I conducted an interview with a few of my Barista coworkers to study better the people who influence the place of business at which I spend time everyday...
Below I've transcribed the interviews...
Interview #1: Giang
So, what does it mean to be a Barista for you?
To me a Barista is someone that makes coffee drinks, but also to brightens up someone's day. Because coffee is the drink that starts people's day.
Do you feel like you are adding to the community?
Yes. I say yes because I try to be as nice as possible and positive. So when I pass it on to people, people leave with the same attitude and pass it on to other people
Whats your general attitude towards coffee
Oh, I love coffee. I can't live without it It plays a daily part in my life, even before I became a barista.
Has this store affected your attitude towards coffee?
No. Wait, I take that back. After working at this location, and being exposed to more coffee, I enjoy coffee even that much more. It broadened my horizon for coffee. It's definitely a passion.
Whats your attitude to cafes in general, not just Starbucks.
I think cafes are dependent on location. I enjoy cafes that aren't that busy because I like to sit in cafes and study. I also like to reconnect with people and I like that open space and quite background noise. But if it gets to crazy, I'm not likely to go back. It's like an upscale library where you can have intellectual conversations.
Does the work here affect your life outside of the store.
Yeah, like I said earlier about being a positive face that people see, when you see other people who aren't being positive it can bring down your day a little bit. You try to fight that, but sometimes it just gets to you.
Would you say personal relationships have been affected?
Yes. Coffee drinkers like their coffee really early in the morning, and having to work such early hours have affected my personal life. They can be a strain to my current relationships. But I've been trying tom mange my time better, but when I first started it was a big adjustment. It's self-inflicted because I asked for the morning hours. I also goes both ways, because if you're a night person and you close the store, you won't be able to schedule anything at night to see other people.
There is this attitude with 3rd wave cafes that a barista needs to be a master of their skill and have a passion for coffee. What do you think about that?
I think a Barista can encompass many different drink making professions, but coffee is a drink people are very particular about, and that's why they have that idea where Baristas are held up to a high standard. You don't go to a bar and ask for a jack and coke, and expect it to be the most amazing thing you've ever had.
You also get those coffee drinkers who have a different idea of coffee, they want it right away in their hand.
It also depends on location. If you live in a big city, you'll have different expectations and different wants.
Have you had any personal value gained from learning about coffee and being a barista.
I feel like it's affected the way I cook and critique. I'm not critical of people, but I look for things I wouldn't usually look for.
Below I've transcribed the interviews...
Interview #1: Giang
So, what does it mean to be a Barista for you?
To me a Barista is someone that makes coffee drinks, but also to brightens up someone's day. Because coffee is the drink that starts people's day.
Do you feel like you are adding to the community?
Yes. I say yes because I try to be as nice as possible and positive. So when I pass it on to people, people leave with the same attitude and pass it on to other people
Whats your general attitude towards coffee
Oh, I love coffee. I can't live without it It plays a daily part in my life, even before I became a barista.
Has this store affected your attitude towards coffee?
No. Wait, I take that back. After working at this location, and being exposed to more coffee, I enjoy coffee even that much more. It broadened my horizon for coffee. It's definitely a passion.
Whats your attitude to cafes in general, not just Starbucks.
I think cafes are dependent on location. I enjoy cafes that aren't that busy because I like to sit in cafes and study. I also like to reconnect with people and I like that open space and quite background noise. But if it gets to crazy, I'm not likely to go back. It's like an upscale library where you can have intellectual conversations.
Does the work here affect your life outside of the store.
Yeah, like I said earlier about being a positive face that people see, when you see other people who aren't being positive it can bring down your day a little bit. You try to fight that, but sometimes it just gets to you.
Would you say personal relationships have been affected?
Yes. Coffee drinkers like their coffee really early in the morning, and having to work such early hours have affected my personal life. They can be a strain to my current relationships. But I've been trying tom mange my time better, but when I first started it was a big adjustment. It's self-inflicted because I asked for the morning hours. I also goes both ways, because if you're a night person and you close the store, you won't be able to schedule anything at night to see other people.
There is this attitude with 3rd wave cafes that a barista needs to be a master of their skill and have a passion for coffee. What do you think about that?
I think a Barista can encompass many different drink making professions, but coffee is a drink people are very particular about, and that's why they have that idea where Baristas are held up to a high standard. You don't go to a bar and ask for a jack and coke, and expect it to be the most amazing thing you've ever had.
You also get those coffee drinkers who have a different idea of coffee, they want it right away in their hand.
