Baristas are the unrecognized heroes of this day. Without them, you'd have to brew your own coffee or go without your overly complicated latte order. Could you imagine?
After you read this, go thank your local barista for putting up with all the struggles they go through on the daily.
Waking up before the sun to get to work is a norm for you
Sleep? What is sleep?
An actual representation of how you feel about going to work:
When someone orders a "Venti"coffee, but you don't work at Starbucks.
"Hi how are you toda-" "I NEED A.."
Oh I bet you sure do NEED that ma'am. You sound like a lovely person.
"I've got a nonfat latte for ______" "But, is it nonfat?"
You have two ears and one mouth, which means you should listen twice as much as you speak. Don't waste that precious speaking time by asking me dumb questions.
When your boss asks you if you'll stay later than your scheduled shift
Sorry not sorry, I would rather not.
When the customer is polite, talks to you, and leaves a tip
We want to make every customer experience a good one, but we can't if you aren't nice to us.
When you go on your break and you overhear a customer say "I have a pretty big order."
When the customer can't pronounce any of the words to their order correctly
"I'd like to try a Caramel Mahhsheeaaacto"
Just stop. Please.
When you're the only person making drinks and you see a huge group of people walk in
"Grounds drawer full: Please Empty.
AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FO DAT
"I'd like a medium black coffee" "Anything else for you?" "Yeah, can I get cream and sugar in there?"
The Frappuccino Families
Six people. Six different handcrafted blended beverages. No mercy.
When a customer questions your barista knowledge, and then asks you to make a basic drink
"Can I get that with extra sweetener, extra drizzle, extra of the flavoring, and with extra whip?"
Don't make your barista feel repsonsible for giving you some major diabetes.
When your coworker acts like they know how to do everything better
When that same coworker makes a mistake and you never let that little jerk forget it
WELL LOOK AT WHO'S A FOOL NOW.
When you try to connect with a customer and they just ignore you and keep ordering
We are people. Did you know that>
You've finally caught up on making drinks, you survey the mess around you, and then it happens - another rush from nowhere.
The bar area is a mess, you're a mess. Where does it end>
When you're new to the job and someone orders a customized drink
The most stressful time in a baristas life is the first week alone after training.
When you find out you're going to have a buy one get one deal on specialty drinks
The most stressful thing that will happen after training.
How you feel when you accidentally pour hot coffee on your hand
But you can't let the customer see you literally dying from pain
When pumpkin spice season comes back and you know you're in for some busy days
Bring on those fall flavors.
When a customer gets a nasty flavor combination
Yes, 20 different pumps of syrup is nasty and we're kinda judging you.
When it's ten minutes until you can close and you see a group of teenagers come in
Prepare for war.
"Well, the other place never does this." "I've never had a problem at *other location* before." "The other Starbuck's never does that."
I can't wait until I can vacation to magical "other store" world. They sound lovely. Also, I'm not doing whatever ridiculous thing you want. I guess you'll just have to go to the other store.
"Can I get a hot tea?" "Sure which kind?" "Uhhhh...the regular one?"
There is a menu. Please look at it.
When someone accidentally makes a drink wrong and asks if anyone wants it
When you're an opening shift worker but your BFF is a close
"I guess I'll just start going somewhere else, my coffee is never right."
When a customer tries to talk to you when you're clearly on your break.
My break is my resting time where I try to forget I have to go back to work. Please leave me alone.
When your coworker leaves the bar a mess and you have to clean before the next rush.
Some people never learned that if you make the mess, you clean the mess.
"Okay, would you like your drink hot or iced?" Customer: "What's the difference?"
Well, let me break it on down for you. One is going to be a warm temperature. One is not.
When you see a coworker about to break the rules for one customer "just this once" but you know if you don't stop him they'll expect the same thing over and over again
If you break the rules for a bratty customer one time, they'll expect it from everyone else. Don't be that guy.
You're up before the sun, and sometimes you're not home until long after sunset, but you secretly kind of love the job and the people you've met because of it
Sure, you never sleep and you have one of the busiest jobs around, but it can be fun. You get to meet awesome people and you get all the infinite knowledge of coffee. You may have some frustrating customers, but you also have people who can make your day. It's worth it!
To my fellow barista's out there: Thank you for keeping the world going. Keep being awesome!
