If you ask me, I have what seems like an endless amount of weird or awful customer stories from odd drink orders, rude behavior, and some silly moments that just make you shake your head in pure confusion. These stories, now that some time has passed, can be comic relief after a hard day and every barista has stories like this that they enjoy telling. You can scroll through nearly every social media app to find people telling their own ridiculous tales from the coffee front lines.
When I asked on Instagram what kind of content people would want to see on my blog, one person asked me to share stories of the nice customers that make the job worth it. It got me thinking because those customers can be a bright spot during a busy day but do not get the same attention as the awful ones. Likes and shares shape so much of the content that creators put out that it is easy to focus on the negative that often gets more engagement than with the positive that warms the heart.
So, in no particular order, here is an ode to some of the customers that have made my day:
Ally: Iced Almond Milk Latte w/ One Raw Sugar
My favorite feminist. Your passion for standing up for the disenfranchised and the oppressed was evident in our conversations, and you always were there to talk about the stress of the world. You always got the same thing so I had your iced latte ready but I didn’t want you to rush off because I loved our talks over the bar. I hope you are doing well, that you found a screenwriting job that you enjoy, and that you never stop fighting.
Justin (You asked for this): Large Cold Brew with Oat Milk, Caramel, and no ice
You were the first customer to actually use my pronouns and continue to be the sweetest person I’ve met since moving to Virginia. Thank you for bringing baby chickens to the store on the way to the farm so that our staff could have a little dose of cuteness and for always being excited about my new drinks. You brightened my day when I saw you come in.
Israel: Large Cappuccino with four sugars
Thanks for being a genuinely nice guy even though you are a hot shot actor. You were always happy to see me and my coworkers on shift, had great conversations, and you had my back during a misunderstanding with a coworker. When I stopped working at that shop, you were honestly one of the first customers that I thought off and missed.
Kayleigh: Large Iced Oat Milk Latte
You and Justin easily became our FOH favorite from the beginning, and then we found out that you two were married! You took a personal interest in each of our lives, celebrated our accomplishments, and always took the time to show you cared when we were going through a hard time.
Mary: Large Hot Latte w/ 7 pumps of Salted Caramel Syrup
I respect this woman. She was a regular and would come in to order her “monstrosity” (her words), like three times a week at least. She was in the film industry with expensive clothes, a Porsche, and, while very nice, always gave me the impression that she took no sh*t and was slightly eccentric but in the best way. She actually hated coffee but she needed the caffeine so she would just drown out the coffee taste with sugar. I hope I have the same energy when I grow up.
Connor: Cap with oat milk
The only person I have ever posted a missed connections post on a dating site about, but I don’t think she ever saw it. She had the coolest style, we had great conversations, and I would have loved to take her on one of those dates where you go to coffee to get to know each other better.
John, Jess, and Josephine: Pour Over and Drip w/ Two Splashes of Milk
The kindest little family that truly appreciated all my coffee choices for the shop and were so excited to taste new coffees I brought on. I loved them so much that any coffees that had aged out for sale, I offered to them for free and they were thrilled. Also, our store was the first place they brought their daughter after she got vaccinated because it meant so much to them and wanted it to be the first place she could go into safely.
Angela: Whatever We Recommended
One of my favorite all-around customers. She would get excited about new drinks, ask us how we were doing and really care about the answer, and we would gab about Steven Universe nearly every time she came in. She has her own bakery now and I hope she is doing well.
Customers on the internet are often reduced to Karen’s and Kyle’s, with skits and bits to make fun of the weird episodes that take place at every coffee shop. However, a good customer that connects with you, the barista, as a person and treats you with respect, that is an invaluable part of working in customer service. And, those customers that become friends outside the confines of the shop walls and formica countertops? The cherry on top to the whole coffee shop deal.
Who are your favorite customers? Tell me in the comments below.
The Non-Binary Barista 