It also depends on location. If you live in a big city, you'll have different expectations and different wants.
Have you had any personal value gained from learning about coffee and being a barista.
I feel like it's affected the way I cook and critique. I'm not critical of people, but I look for things I wouldn't usually look for.
Interview #2: Bri
What does it mean to be a barista for you?
Being a barista means you are a coffee maker, delivering customer service, knowing coffee basics, the drinks, and how to make them.
So if you met another Barista, you would expect them to know all of these things?
Yes, and probably more knowledge. There's always more to learn.
Do you meet your own standards as a barista?
No, I think I need more growth, and I'm learning new things all the time.
Do you feel like you're adding to the community?
I help people by making their day, by making their coffee and giving them good customer service. I feel like it goes a long way when you're nice to someone when they're having a bad day. "They were nice, I'm going to be more positive in my day."
How do you deal with the mean ones?
I smile at them and say, "Have a nice day". I'm really annoying and cheerful about it. You make them feel guilty in a nice way.
Do you have a general attitude towards coffee.
A hot cup of coffee in a coffee shop. But there are so many different ways to have coffee.
Has working here affected your attitude towards coffee?
I'm willing to try more things now, because I used to just have iced coffee.
Do you have coffee anywhere else?
No, I just go to Starbucks. I'm more patient with other Starbucks because I know that mistakes happen.
Has work here affected your personal life?
I'm way more nicer to people in general. I used to be rude at places because the workers were slow, but now I'm more sensitive to the situation.
Has your personal relationships been affected?
I've made a lot of friends here, but otherwise no. I don't hang out with them either, but we talk sometimes. The hours are very flexible and are perfect for me.
Do you like coffee?
Yes. I get headaches if I don't have any coffee. If I don't drink it by twelve then I get the headaches. It's really bad.
There is this attitude with 3rd wave cafes that a barista needs to be a master of their skill and have a passion for coffe. What do you think about that?
I don't think there should be a specific criteria. A jobs a job, some people might like it and some people might not like coffee at all and work at Starbucks. If you had to like coffee a lot of people wouldn't get a job at Starbucks. It's more of getting your foot in the door to get work experience. A lot of people don't make this as a career choice.
Do you have personal value as a Barista and your knowledge?
Yes, because now I know so much more about coffee and that it's opened my eyes because it's kind of cool. I'm taking things to learn on my journey. I have a better understanding how businesses work. Don't rush them and be sensitive to the fact that they're servicing you. Don't be rude about it.
What does it mean to be a barista for you?
Being a barista means you are a coffee maker, delivering customer service, knowing coffee basics, the drinks, and how to make them.
So if you met another Barista, you would expect them to know all of these things?
Yes, and probably more knowledge. There's always more to learn.
Do you meet your own standards as a barista?
No, I think I need more growth, and I'm learning new things all the time.
Do you feel like you're adding to the community?
I help people by making their day, by making their coffee and giving them good customer service. I feel like it goes a long way when you're nice to someone when they're having a bad day. "They were nice, I'm going to be more positive in my day."
How do you deal with the mean ones?
I smile at them and say, "Have a nice day". I'm really annoying and cheerful about it. You make them feel guilty in a nice way.
Do you have a general attitude towards coffee.
A hot cup of coffee in a coffee shop. But there are so many different ways to have coffee.
Has working here affected your attitude towards coffee?
I'm willing to try more things now, because I used to just have iced coffee.
Do you have coffee anywhere else?
No, I just go to Starbucks. I'm more patient with other Starbucks because I know that mistakes happen.
Has work here affected your personal life?
I'm way more nicer to people in general. I used to be rude at places because the workers were slow, but now I'm more sensitive to the situation.
Has your personal relationships been affected?
I've made a lot of friends here, but otherwise no. I don't hang out with them either, but we talk sometimes. The hours are very flexible and are perfect for me.
Do you like coffee?
Yes. I get headaches if I don't have any coffee. If I don't drink it by twelve then I get the headaches. It's really bad.
There is this attitude with 3rd wave cafes that a barista needs to be a master of their skill and have a passion for coffe. What do you think about that?
I don't think there should be a specific criteria. A jobs a job, some people might like it and some people might not like coffee at all and work at Starbucks. If you had to like coffee a lot of people wouldn't get a job at Starbucks. It's more of getting your foot in the door to get work experience. A lot of people don't make this as a career choice.
Do you have personal value as a Barista and your knowledge?
Yes, because now I know so much more about coffee and that it's opened my eyes because it's kind of cool. I'm taking things to learn on my journey. I have a better understanding how businesses work. Don't rush them and be sensitive to the fact that they're servicing you. Don't be rude about it.
