I've actually really enjoyed my time at Starbucks so far. It's a funny sort of environment/cult that one becomes a part of once they start working at a franchise. Recently, my dreams have consisted of fast and furious rushes in the drive-thru during which I make drink after drink at 6am, knowing full well that I wasn't scheduled to be in until 2 that afternoon. My favorite part, though, is the customers.
I work in a town nearby my hometown, so I know a few people who come through the store, but not a lot. However, since there are so many "regulars" at my Starbucks, I have made some new acquaintances. Some of these individuals I now know by name. Countless others, though, I know by drink.
Just two days ago, I was wandering slightly aimlessly around Target (just down the road from my Starbucks) and saw Venti Nonfat Caramel Macchiato. Now, of course, this is not this woman's Christian name. Rather, it is her drink. Nearly every day I see this woman, speak with her, smile at her, ask about her health and her day, but have yet to learn her name. Instead, I know it is her as soon as she pulls up to the speaker and tells me she wants a venti-sized nonfat caramel macchiato. Therefore, when I saw this woman doing her shopping around Target, I immediately said her drink in my head. No speaker, headset or window separated us. I was no longer donning my lovely green apron, splattered with mocha sauce. However, I still identified her as her coffee beverage. I'm sure if she'd seen me, she would've said, "There's Kelsey, the barista."
Now, I don't necessarily want to be identified as my transient profession of glorified coffee jerk. Conversely, though, I am pretty sure there is much more to these people than the Starbucks drinks they order every day. I mean, Tall Quad Ristretto 2-Pump No Whip Mocha doesn't really identify with his drink on a personal level. Maybe he does, given its complexity, but I doubt it. More boring orders like Venti Unsweetened Iced Green Tea in a Personal Cup are probably not necessarily more boring people, but who knows? I do know that I love chatting with Venti Mocha Frappuccino with Mocha Drizzle, but don't care too much for the low grumblings of Unsweetened Venti Iced Coffee with Light 2% Milk. However, Venti Iced Coffee, Sweet but no Milk is one of the most adorable little Asian men I've ever encountered. It makes me think of the whole theory that pet owners start to look like their pets, or vice versa. Does that really hold true?
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