so today was kinda crappy...
Work was ridiculously busy and I fear the holiday rush has hit just a little too early. There was not enough staff to cover anywhere in the store and I ended up at different times with one manager doing dishes, then another running the register for and hour or so at a time, and once I had a manager and two booksellers helping me and another cafe server, and we were still running around like crazy.
In the middle of all this, a little boy kept trying to get my attention to ask about the price of a bottle of water, I told him but he misheard and thought he had enough money. He was 75 cents short but I knew I had that much in my pocket so I gave it to him. He smiled and asked "Is that Illegal?" I told him since it was my own money from my own pocket that it was legal and to think of it as a gift. Just that one comment was enough to brighten the day, but then a few minutes later he came back with a dollar and gave it to me. What a sweetie! I wish I knew who this kid's parents were so I could thank them for having one of the few decent kids I run into at work these days : )
Saturday, November 12, 2011
People
When I think about how vast and beautiful and varied our world is, I get frustrated that my view of so many people is jaded by everyday encounters. The beauty of the human spirit is not evident to me in the crazy drivers and sometimes moronic drones who come into my cafe. Contradictions seem to be prevalent in my life and this is one of them: I simultaneously hate people and love people.
Sometimes I go in to work thinking I will be positive and try to find something in each interaction with a customer which is positive or at least unique and which helps me understand and appreciate humanity. After awhile though, I get worn down by questions and rudeness and monotony. At least my regulars redeem the experience. I see these people multiple times a week...more than I see my family and some of my friends...and often I feel as though they are friends. I might not know all their names, but I know what they like to order and how to treat them the way they want to be treated. I know how to make them smile. That, at least, is a small part of what makes my day and my sometimes crappy job...worth it.
Sometimes I go in to work thinking I will be positive and try to find something in each interaction with a customer which is positive or at least unique and which helps me understand and appreciate humanity. After awhile though, I get worn down by questions and rudeness and monotony. At least my regulars redeem the experience. I see these people multiple times a week...more than I see my family and some of my friends...and often I feel as though they are friends. I might not know all their names, but I know what they like to order and how to treat them the way they want to be treated. I know how to make them smile. That, at least, is a small part of what makes my day and my sometimes crappy job...worth it.
one day you'll read about yourself in my memoirs
oh yes...you will. All you funny zany people who come to my cafe in Barnes & Noble (because it is in fact, a B&N cafe...not a Starbucks : P )
So I decided that since we have real china mugs the correct sizes for our drinks, that we should save some paper cups and offer to have people drink their coffee from a real mug if they plan to stay in the store. We have a simple display showing the sizes, with a little sign saying "Go Green! Use a mug!" Somehow...this confuses people. They ask: "Does it cost more in the mug?", "Do we have to buy the mug?", "Can we take these home with us?"...and other similar questions. Why is it so difficult to understand that a restaurant has dishes you can eat and drink from and not take home with you or pay extra to use? Is that a new concept? Not the last time I checked. hehehe...cracks me up
Related to this, is the lady who stood near the counter talking to her friend while I made their drinks, and discussed how she felt (and hoped) the whole "Go Green" concept was "just a phase.".....huh?....
I mean, I know some industries are exploiting the environmental cause to make money...and that stinks, but seriously people...no matter what you feel about global warming (believe it or don't...doesn't really matter to me), you gotta realize we are trashing our planet (literally) and it if our efforts now our "just a phase" then the next phase is not looking too great.
aaaanyway...stepping off my soapbox now...didn't mean to get carried away...just thought ya'll might want a glimpse into my world. Retail is a fascinating anthropological study...lemme tell ya : )
So I decided that since we have real china mugs the correct sizes for our drinks, that we should save some paper cups and offer to have people drink their coffee from a real mug if they plan to stay in the store. We have a simple display showing the sizes, with a little sign saying "Go Green! Use a mug!" Somehow...this confuses people. They ask: "Does it cost more in the mug?", "Do we have to buy the mug?", "Can we take these home with us?"...and other similar questions. Why is it so difficult to understand that a restaurant has dishes you can eat and drink from and not take home with you or pay extra to use? Is that a new concept? Not the last time I checked. hehehe...cracks me up
Related to this, is the lady who stood near the counter talking to her friend while I made their drinks, and discussed how she felt (and hoped) the whole "Go Green" concept was "just a phase.".....huh?....
