I’ve worked as a barista for a few years now in a couple different coffee shops, local and corporate. But no matter the coffee shop or location, the job is always basically the same. While it would be easy to just treat being a barista the same as any other job in the service industry, I have come to view it as much more then a transaction and a paycheck. I have gained friendships and invaluable knowledge through this job, and sincerely hope that I have been able to touch others lives as they have mine. It's crazy what a simple cup of coffee can do for the soul of a person.

Anyone that knows me knows that people are my passion – my degree is essentially in how to support people in personal growth through life experiences. Throughout my time as a barista, I have discovered how I am given the opportunity daily to reach out to people and leave a lasting impression on their day and even their entire perspective on their situation.

Being a barista is a lot like being the rock star of the service industry – we do it all, and every morning our “fans” come in to see us for a little of that sweet music called coffee. Or a 16-ounce triple extra hot soy two pump vanilla latte – no foam. Oh and double cup, no sleeve. Throws money on the counter and walks away.

That actually happens a lot...Pretty much everyone that’s ever worked in the service industry knows what it can be like when a rude customer comes in and kills that good mood vibe. Its taken me a little while to understand what to do in situations like this (I’m not a robot!!) and what it takes to turn the situation around in everyone’s favor all while not taking it too personally. It really all has to do with your attitude and your perspective.

In the coffee industry, we are the first interactions some people have with other humans during their day and not everyone can be a fluffy bunny at 6am. This is something I struggled with a good bit when I first started working in coffee. I wanted to know, “Why are some people soooo mean to me?!” As my barista-ing experience grew, however, I started to better understand why some people acted this way and what I could do in these situations to help the wolverines shed their fangs and start their day off right.

“Life begins after coffee” is a golden rule according to many people, and respecting this is key. Many of my favorite customers now, were angry wolverines the first time I met them. Most of them probably still are early in the morning, but to me, they act differently. So what changed?

I think that the most important part of taming the early morning (and even afternoon) wolverines is to just put yourself in their shoes. Everyone has a different life experience that has shaped him or her into the person they are now. While it might seem like I take this job a little too seriously, I just see it as a way for me to put my passion into the 9-5 (or rather, the 6-noon) and use it as a way to positively effect the people I have the privilege of coming into contact with every day.

To quote one of my favorite baristas and co-worker at our local Appalachian Coffee Company - Taylor Morris,

“I think my favorite part (about being a barista) is realizing how easy it is to make someone’s day. You can tell when people are getting coffee because they were up all night studying for a test, or their boyfriend just broke up with them so they are “treating themselves.” Something as small as giving them your shift drink, or spotting them a quarter because they are short – even just being nice and talking to them while you make (their drink.) Someone comes in the door looking like a zombie and leaves with a smile and a foam/whip cream mustache and a heart sticker. Makes you feel good.”

Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of articles about baristas and coffee floating around on the Internet. Many of them are pretty negative, from customers complaining that the Starbucks barista doesn’t care enough to spell their name correctly or of baristas complaining about the customer that orders a Frappuccino or doesn’t know a lot about coffee.

These kinds of comments and complaints are not helping anyone. While it may be true that making Frappuccinos is the bane of barista existence, and that it can be annoying when your name is spelled wrong, isn’t it more important that we focus on the relationships with the people that we are interacting with and how we can better their day and ours simultaneously?

When it comes down to it, people are the most important aspect of our day whether you are the barista or the customer - and attitudes are contagious. By choosing to be positive and to treat people the way that you wish to be treated, a radical movement of compassion is created. Kindness outweighs anger any day.

So next time you step into a coffee shop, whether to order coffee or to serve it, just remember that the people you encounter are complicated humans with lives and feelings outside of the transaction. The way that you choose to treat them can change their lives and yours. Creating lasting relationships and positive life experiences that make the world go ‘round. Isn’t that what coffee is all about anyway?

Also – check out this cute little short about a magical barista and the people she encounters. Although it’s pretty silly and a bit dramatic, it really does explain a little about what it looks like to be a barista and the difference that perspectives can make.