Comment

Comment by Corey Roberts on April 8, 2009 at 11:30am

A barista after my own heart.

Comment by Mallory on February 24, 2009 at 9:13am

bahahahahahaha! that's fantastic. y'know, i have this mental fantasy...we don't have one of those signs in our shop "we reserve the right to refuse service' blah blah blah... but you know how sometimes you practice and play out 'if this happened, i'd do this' situations? if i had a customer who was a real prick or...prick-ess... how i'd abruptly write those words on a post it and stick it to their forehead and tell them to gtf out. it's a real stand-up moment in my mind. *sigh* sweet sweet inner dialogue!

Comment by Claire Marie on February 24, 2009 at 8:59am

Oh, I totally agree with Mallory on the subject of educating before berating, it's when you politely say, I'm sorry that will scald the milk, or I don't put three inches of foam on my lattes, and SF is really not all that SF. Then they respond, 'can I just give you money for my goddamn latte or what?' Then I politely tell them to f off.

Comment by Mallory on February 24, 2009 at 8:52am

if you think about it, even 'those' customers are... oozing with potential. i mean, i look at myself, my own coffee-esque evolution... i used to drown poorly made espresso in three syrups and sauces at a time! palate unrefined, but orally boasting with taste! with my current misanthropic mindset in mind, i look back at what a pain in the ass i'm sure i was to my local barista. i hold a special place for even the most annoying/ignorant/know-it-all/demanding etc etc etc customers. the 'special' coffee folk. the ones i have to just unhinge my neck for and just smiiiile and nod through. it's like being on my way to an educated toad whilst serving tons of little tadpoles. hopefully, with time, they'll evolve too. aaaand i mean that in the LEAST narcissistic sounding way possible.

Comment by Jesse -D-> on February 24, 2009 at 8:20am

I used to be a fine dining chef, don't even get me started on the ribeye with ketchup subject, because I've seen worse than that.

Comment by Mike McGinness on February 24, 2009 at 7:16am

The worst part was asking for scalded milk. I'll do extra hot when asked but not that hot, explaining it destroys the milk's texture and sweetness. We don't carry SF Irish Cream so that would have been an easy no can do. Indeed it can be a fine line between providing the best coffee beverage of the type a customer wants and just making liquid garbage.

Comment by Claire Marie on February 24, 2009 at 7:04am

My whole idea is, if you give in to one person for drinks like that, you start to lose your hold on all that is good in the world. Next thing you know, people will be asking for their ribeye well done with ketchup on top, it would be tragic.

Comment by Jesse -D-> on February 24, 2009 at 6:47am

IF your not even gonna try what we preach then you deserve to get kicked out on the street. We got rid of our caramel syrup a while ago and I tried to get this guy to have a plain latte. HE had only ever had a plain latte from big green but insisted that he just doesn't like it without the caramel. hE proceeded to buy caramel syrup from a local grocery store and then had the balls to ask if we would keep it in the store for him. Put up with 2 assholes, change one mind it is still progress.