I mean, I know some industries are exploiting the environmental cause to make money...and that stinks, but seriously people...no matter what you feel about global warming (believe it or don't...doesn't really matter to me), you gotta realize we are trashing our planet (literally) and it if our efforts now our "just a phase" then the next phase is not looking too great.
aaaanyway...stepping off my soapbox now...didn't mean to get carried away...just thought ya'll might want a glimpse into my world. Retail is a fascinating anthropological study...lemme tell ya : )
a day in the life of a barista
so I guy walks into a B&N cafe... :]
no really, a guy walks in to my cafe, looks at the menu, and asks:
"Is a Frappuccino is like a Cappuccino?" I think this sounds like a legitmate question, Sbux talk can be confusing, and then explain what a Frappuccino is (and how it is pretty much the furthest drink from a Cappuccino on our menu).
He asks:
"Well what do you have that is like a Cappuccino?"
I tell him:
"A Cappuccino." (smirk)
he seems surprised and asks:
"Oh ya'll make those?"
??????????
weeeeiiird
oh yeah, and people have started asking for empty hot cups...like cups we use for hot drinks. They don't order anything...they just want a cup and lid. Has the economy gotten so bad people are pretending to drink coffee just to look cool?
strrrrraaaaaaange
aaaaaanyway...Life seems to be revolving around work lately and there is not much else to report. Hope everyone is good :D
no really, a guy walks in to my cafe, looks at the menu, and asks:
"Is a Frappuccino is like a Cappuccino?" I think this sounds like a legitmate question, Sbux talk can be confusing, and then explain what a Frappuccino is (and how it is pretty much the furthest drink from a Cappuccino on our menu).
He asks:
"Well what do you have that is like a Cappuccino?"
I tell him:
"A Cappuccino." (smirk)
he seems surprised and asks:
"Oh ya'll make those?"
??????????
weeeeiiird
oh yeah, and people have started asking for empty hot cups...like cups we use for hot drinks. They don't order anything...they just want a cup and lid. Has the economy gotten so bad people are pretending to drink coffee just to look cool?
strrrrraaaaaaange
aaaaaanyway...Life seems to be revolving around work lately and there is not much else to report. Hope everyone is good :D
love, conflict, and coffee
So this book I just read (Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley...it's a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast) has this passage that talks about real love and describes it as:
"love that makes you and keeps you whole, love that gets you through the worst your life'll give you and that pours out of you when you're given the best instead."
I thought it was worth remembering.
anywho...
I'm tired and have a strange mix of "Espresso Truffle" and Shiner Blonde in my system at the moment. That combined with my emotional climate right now and the fact that apparently people like to read what I have to say is creating a very bloggy mood.
Today was a bit of a weird day. Some conflict at work that resulted in me being involved in giving another employee a verbal warning...never fun. Management and the road to it is not always pleasant
On a lighter note, I discovered that this fancy "Espresso Truffle" drink that Starbucks are toting this year is simply a fancy cafe mocha. When I had it explained to me by the baristas at SBux they told me it was hot chocolate and espresso. I said "but that's a mocha" and they both quickly jumped to tell me it wasn't. They said it is a blend of their signature hot chocolate, which has four types of chocolate, and blah blah blah...mixed with espresso and steamed milk.
Ladies...chocolate+espresso+steamed milk=a cafe mocha. I don't care how fancy the chocolate is or what kind of elaborate name you give it, it's still a mocha...albeit a really yummy one...I'll give them that. But anyone coming in to the Noble who asks me for it will be offered a Godiva Hot Cocoa with a shot (or 2) in it. It'll be great...just watch
Okay, I'm pooped and going to bed. Hopefully I'll dream of love and coffee
"love that makes you and keeps you whole, love that gets you through the worst your life'll give you and that pours out of you when you're given the best instead."
