Manners and the Service Industry (or, Why You Should Tip Your Barista)

I've worked in retail/food service/ for years now, and it's the type of job where you learn to both love and hate your customers. More than half the time when i greet a customer, i get a response of :

I need this.
Give me this.
Ok, this, and that, and 2 of those and 4 of these, i think. Got it?

Sometimes they start talking before you even get to say hello. You see them, open your mouth to speak and hear "vanilla. i need vanilla." And then you have to say "what?" because your brain wasn't ready to take orders, and then they think you have a hearing problem. I don't expect a hug and a handshake. They don't even have to tell me how they are. But a smile, or a pause, or an acknowledgement that i have spoken to them and greeted them, or even making eye contact with to me to communicate that they would like help would be nice. And not everyone does that, some customers are wonderful. I had a women the other day who a coworker diverted to me, since i was available and she was not, and the customer(who is a regular) looked at me and almost hopped up and down saying "You're my favorite person!!" That's the kind of interaction that keeps you smiling through everything else. And lately I've been trying to be more conscious of my interactions when *I'm* the customer. I am usually polite, but I've been paying attention to how i act to other people because it's important, and some people are just rude, but i think a lot of people just don't really think about it. And we all need to think about it.

So here's my little tip for all of you - when people in the service industry say "hi, how are you today?" do not say "I need a large decaf latte, no foam and a toasted croissant." Say "I'm good, how are you?" Chances are they will smile. And you might too.

And be nice to your barista. People who haven't had their coffee yet aren't always the most pleasant in the morning, and the barista often gets reduced to a non-person. They aren't quite a waitress, they aren't exactly a cashier - they do all of it. Making a good cappuccino takes some real skill, and they have to create a work of art as quickly as possible while 5 more people waiting in line wonder what could possibly take 2 whole minutes, but expect the same for their order. That little jar full of change isn't for you to take a penny out of - that is for the person serving you, taking your money, and making your drink quickly while still managing a smile. So say thank you, and leave them your change once in a while.