and 80% of the time i’m at work, i’m annoyed. there are various factors that contribute to my annoyance, but the most important one is that people think spending $3.90 for a large latte entitles them to treat me like their servant.

being a barista (while i flail about trying to figure out what i really want to do with my life) has taught me to think a lot about how i treat people. and i hope that by sharing my stories with you, you might think about how you treat people as well.

the setting: a particularly busy tuesday morning. i am working alone and 5 people have all decided to get in line at once. one customer has ordered so far, is waiting for me to make their drink, when the next customers in line are a college-aged couple.

me: hi, how’s it goin?

her: we just sat at a table in the back, and there’s like, old coffee on it. will you come move it?

me: blank stare. (is this a joke? you are joking, right? RIGHT?) uhhhhh, okay.

her: but we want to order drinks too. i want an iced americano and he wants a small coffee.

me: as bitingly sarcastic as i can muster up- would you like me to make your coffee or clean your table first? because there is only one of me. (and you are ridiculously pampered if you think i should walk across the shop to move a mug so your dainty hand does not have to touch something so contaminated as someone else’ mug- gasp!)

her: ummmm, clean then coffee.

me: dagger eyes and loud sigh.

epic failure at trying to convince her she is asking something that is uncalled for. and that there are five people in line behind her and i have no backup!

so then i stroll to the back, leaving 6 people waiting for their drinks, pick up the mug that was left on their table, wait 2 minutes for them to clear all their stuff they have already comfortably positioned on their *dirty table*, and wipe it down as they have requested.

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF RIGHT NOW, CHICK? really, do you?