No other job has taught me so much than my time as a barista. A coffee house is a hub for all walks of life, where a constant stream of people and impressionable moments exists. These moments have taught me a thing or two about a world that I thought I had figured out. Here are five life lessons I have learned as a Barista:
1. We're not all that different.
Everyone loves coffee. It’s the one thing that we all have in common, our need for that steaming hot, dark and delicious beverage. I have seen every walk of life come into Rise Up's little coffee shop, from the mayor of Salisbury to the humblest of homeless. A reminder that we aren't all that different from one another.
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2. Don't judge a person based on the first impression they give you.
Don't judge a person before they've ordered their morning coffee. We have all made terrible first impressions on people, but that doesn't mean we are actually a terrible person. Some people really aren't morning people, and they most definitely need their espresso before they're willing to talk to you.
3. You can't judge a book by its cover.
You see a girl walk in and order a pumpkin spice latte and you think, "Just another basic girl enjoying the most basic drink in existence." But next, in walks a tall burly man, dressed only in well-worn black leather and tattered jeans. What does this very serious and slightly scary man order? Why a pumpkin spice latte of course. College girls aren’t the only people to enjoy a warm and inviting pumpkin spice latte. Even the manliest of men have come in and ordered a PSL. You can never automatically assume you know a person based off of one small detail such as their appearance or their drink order.
4. You can’t please everyone.
A fact we all must come to terms with at some point, not that it didn’t stop me from trying. You can make the perfect drink, feeling like you are literally pouring your heart and soul into every drop of steamed milk, but some people just don’t like lattes. Plain and simple.
5. People can be more than you expect.
While being a barista, I have been humbled by customers who have treated me with such respect or who have left amazing tips just because they liked the way I made a simple coffee. I've had people pay it forward for police officers and I've had others buy a box of a dozen donuts to pass around to the homeless. These random acts of kindness have been enough to change my perspective of this community.
