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Permalink Reply by Brent hall on September 21, 2010 at 8:59am

I haven't researched the studies at the bottom yet, but it's pretty compelling.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2lyEcc/discountvouchers.org/money-in-...

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Hoeppner on September 21, 2010 at 9:54am

I'm an owner. I have 5/8" gauges in my ears. I have visible tattoos. I live in one of the MOST conservative places on this planet. Some people who come up to the bar and order a drink see that I'm 6' tall, 200+lbs with tattoos and piercings and assume that I'm 2 seconds away from curb stomping them, but then are blown out of the water when I talk to them and give them one of the best customer service experiences of their lives. I'm a super nice guy, and pretty dang silly too. Even in this community where tipping is a foreign concept, I get tips. I'm sure that I'd make way more tips elsewhere, here I'm making max tips. Our super cute part-timer girls make no more that I do, being free of any piercing other than lobes and NO tattoos at all. Rock your style. Keep customer service your number one and you'll do fine.

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Permalink Reply by Darren Reynolds on September 21, 2010 at 9:44pm

Well said.

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Permalink Reply by Alex Negranza on September 22, 2010 at 1:36am

Interesting observation. I remember starting an blog on this, but never got around to completing it.

I personally had up to both ears pierced, lip ring, nose ring, eyebrow and "anti-eyebrow" pierced. That was a little much. I've reduced it to just the two "eyebrow" piercings. I also have two visible tattoos on my forearms as well as dreads.

The thing I've learned the most by having this visual appearance is that yes, in fact, people care what you look like. But in becoming a coffee professional, you must also embody the professional service; that includes going against the stereotypes of what you appear to represent. Being professional, for some, also means being a separate personality. That's what some customer services call for, it's the only way to best connect with the customer.

Long Story short: Tips are about customer service, and your looks have nothing to do with customer service. =-)

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Robertson on September 22, 2010 at 7:08pm

Very nice post Alex. My fav on this subject so far.
Small town like where my shop is located (1500) locals.
Big town? It doesn't matter. As Alex points out it's all about your customer service. If a customer walks out because of your looks then they were not in your shop for coffee and great service anyway. Move on because some one behind that person wants a great cup of joe and service to go with it. Life goes on with in you and with out you.
Joe



Alex Negranza said:

Interesting observation. I remember starting an blog on this, but never got around to completing it.

I personally had up to both ears pierced, lip ring, nose ring, eyebrow and "anti-eyebrow" pierced. That was a little much. I've reduced it to just the two "eyebrow" piercings. I also have two visible tattoos on my forearms as well as dreads.

The thing I've learned the most by having this visual appearance is that yes, in fact, people care what you look like. But in becoming a coffee professional, you must also embody the professional service; that includes going against the stereotypes of what you appear to represent. Being professional, for some, also means being a separate personality. That's what some customer services call for, it's the only way to best connect with the customer.

Long Story short: Tips are about customer service, and your looks have nothing to do with customer service. =-)

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Permalink Reply by Shellie Adams on September 22, 2010 at 7:20pm

I don't think having a nose piercing will do too much to your tips as long as you know what you are doing. Right now I have a green mohawk and no eyebrows but I still get tipped just as much as when I had "normal" red hair. If you are friendly and can make a damn-good drink I believe you're in the clear.

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Permalink Reply by Jacob on October 5, 2010 at 11:06am

I never really noticed a difference, and I have my ears stretched over an inch and I have facial tattoos. It totally depends on the area you work.

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