I thought it was worth remembering.
anywho...
I'm tired and have a strange mix of "Espresso Truffle" and Shiner Blonde in my system at the moment. That combined with my emotional climate right now and the fact that apparently people like to read what I have to say is creating a very bloggy mood.
Today was a bit of a weird day. Some conflict at work that resulted in me being involved in giving another employee a verbal warning...never fun. Management and the road to it is not always pleasant
On a lighter note, I discovered that this fancy "Espresso Truffle" drink that Starbucks are toting this year is simply a fancy cafe mocha. When I had it explained to me by the baristas at SBux they told me it was hot chocolate and espresso. I said "but that's a mocha" and they both quickly jumped to tell me it wasn't. They said it is a blend of their signature hot chocolate, which has four types of chocolate, and blah blah blah...mixed with espresso and steamed milk.
Ladies...chocolate+espresso+steamed milk=a cafe mocha. I don't care how fancy the chocolate is or what kind of elaborate name you give it, it's still a mocha...albeit a really yummy one...I'll give them that. But anyone coming in to the Noble who asks me for it will be offered a Godiva Hot Cocoa with a shot (or 2) in it. It'll be great...just watch
Okay, I'm pooped and going to bed. Hopefully I'll dream of love and coffee
25 random things...seems like everyone is writing one of these
1. I live in Texas with my boyfriend, Greg...the people here are amazing. Denton is a cool college town and we've made some great friends.
2. I've spent the better part of the last 4 1/2 years in Ireland/Northern Ireland. Forgive me if I talk about it alot.
3. I'm pretty sure I've never actually tasted a PB&J sandwich...it just looks so gross to me. Give me an open-faced plain old PB sandwich anyday...yummy :)
4. I'm totally addicted to the show House, M.D.
5 is my favorite number. I was born on Feb. 5th, My name has 5 letters and starts with the fifth letter of the alphabet, and I am the 5th girl born in my family. (and as Greg pointed out, I'll be 5X5 this year on the 5th of February...oh geez)
6 is the number of how many beautiful siblings I have. Merri-Beth/Merrilyn, Cheri, Cari, Selah, Caleb, and David. I love them and miss them all more than I can say. Facebook and Myspace helped get us all back in touch with each other and for that I am truly grateful.
7. I watch Gilmore Girls constantly. It makes me feel closer to my Mom and my sister Selah...don't judge.
8. My muscles are sore right now because my truck decided to attempt a triple salchow on the ice last night. Molly is a great truck, but Michelle Kwan she is not.
9. In case you didn't know, my truck's name is Molly.
10. In the past year I worked for the music dept. in B&N in NC, a hospital in Northern Ireland, a clothing store in Northern Ireland, was offered a job in a call centre, and then moved to TX where I became Cafe Lead back with B&N. Talk about full circle, huh?
11. My eczema drives me crazy.
12. I love cranking up the music and singing along in my truck.
13. I don't have any particular misgivings about this number but I do think it's weird that alot of planes don't have a row 13. Amazing how deep superstition runs.
14. I work with a great bunch of people at one of the best Barnes and Noble bookstores in the country :) My cafe crew especially are an outstanding group and I'm so thankful for them.
15. Don't feel like having a 15
16. I love reading. Agatha Christie is one of my favorite author. I also like alot of historical fiction. And yes...I really liked the Twilight series. Probably my favorite of the books I read last year was "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" and as for new fiction "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society."
17. I would one day like to have my own coffee shop. I want it to be a place where lots of different people can come and feel connected to a community. I want to have regular customers who have regular drinks and regular tables. I want to have local art on the walls and free book exchanges and sewing lessons and local music...and storytime for the kiddos.
