I know you’re having a hard time. It can’t be easy, trying to balance all of our complicated orders and deal with the line of angry students trying to make it to their 9:00 a.m. class on time. You haven’t worked here very long and you clearly have no idea what is going on. For this reason, I’ll cut you some slack. However, there are a few basic rules that you need to know if you don’t want a bunch of cranky college students rallying against you every morning.
There is a difference between hot and cold.
When I order an Iced Chi Tea Latte, I expect it to be iced. If I were going to order a hot drink, I would go for a Salted Caramel Mocha or something of the like. It’s a rookie mistake – maybe you just misheard my order, or got confused during the process. I was nice about it the first time… and the second. However, you’ve messed up my order for the third time and I need you to know that you need to pay closer attention.
You have only been here a few weeks. You cannot predict my order.
My purchases vary by cycle – I go to Starbucks every Monday and Wednesday, and I go on a two-week cycle. On the first Monday, I drink my favorite: Iced Chi Tea Latte. The following Wednesday, I drink a White Chocolate Mocha. The second Monday, a Mocha Frappuccino. Second Wednesday, a Salted Caramel Mocha. It frustrates me deeply when you assume you know what I want to order, when I’m sure you haven’t figured out my system yet.
We are tired – not in the mood for small talk.
If we have to be up for an 8 or 9 a.m. class, chances are we aren’t in the mood to hear about your personal life. I’m sorry that your ex-girlfriend just started attending this college, and no – you cannot have my number. (I only give that out to guys who have been working in the Beanery for more than two months). We have places to be, people to see, and we don’t have enough time for you to do your job – let alone carry out a conversation with you.
We don’t buy Starbucks because we want it. We buy it because we need it.
I understand that you work at the college, and you do not attend it. Therefore, you may not understand that for the exhausted college student, coffee is not something we desire – it’s a necessity. It is considered a major food group, and it often replaces breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have been awake for more than 24 hours; we’ve read more than 350 pages within those hours; we have two exams today; we’re running on empty, but by golly, we’re running.
So please, stop judging us. We aren’t (necessarily) basic, even if we might order a Pumpkin Spice Latte every once in a while since it’s in season. We’ve been cutting you slack, in spite of the fact that you are terrible at your job. Please give us a break as well.
