Well, my previous post was uncharacteristically melancholy. So, I decided to share the happenings that go on at my barista job. There are, of course, customers who treat me like their personal coffee slave, but the people who appreciate a perfectly balanced dry cappuccino- and say, “Thank you” when I hand it to them- make the job enjoyable. Those individuals tend to share little events of their lives with me, and are much more apt to have an enjoyable conversation. Last week, a guy in his forties came through blasting Van Halen. Ordered a 20oz dry capp. not skinny. (thank goodness because fat free milk takes longer to foam) I recognized the band right away. said that “Eruption” has got to be the greatest guitar solo Eddie ever performed, and his eyes widened in shock. Couldn’t believe a 22 year old actually knew anything substantial about Van Halen. I chortled, saying my Dad may disown me if i didn’t. He told me to check out a band called “Concrete Blond.” Sassy crimson lipstick-wearing rockers. old school for sure. I think i’ll stick with the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Boston & Damn Yankees. It was nice of him to share though. Another day, a couple came through with two long-stem roses and tipped a two-dollar bill. So sweet. They got 2 16oz Macchiatos, one with hazelnut flavor. Conversely, on Monday I got tipped 5¢ in dominican republic currency… cool, but not exactly useable. When that stuff happens, i’m not sure if i’ve done an awful job, or if the customer just doesn’t want to tip. Yesterday, a woman came through in a rush. Ordered a 24oz Skinny Blackbear Mocha with whip. (Chocolate, Vanilla, Blackberry, fat-free milk, whipped-cream and 4 shots espresso) When I finished making her drink, she paid me $10 and said, “keep the change.” That’s a $5 tip! Shocked, I asked if she was sure. I couldn’t accept that much without double-checking. She informed me it was her Anniversary and that, more than anything, she wanted to share her wonderful mood with the people that filled her day. It was so kind. I wish more of our customers wound act like that- share kindness. I’m not saying i need to have a full conversation with every customer who comes through the shop, nor do i expect to receive a $5 tip for every drink i make. I just want people to mind their P’s and Q’s, and to treat me with respect. Anyways, i love creating new drinks and suggesting the good ones. Right now i’m on a cinnamon soy latte kick. It’s great because it isn’t as sweet as regular lattes with vanilla or caramel. Another one that has been popular is a Macadamia nut mocha, and an Irish cream chai. One that is good, but not as popular due to it’s name is a coconut banana latte. One woman gets a peppermint chai… I haven’t tried it yet. An artist who comes through gets a latte with almond milk and a teaspoon of raw sugar. yum. Another lady gets a coconut chai, and that one is decadent. I tend to like the drinks that have great depth of flavor with spice and or fruit and are not ridiculously sweet. i also love tropical flavors, so if your palette matches mine. give one of those a try! :)
