It sounds rather like working in Woolworths, as I did in the 70s. We had one regular we called The Sheriff, as he wore a sheriff's badge on his coat. I don't think he could speak, but he hung around the tobacco kiosk all day. Also, there was a man that dressed as an old-style schoolboy, in cap, blazer and shorts.
Oh I love this! Really takes me back. My favourite customer was Cowboy Man, who wore a spotless powder blue safari suit and a stetson and just said one word: 'Ristretto.' (We later found out he was homeless)
Funny. It’s the best way to people watch. I did it for a few years too - waiting on - I wasn’t much of a barista. I would struggle not to gawp though and I’m sure many a customer would catch me agog.
There were stressful sides but it is great for reminding you that everyone has a story, baristas are a bit like bartenders in that people will just vent to you
Heh I hope it’s clear that it’s mostly affectionate, even ‘death threat’ was just very unwell that day. Though we did tell the guy who kept talking to foreign women (whether they wanted him to or not) to stop bothering them because that was a PATTERN. I can still remember the orders of most of the regulars.
It sounds rather like working in Woolworths, as I did in the 70s. We had one regular we called The Sheriff, as he wore a sheriff's badge on his coat. I don't think he could speak, but he hung around the tobacco kiosk all day. Also, there was a man that dressed as an old-style schoolboy, in cap, blazer and shorts.
Oh I love this! Really takes me back. My favourite customer was Cowboy Man, who wore a spotless powder blue safari suit and a stetson and just said one word: 'Ristretto.' (We later found out he was homeless)
Funny. It’s the best way to people watch. I did it for a few years too - waiting on - I wasn’t much of a barista. I would struggle not to gawp though and I’m sure many a customer would catch me agog.
There were stressful sides but it is great for reminding you that everyone has a story, baristas are a bit like bartenders in that people will just vent to you
This is great. A lot of overlap with tending bar. I would've loved to serve 'Go hard or go home' - he's my kinda crowd!
Love the way you have silly names for the customers 😆😆
Heh I hope it’s clear that it’s mostly affectionate, even ‘death threat’ was just very unwell that day. Though we did tell the guy who kept talking to foreign women (whether they wanted him to or not) to stop bothering them because that was a PATTERN. I can still remember the orders of most of the regulars.
Yes of course , I do the same for the guys I date 😆 even though on here I name them by a tarot card, I have different names for them outside 😃
Yussss! So glad you've written about this. Your barista stories were always the best!