18. That being said...I am actually working towards this goal by working at B&N and getting management experience, etc. When I say I'm a Barista, I'm proud of it because I do get to connect with people on a daily basis through what I do...even if that is selling them a $4 cup of coffee.
19. I freakin' love 80's music :D
20. I love DIY stuff. I'm working on reupholstering my couches on my own, I make/alter my clothes, I cut mine and Greg's hair, and I constantly have lots of little projects going on involving making various gadgets and gizmos.
21 was a pretty cool birthday...I got to go to Paris.
22. I'm looking forward to being a dual citizen (eventually). My kids will get to live just about anywhere they want to in Europe or the US, and probably Canada or Australia if they want. So cool!
23 is the number of my locker at work...(can you tell I'm getting tired?)
24. Sometimes I really wish there could be more hours in the day. Not every day, just some of them. Wouldn't it be cool if we could bank time so if a really crappy day came along we could just end it sooner and save the hours for a really busy day?
25 is how old I will be in just over a week. I'm pretty ok with that...my life is good right now :)
2. I've spent the better part of the last 4 1/2 years in Ireland/Northern Ireland. Forgive me if I talk about it alot.
3. I'm pretty sure I've never actually tasted a PB&J sandwich...it just looks so gross to me. Give me an open-faced plain old PB sandwich anyday...yummy :)
4. I'm totally addicted to the show House, M.D.
5 is my favorite number. I was born on Feb. 5th, My name has 5 letters and starts with the fifth letter of the alphabet, and I am the 5th girl born in my family. (and as Greg pointed out, I'll be 5X5 this year on the 5th of February...oh geez)
6 is the number of how many beautiful siblings I have. Merri-Beth/Merrilyn, Cheri, Cari, Selah, Caleb, and David. I love them and miss them all more than I can say. Facebook and Myspace helped get us all back in touch with each other and for that I am truly grateful.
7. I watch Gilmore Girls constantly. It makes me feel closer to my Mom and my sister Selah...don't judge.
8. My muscles are sore right now because my truck decided to attempt a triple salchow on the ice last night. Molly is a great truck, but Michelle Kwan she is not.
9. In case you didn't know, my truck's name is Molly.
10. In the past year I worked for the music dept. in B&N in NC, a hospital in Northern Ireland, a clothing store in Northern Ireland, was offered a job in a call centre, and then moved to TX where I became Cafe Lead back with B&N. Talk about full circle, huh?
11. My eczema drives me crazy.
12. I love cranking up the music and singing along in my truck.
13. I don't have any particular misgivings about this number but I do think it's weird that alot of planes don't have a row 13. Amazing how deep superstition runs.
14. I work with a great bunch of people at one of the best Barnes and Noble bookstores in the country :) My cafe crew especially are an outstanding group and I'm so thankful for them.
15. Don't feel like having a 15
16. I love reading. Agatha Christie is one of my favorite author. I also like alot of historical fiction. And yes...I really liked the Twilight series. Probably my favorite of the books I read last year was "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" and as for new fiction "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society."
17. I would one day like to have my own coffee shop. I want it to be a place where lots of different people can come and feel connected to a community. I want to have regular customers who have regular drinks and regular tables. I want to have local art on the walls and free book exchanges and sewing lessons and local music...and storytime for the kiddos.
18. That being said...I am actually working towards this goal by working at B&N and getting management experience, etc. When I say I'm a Barista, I'm proud of it because I do get to connect with people on a daily basis through what I do...even if that is selling them a $4 cup of coffee.
19. I freakin' love 80's music :D
20. I love DIY stuff. I'm working on reupholstering my couches on my own, I make/alter my clothes, I cut mine and Greg's hair, and I constantly have lots of little projects going on involving making various gadgets and gizmos.
21 was a pretty cool birthday...I got to go to Paris.
22. I'm looking forward to being a dual citizen (eventually). My kids will get to live just about anywhere they want to in Europe or the US, and probably Canada or Australia if they want. So cool!
23 is the number of my locker at work...(can you tell I'm getting tired?)
