Questions at a Coffee Shop
I'm a writer, and part of my process is questions...I’m sitting at Peet’s on Chestnut and I have some:
For customers:
Is the line a social experience or a means to an end?
Are their indoor sunglasses a fashion statement or hangover reveal?
Do they have a cool “coffee name”?
(A “coffee name” is different than the name on your credit card or account, Franklin, the chatty fun barista in Peet’s threw this one in)
Is the music they’re bumping on their headphones cooler than mine?
How would they react if I actually told them what I listened to? "Lucky" by Britney Spears is a remarkably deep song people...
When they walk in in the middle of our lives and later someone asks “So what did you do today?” will they say they got coffee?
It seems like the word “with” is the operative word to turn a non-mentionable errand into a shareworthy experience.
I got coffee with….
As I sit here now how many people are actually working through difficult things together?
Do they walk out after “getting coffee with…” and have a fresh perspective and new hope?
Or do they walk out feeling heard and listened to, well worth the $6 cup of coffee?
How many of them change from their “pre-coffee” selves into “post-coffee” selves after having coffee here?
Does just the idea that soon they will be “post coffee” people perk them up a bit?
Or is the “post-coffee” benefit mostly experienced outside the store, after they leave?
How many are coming in here full of misery and loneliness, like I used to frequently and still do at times?
When they do, does it help?
Do they feel part of the human race just for a moment? And after that moment does the loneliness feel colder?
Do they wish someone would “just ask”? Would it help if someone, anyone “just listened”?
And how much would they appreciate the offer even if they said “no”?
Would the no be true?
Is it, at some level, a place where they can come in and order it exactly how they want and they will actually MAKE it how they want?
Do they feel special?
When they don’t get it how they like it will they say something?
And when they do will it be said with confidence and kindness?
If they walk in, like I have, and REALLY have to go to the bathroom do they do I REALLY got to go to the bathroom yoga/dance or do they just hold steady?
Do they wonder if someone is listening next to them when they talk about the most difficult things?
Do they, like I’ve done, order water because they are so broke, they can’t afford anything else?
And are they, like I was, broke emotionally, which feels far more despondent than broke financially?
Do they feel like they are cheating if they go to SBUX when they are avowed “Peet” people?
For the employees:
They are working in a set up where they get a slice of every person’s life that walks by and see what we order.
I wonder if a barista or cashier could guess what someone looks like or who they are based on their coffee order?
Or when they see us do they think “of course they would order that”?
Or “WOW I didn’t think that person would order matcha latte, that’s cool!”?
Or have they reached a beginner’s level mind and are never surprised, mostly delighted to serve?
Do they think, like I do that some customers see their latte order with the joy of a baby behind the glass?
Like do they feel like doctors when they see a proud coffee daddy or mommy say that’s “MINE!”, so beautiful?
Do they spend time wondering what people are feeling? How personally do they take it when someone is angry?
Like do they consider that person might be having a bad day?
Do they know the ones that are noticeable because when they are in a pleasant mood it’s the exception?
How do the brand-new workers relate to the ones who have been here a while?
Do the workers become more jaded or spiritually inspired after working here a while?
Do the baristas notice our moods once they get to know us?
Like do you think they think: “I wonder if Tim’s ok?” given the very nature of the transaction, which is often brief?
Would they, like a bartender, listen to my problems and provide inspiring, quippy points about life?
If they say "the next one's on me" and I drain another large latte, am I better off not driving all tweaked out by caffeine?
Do you think the baristas ever think “I absolutely CRUSHED making that no foam, extra hot latte”?
I wonder how much they appreciate it when I tell them “you made it EXACTLY like I want it”
And does that set up an expectation that the next time I get one and DON’T say it am I hurting their feelings if it’s the same person?
Does ANYONE think like this? Can we talk about it?