1. Blended drinks are our nightmare

Some days a frappe just hits different - they're cold, fun, and delicious! However, they can be a royal pain. Luckily the shop I work at doesn't serve blended drinks, but where I worked in high school did and it can slow up your entire day. While Starbucks is likely the most famous for their creamy milkshake-esque coffee drinks, their baristas aren't particularly fond of them. In any shop, big or small, blended drinks slow up the bar and make getting others' lattes or capps a lot harder to get out in a timely manner.

2. If you want room for cream, please ask!

Watching you pour out some of your drink into the trash pains us in a way that nothing else can. Please, if you need room, just ask.

3. If you have an issue with anything, just speak up!

Baristas, much like any food service or retail worker, cannot read minds! If you have an issue with your drink or your order, just let us know! It's literally our job to make sure you're satisfied, and if you just sit and glare at us we aren't going to know what's wrong!

4. Coffee can be confusing, but reading up a little bit can save us both some time!

Macchiato, cortado, cappuccino, oh my! There are so many ways to enjoy espresso that it can definitely get confusing (and don't get me started on macchiatos - big name stores have rebranded caramel lattes as these simple cups and confused everyone!). I try to explain every drink to customers, but there's tons of easy infographics that you can use to help your next quest for caffeine! I really like this one but a simple google search can help you decided your next order!

5. Latte art is cool! But, it doesn't always turn out...

I am totally jealous of baristas who can pour perfect latte art. It's not easy! I've had people be genuinely disappointed when the drink I pour for them isn't as Instagrammable as another drink and I just want them to know that it's much harder than it looks! So be patient with your barista and enjoy the drink itself rather than just the foam!

6. Sometimes we are just plain out of stock on something

Sometimes things don't arrive in time or we just run out of something before we expected to! It's not the end of the world! The shop I work at preps a lot of the same things we sell, so if we're busy during a prep day and don't get to it, some customers are floored at the idea of choosing anything else. To those folks I say, I'm sorry, but not sorry enough to go prep something that takes a total of 3 hours to make on the spot for your order.

7.  A little small talk goes a long ways

"Hi, good morning! How's your day going?"

"I need a medium drip to go please."

As someone whose strengths genuinely lie in interpersonal communication nothing kills me more than this interaction. Small, kind conversation can make the difference for a barista and a customer both!

8. Ordering a pour over when the shop is busy will make us cry

Pour-overs are amazing - they open up the coffee's flavor and create a nice, bright brew. However, they fall under "slow-bar" drinks and take a lot longer to make. Of course we will still make yours no matter the business of the shop, but if you order a pour over with 10 people in line behind you just know that the stress level at the bar just peaked.

9. Coffee is a community experience

Some days you need to grab a quick cup and go, but try to take some time to visit local coffee shops and sit for a while. Each shop has it's own vibe and you can pick up a lot about what you're drinking. Bring a friend or a loved one or just a good book and settle in for a while. I know as a barista I love having a shop full of smiling faces enjoying their coffee and conversation, and I'm sure other baristas will agree with me. Order a latte and pop a squat, and enjoy!