24. Sometimes I really wish there could be more hours in the day. Not every day, just some of them. Wouldn't it be cool if we could bank time so if a really crappy day came along we could just end it sooner and save the hours for a really busy day?
25 is how old I will be in just over a week. I'm pretty ok with that...my life is good right now :)
time for a break...
Somehow the last few days before vacation seem to drag on the slowest...I have next week off and it has been 7 months since I had some proper time off. I'm very much looking forward to catching my breath, spending quality time with Greg and some friends, and only making coffee for Greg and me
Anyway, I've been really nostalgic lately...reading through old blogs and messages and thinking about all the people I've known along the way. People who were really important at one time and now I never speak to. People that even if they don't know it, I would still drop everything to be there for them if they needed me. I know I'm not always so good at keeping in touch, but it's really something I can't force, and I know that when the right time comes, we will pick up where we left off. I trust that and I hope all of you know that I love you.
Sorry if this seems rambling or sappy, but that's kinda the mood right now. I feel anxious and content, tired but restless, calm but pensive. Do you ever wish you could go back to those people you cared so much about and tell them, without fumbling over the words, exactly how you feel? Or go back to those all important moments and seal every detail in your mind? Remember every feeling that you felt? Sometimes memories are so frustrating because they seem tainted by your current mood. It's so hard to remember your mindset at the time and why you were so passionate or apathetic or angry or sad. Some moments I would like to live again, even if they were unpleasant...because they are the moments when I feel most alive, and absolutely sure I was changing in that very moment. Maybe that's why good and bad moments can hurt so much...maybe you're experiencing growing pains because everything is happening so fast that your body, mind, and soul can't keep up.
I think sometimes that I'm tired of being angry, of holding grudges, of bitterness. I think it's wasting my time and eating away at me, but honestly I don't know that it is. I think it's all being absorbed into who I am by osmosis, and if I tried to overcome it then I might forget the lessons I learned (and am still learning). Slowly but surely I'm getting over that stuff...letting it dull and not smart so much. But it's still there. The truth and the fact of the pain is still there, just the anger is dying away. And I don't really feel like rushing it. The little everyday things that I get so fired up about...those I should probably work on, but the long term stuff...well it will take care of itself.
ok now...time for sleep...
Anyway, I've been really nostalgic lately...reading through old blogs and messages and thinking about all the people I've known along the way. People who were really important at one time and now I never speak to. People that even if they don't know it, I would still drop everything to be there for them if they needed me. I know I'm not always so good at keeping in touch, but it's really something I can't force, and I know that when the right time comes, we will pick up where we left off. I trust that and I hope all of you know that I love you.
Sorry if this seems rambling or sappy, but that's kinda the mood right now. I feel anxious and content, tired but restless, calm but pensive. Do you ever wish you could go back to those people you cared so much about and tell them, without fumbling over the words, exactly how you feel? Or go back to those all important moments and seal every detail in your mind? Remember every feeling that you felt? Sometimes memories are so frustrating because they seem tainted by your current mood. It's so hard to remember your mindset at the time and why you were so passionate or apathetic or angry or sad. Some moments I would like to live again, even if they were unpleasant...because they are the moments when I feel most alive, and absolutely sure I was changing in that very moment. Maybe that's why good and bad moments can hurt so much...maybe you're experiencing growing pains because everything is happening so fast that your body, mind, and soul can't keep up.
I think sometimes that I'm tired of being angry, of holding grudges, of bitterness. I think it's wasting my time and eating away at me, but honestly I don't know that it is. I think it's all being absorbed into who I am by osmosis, and if I tried to overcome it then I might forget the lessons I learned (and am still learning). Slowly but surely I'm getting over that stuff...letting it dull and not smart so much. But it's still there. The truth and the fact of the pain is still there, just the anger is dying away. And I don't really feel like rushing it. The little everyday things that I get so fired up about...those I should probably work on, but the long term stuff...well it will take care of itself.
ok now...time for sleep...
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