Do baristas annoy you?
You walk into your favorite coffee shop, find a good spot, mark your temporary territory with a book or an invaluable belonging, walk over to the counter, and look up the menu. You’re thinking of what to order, when a familiar voice cuts in, “Hi (name)! Let me guess. Non-fat white chocolate mocha, no whipped cream, and chocolate eclair?” It’s the barista, naming your usual order which you’ve been getting for the past how many weeks.
On the one hand, it’s flattering that he or she actually remembers your name, your usual order, and even correctly associated it with your face. On the other, it’s a bit presumptuous. What makes him or her think that you don’t have enough sense of adventure to try out something new right now? Do you look like the kind of person who can’t help but stick to his boring old routine? Non-fat? Aren’t you looking more fit today, so that you deserve a calorie-laden frappuccino with double servings of whipped cream?
Next situation. You’re in the mood for a quiet, relaxing day. What could be a better setting than your neighborhood cafe, with that steady buzz of coffee brewing, the subdued chatter that blends into white noise, and the soft jazzy music playing in the background? You settle into a comfy chair, open your chosen feel-good book or magazine, and then suddenly, that familiar voice again asks you, “Hey (name)! How are you doing?” You smile politely and say you’re fine, thank you very much. You’re about to go back to your book when it cuts in again. “Oh, you’re not working today? Are you on leave?” Again, it’s flattering that he or she remembers you, and some things about your life which you probably shared bit by bit through your frequent visits. But isn’t it obvious that you just want to enjoy some quiet alone time? And, it’s not like you’re old buddies.
Do baristas annoy you?
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