Whenever I meet someone who was a former or current barista, there is an instant connection. We all deal with the same old thing, with some minimal differences between our work spaces. Being a barista is a unique job. Doing a job like being a barista shapes your life, in very odd ways. All barista's know these 22 things to be true.
1. You have a wad of ones in your wallet or purse.
2. You have coffee stains on about 50% of your clothes.
And at one point or another, all your clothes have had coffee stains.
3. This is your reaction when someone makes Folger's.
*internally cries*
4. You tip more than the average person.
Because you know what it feels like to be them.
5. You have mastered multitasking.
Except for the occasional scalded milk, you can do about 5 things at once.
6. And you are able to carry more than 4 gallons of milk at one time.
So now you're a master at carrying the groceries in.
7. People always tell you, you smell like coffee.
At this point is practically a permanent perfume.
8. You constantly feel sticky.
I remember the days when we had syrup that had red dye in it and my hands would look they were bleeding every day after work.
9. And that shower after a long shift, makes you feel like a new person.
10. Having a socially acceptable chemical dependency that is only further fueled by the easy availability of coffee.
11. People try to make coffee puns with you, but you've been saying these the whole time.
You're not clever my friend.
12. You've slowly become more of a coffee snob.
13. You can have five shots of espresso and still not be even a bit shaky.
But by the end of your shift, you're at approximately 8 shots and can finally start to feel the shakes coming on.
14. When people find out you work there, and they ask for free coffee.
15. You're friends with your favorite regulars on Facebook.
16. You always feel like a stripper because you have so many one dollar bills.
And you've joked about it more than one time.
17. You cry a little when you see you can sleep in until 7 am for work because you're so happy.
18. When you listen to people complaining about having to be up at 8 am for work.
I'm awake before the sun is up most of the time.
19. Living in a constant fear of the future when you don't get a discount on coffee.
I'm not sure how I will survive.
20. You're oddly specific when you order your drink.
And always feel the need to apologize for your pickiness.
