I’ll Have The Usual

How well do you know the Baristas at your favorite coffee shop? Do they know what you’re going to order upon arrival? My coffee drink of choice doesn’t take much time to create (black coffee or straight espresso), so a few of the Baristas around town are just about ready to pour or pull when I arrive, but some don’t know it and that’s okay; I honestly don’t expect them to.

I recently had a conversation with a familiar Barista who doesn’t know my usual. I asked her about remembering the drinks most often ordered by regulars and she told me that it’s difficult to memorize, and that starting a drink as the person enters is problematic because it may ultimately be the wrong one. Nevertheless, the Barista told me that she makes an effort to know. In fact, she feels that regular customers are disappointed when their drink of choice isn’t captured.

The Barista also told that she is more likely to remember the usual when the drink is relatively straight forward, the person comes in a few times a week, and makes an effort to get to know her. After our conversation, the Barista asked what my drink of choice is, and she’s likely to remember upon my return.

Get to know the Baristas at your favorite coffee shops. Beyond saying hello and ordering your drink of choice, ask a question about coffee, the coffee shop, or something you think may elicit a meaningful response.

Next time I visit a coffee shop, I’ll be asking the Barista:

Have you been caught eavesdropping on a customers’ conversation?