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My boss and the other barista who's been here for about 3 years off and on, are both getting on my case because I adjusted the grinder to a finer grind because my shots were too fast (like <15 seconds fast).

Now, during our summer hours, I was the only barista here, so I had time to perfect MY technique, and I didn't have to worry about other people in my workstation. We also are a slow enough place that we only have one person on shift at a time.

Well, we're back to normal hours and the other barista is back from her summer vacation and she's been giving me nothing but trouble. But that's for another post.

So other barista and my boss try doing shots with my grind. Nothing but drips at best. So instead of adjusting the grinder, they get on my case about it being too fine.

Other barista, who mind you, has over 2 year experience on me, tells me it's BAD for the grinder to adjust it so much.

Uhh... Wat? If you weren't supposed to adjust it as needed, why did they put the adjuster right on the front / top? If you were suppose to always keep it at the same grind, why didn't they make all the grinders one setting only?

My boss is completely on her side. Tells me I'm being too anal about my shots and as long as it has a crema, it's a good shot, timing doesn't matter.

So we have officially gone into crazy land.

I'm being as accomodating as possible. I change the grinder at the end of my shift, I leave the doser empty between shots and only grind enough for my shot (They grind about 10 double shots worth of espresso at a time). It's got to the point that anytime I'm not using the grinder, even when I'm the only one working, I change the setting back to what they like, in case my boss happens to come by and notice the grinder.

They on the other hand, are being absolutely ridiculous. They will come to make themselves a drink (the grinder will already be adjusted for them, since I do it) and they will set the timer on the grinder all the way, which is 30 seconds or so? It's enough grinds to fill our portafilters about 10 times.

So I'm left with 9 shots worth of espresso I can do nothing with. I'll attempt about 2 times before I toss all the espresso they've ground.

I have tried every technique I can think of to get an okay shot out of their grind. I've done what they do, lots of twisting and what not, I've even taken the portafilters in both hands and pushed down on the tamper as hard as I can, with both palms and my shots are 10 seconds long, at best.

I could not tell you why I need it so fine. I just do and my boss and the other barista aren't coffee savvy enough to understand.

Even though I've shown them both numerous times what my shots look like with their grind.

I've talked to a friend who used to work here and has worked at Caribou as well as she says that I'm doing nothing wrong, and I have to agree.

This is why I want my own coffeeshop, so I can train the people right.