For the past two years, I wake up around 5 a.m. in the morning to go and serve people their daily coffee. While making coffee, having fun coworkers and getting discounts is wonderful, the most interesting part are the customers. Every barista has their favorite customer, and they are definitely lying to you if they say they don't. For me, it is an older man who comes in every now and then, always wearing some type of safari hat with elaborate stories of his adventures to update me on. Although there are others, there are thousands of ones who I do not know and are simply another car passing through drive thru. It's easy to get wrapped up in making sure everything is running smoothly, making sure this person gets three sugars and not four, but then times like these happen. Here are my top five favorite stories from my life as a barista so far:
Side note - All of these will remain anonymous, any names mentioned in here are made up.
4. The Halloween
I am the person even if I clearly see you walking then you scream BOO!, I am going to scream. It's no doubt and something many use to their advantage. My first Halloween working, three guys came in dressed in complete head to toe costumes. Usually when you think costumes, you think of innocent costumes like darth vader or mickey mouse but no, these guys were all black, ski masks and everything. I have never felt so scared of getting robbed as I did that night. One thing to take away from this, never forget when it's Halloween or else you will be terrified.
3. The Splenda Lady
My favorite spot to be put on when working is drive thru, your main task is to take orders on the headset. During peak, coffee shops are hectic and every barista is simply running around with their head chopped off. As I was placing drinks in order, grabbing food, and doing other tasks, I greet a lady that had just pulled in:
Splenda Lady: "Hi can I have a Green Iced Tea with no sweetener but two half Splendas?" Now, although my math skills are not my strong suit, I was able to quickly recognize that two halves definitely equals a whole. "So ma'am, I have a Green Iced tea unsweet with a Splenda, anything else?" I ask her. Don't worry, apparently two half Splendas is a lot different than one Splenda in her book.
2. The Sewing Class
There was a sewing class of about 10 people in the cafe one time. That's it, I mean just a literal sewing class with their sewing machines and fabric spread out on various tables. Looking back, I should've asked one of them to sew my name onto my apron.
1. The Tip Guy
This happened recently and is something that this customer will never understand how nice it was to do. Four of us were working this afternoon on a relatively slow day and all goofing around while doing tasks at our stations. My coworker, we'll say Henry, took a man's order and proceeded to help him at the window. "Alright your total is $9.31" Henry said. The man then gives him a $100 bill to which Henry has to ask if he has anything smaller. Often times, we are used to a look of frustration or terror when they have nothing else. Instead, this man says to keep it all for tips. Out of shock, Henry confirms and questions multiple times only for the man to be genuine, take his drinks, and leave. Thank you man who I have never met before, you made this poor college student's week.
I think a lot of people tend to focus on some negatives of being a barista but in reality, it can be a lot of fun. As long as you remember, some people just really need their coffee.