Interview #3: Lalo
What dos it mean to be a barista to you?
A barista to me means making drinks for people who expect the best out of you, so you can make them happy because that's what they love. They come for the drinks they love, and they expect to get the same drink every time.
Do you feel like you're adding to the community?
Yes, because people get really excited and compliment the drinks I make for them. It makes me feel good about the work that I am doing and that I'm doing it right.
Whats your general attitude towards coffee.
I don't drink coffee at all. It's not my go-to priority drink. I usually go with something else then coffee.
Do you feel like this is an environment you can excel in without liking coffee?
Yes and no. You don't have to like coffee, but just knowing information about coffee would benefit you a lot.
Has the store affected your attitude towards coffee?
Yes, because before I wouldn't even look at coffee or even think abut drinking coffee. I'm now more open to trying it and trying different drinks with espresso. I used to just get the caramel frappuccino.
Do you have a go-to drink?
Yes, the Strawberry Acai with Lemonade. It's my go-to drink that I almost have to drink everyday.
Whats your attitude to cafes in general?
I think the cafe is the perfect environment if you want to go somewhere is subtle and quiet. You can sit down quielty and have your drink of choice.
Do you find yourself acting differently now at cafes outside of work?
Yes, because I know sometimes they mess up you drink. I do that sometimes. I don't focus too much on it, and I'll let them know. It's fine, I'll get it remade. I won't make a scene about it like before. Working here- It's rough in the beginning, but you get used to it. We're a really busy store and it's easy to fall back.
Have your personal relationships been affected by your job here?
Yes, you meet a lot of different people here. You make friends, you sometimes make enemies like the "Pee-Pee Man".
Pee-Pee Man has it out for us.
Has has it out for us and nobody knows why. You meet a lot of new people, not always in a negative way, but also in a positive way. You meet a lot of great friends.
There is this attitude with 3rd wave cafes that a barista needs to be a master of their skill and have a passion for coffe. What do you think about that?
I think that can be a pretty strong statement to make. You can do an excellent job and not be passionate about coffee. Yes having passion for coffee will push you to do better, but you can also have a passion to do better for yourself.
Has there been any personal value for yourself from working here?
I think when people just compliment the work you do and your work ethics is nice when they recognize your effort.
What dos it mean to be a barista to you?
A barista to me means making drinks for people who expect the best out of you, so you can make them happy because that's what they love. They come for the drinks they love, and they expect to get the same drink every time.
Do you feel like you're adding to the community?
Yes, because people get really excited and compliment the drinks I make for them. It makes me feel good about the work that I am doing and that I'm doing it right.
Whats your general attitude towards coffee.
I don't drink coffee at all. It's not my go-to priority drink. I usually go with something else then coffee.
Do you feel like this is an environment you can excel in without liking coffee?
Yes and no. You don't have to like coffee, but just knowing information about coffee would benefit you a lot.
Has the store affected your attitude towards coffee?
Yes, because before I wouldn't even look at coffee or even think abut drinking coffee. I'm now more open to trying it and trying different drinks with espresso. I used to just get the caramel frappuccino.
Do you have a go-to drink?
Yes, the Strawberry Acai with Lemonade. It's my go-to drink that I almost have to drink everyday.
Whats your attitude to cafes in general?
I think the cafe is the perfect environment if you want to go somewhere is subtle and quiet. You can sit down quielty and have your drink of choice.
Do you find yourself acting differently now at cafes outside of work?
Yes, because I know sometimes they mess up you drink. I do that sometimes. I don't focus too much on it, and I'll let them know. It's fine, I'll get it remade. I won't make a scene about it like before. Working here- It's rough in the beginning, but you get used to it. We're a really busy store and it's easy to fall back.
Have your personal relationships been affected by your job here?
Yes, you meet a lot of different people here. You make friends, you sometimes make enemies like the "Pee-Pee Man".
Pee-Pee Man has it out for us.
Has has it out for us and nobody knows why. You meet a lot of new people, not always in a negative way, but also in a positive way. You meet a lot of great friends.
There is this attitude with 3rd wave cafes that a barista needs to be a master of their skill and have a passion for coffe. What do you think about that?
I think that can be a pretty strong statement to make. You can do an excellent job and not be passionate about coffee. Yes having passion for coffee will push you to do better, but you can also have a passion to do better for yourself.
Has there been any personal value for yourself from working here?
I think when people just compliment the work you do and your work ethics is nice when they recognize your effort.