about being a barista

Over the past couple of years, I have been a barista at a couple of different coffee shops. And while I often complain about all of the cleaning, prepping, and just all of the things that people complain about at any food-service job, there are some qualities that I do appreciate about it.

I know that being a barista has recently been over-romanticized on the interwebs, but honestly, the best part about it is being able to connect with commuters over something so comforting as a hot cup of coffee on an early morning, or giving the much-needed Red Eye (coffee and espresso) to the exhausted college student who has a paper due by 10:00 A.M. Also, being the primary source of energy for people in academics, it is also a place where you can have interesting conversations with people about literature and science and other things like that (and getting paid at the same time, which makes it even better).

It is also really interesting to connect with other baristas. Just today I went to this new coffee shop called The Coffee Tree and talked with the owners there, and we compared techniques and types of espresso machines. I realized how easy it is to connect with someone over something so simple as a type of milk.

Any way. While I look forward to the day when I can kiss my food-service days goodbye, I'm trying to enjoy the good things about them right now.

Advice for anyone wanting to become a barista: always assume the best about people. It's crazy how low one unkind customer can bring you, but if you just let it slide it will make your day so much better. Be kind to people and show interest in their day and their well-being, and they will come back.

Advice for anyone trying to become a coffee-house regular: be kind to your barista and show interest in their well-being as well. When you ask them how they are, listen to their answer. You'd expect the same from them. And while tipping is greatly appreciated, theres no need to draw attention to whether you tip or not. If you are polite we appreciate you either way. (but yes, please do tip lol).

In general, a customer-barista relationship is the best part about working in this industry. It's what makes it all worthwhile.