista doesn't come with a strict schedule things change. Although, life happens and shifts need covered. Well, I'm your girl. Why do I waste my days off working? Because having a long shift, means having to make more drinks. Making coffee, and making a customer smile is better than sitting at home all day. Longer shifts can also come in handy because you see new faces, especially during the hours you are not usually there. Speaking for myself, I love talking, and I love being a barista. You'd think after five years I would be tired of it, well no. Every year just gets better and better. But, also because covering shifts is a helpful thing to do.
5. Stations
Shots? I'll do it! Window? I'll do it! Counter? I'll do it! Blenders? I'll do it! Milk? I'll do it! When it comes to those morning rushes sometimes you may have to leave your station and go help another. Being able to be 100 percent experienced on everything is going to help you go along way in making that drink. You'll be fast, and you'll know what you are doing. The thing about stations is they all play a huge role in the rushes. You leave the milk station without steaming, that not only slows sales down, but it turns that smile into a frown from the person waiting. Continuously watching and making sure you are done with all your drinks before you leave with help you and your team all at the same time.
My confessions are things that you may have experienced yourself, but these are things I think about every day. These are things that keep me wanting to come to work everyday. Being a barista isn't easy, but it takes time, and a lot of it, especially to become skilled. Five years and I still learn so much from my co-workers, customers, and even from myself. Although, over a hundred drinks to learn you may think they are not easy to remember, well you are wrong. It's a repetitive thing, you continuously do it and it becomes a muscle memory. I would have to say, that yes, I have just about all these drinks memorized duh, don't you?
Making coffee just isn't another usual job for me.
