I got it! I landed the most exclusive and coveted part-time job all teenagers dream of but only the chosen few get. It was THE hangout spot, THE reason we would dig through the couch for those extra quarters and THE thing to have in your hand when walking into first period. STARBUCKS. Little did I know that years later I would be thanking that green, mocha-stained apron for more than just a vast knowledge of caffeinated drinks. But here I am, looking down at my yogurt stained yoga pants and realizing just how much Starbucks prepared me for this job…called motherhood.
Freshen your mug and let’s examine shall we?
Waking up at the crack of dawn…and being productive
The store I worked at opened at 6 am. SIX AM! Which means this 17-year-old was meeting her fellow sleepy barista at 5 am to open the store and prep for the day’s nonstop flurry of caffeine addicts. Now, I’m not saying every day was easy but gradually, I found that so long as I kept myself moving with the next task in mind and a little pressure, I quickly made it through eight productive hours no problem. Oh Starbucks…are you the one to thank for my daily to-do lists and clean laundry? I think you just may be a contributor. You see, soon after I transitioned to staying home full-time I realized if I didn’t have a list of things to do and held myself to it, I would quickly go down like a ton of bricks after that crack of dawn awakening. Now, I’m not saying some days I don’t “cash it in” but here’s one thing you can’t get around…those babies grow into toddlers. Toddlers who wake up at 6:30 am and stay awake. Get your cup of joe and get after it.
Dealing with irrational people
Before my experience as a barista I thought the most irrational person was my mother for not letting me stay out later than 10 pm. Well, hell hath no fury like an 8 pump sugar-free-vanilla, non-fat, 180 degree, 2 Splenda drinker not getting the right milk to foam ratio in their first of 5 daily cappuccinos. If you’ve ever stood in the crowd of anxious folks waiting for their steamy lattes from “the bar” I’m sure you’ve witnessed something of this nature. Nothing huge. Nothing that can’t easily be fixed. But there’s no leveling with them…you’ve messed with their caffeine equilibrium and you will know it. Oh 17-year-old Melissa…let me introduce you to your 20-month-old daughter. Your little bundle of joy screaming her head off for literally no reason and half the time hitting you with no fear of harassment lawsuits in sight. That’s when I summon my barista schooling. Breathe, take a step back from the smoking espresso machine and recite the mantra, “I’m the one with the power here.” I got this.
Talking to unresponsive people
This worked in two ways: the passerby and the “I’m just here for the coffee.” If you were unfortunate enough to be stuck at a location joined to a Barnes & Noble you got your share of passersby. I mean you may as well be the Barnes & Noble welcoming committee. And let me tell you, those people are on a mission. Never expect a response from them. Then there’s the latter, the grumpy tired person that doesn’t care you’ve been up since 4:30 am. Look, I get it, but for the love of chocolate my manager is standing right there so please say hello back to me!? I don’t know about you but I was pretty much screaming this same sentiment in my head at around the 4 month mark with my baby girl. The amount of hours I spent talking to her sweet little face only to receive a plethora of expressions having nothing to do with what I was actually saying. And now, on the flip side, knowing she can understand me but choosing not to talk to me. I’m sorry, when did the Barnes & Noble open in my house?
Nothing ever stays the same for long
One word. PSL. If you’re living under a rock that stands for Pumpkin Spice Latte and just one of the hundred specialty drinks that traipse in and out of the Starbucks menu at what seems like a whim. It just goes to show that nothing stays the same for long at the good ol’ Starbucks. Just as you’re used to one routine and mastered those recipes including your pumpkin spice sprinkle technique, get ready for another. Oh, look at that, my child just went from two naps to one. Oh, we’re eating solids now. Oh, they can climb on everything so these four rooms are now off limits. Just smile, take it in and get as much of that PSL as you can while it lasts because who knows what the next season will bring!
