Manifesto Point #3:
There is no "Exact Change" Contest
By this we mean that you shouldn't stand at the counter (or sit in the drive) for 20 minutes looking for that last penny. It only serves to irritate the baristas, and the people waiting in line behind you. While we appreciate not having to give you change, and we know you want to carry less change around, but it takes up a ton of time. If you've ever been in the drive, seen the barista hand out the drink, and then waited five minutes or longer, chances are the person in front of you is counting out exact change.
You will not win anything, or impress anyone, by paying in exact change. It's nice, but not something to agonize over.
In addition, if you are going to hold everyone up while you search for the last penny, at least be kind to the baristas and give something as a tip. Even if it is only 50 cents. (In reality, it's polite to tip every time. But I suppose this is a post in and of itself.) The baristas now have to deal with all of the angry people behind you, they should at least get something out of it.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Get Off Your Cell Phone!
Manifesto Point #2-c:
Get Off Your Cell Phone!
You have no idea how frustrating this is!
We are trying to take your order and ring you up, and you are distracted by your conversation on the other end of your phone. Then you are angry at us first when we interrupt you to ask about your drink, and then when your drink isn't correct. It's a lose-lose situation for us.
We didn't choose for you to walk into our store while in the middle of a conversation, that was your choice. Which also means that you made the decision for human interaction, not us.
Also, we will not be quiet for you while you sneak through the drive-thru while on a conference call with your boss.
To be absolutely honest, our first thought when you shush us is to shout a whoever is on the phone with you, "He's/She's driving through a coffee shop, can they get you anything?!?" Again I say, it was not our choice for you to drive-thru and get coffee secretly. It is also not our job to make sure your boss never knows that you did it.
If you must come in (or drive-thru) on the phone, at least have the courtesy to ask the other person to hold on a moment, and pull the phone down from your ear. (This ties in closely with treating us like human beings, not drive-thru coffee machines.) I had a customer actually do this the other day, I would have bent over backwards for them.
You see, something simple can go a long way.
Get Off Your Cell Phone!
You have no idea how frustrating this is!
We are trying to take your order and ring you up, and you are distracted by your conversation on the other end of your phone. Then you are angry at us first when we interrupt you to ask about your drink, and then when your drink isn't correct. It's a lose-lose situation for us.
We didn't choose for you to walk into our store while in the middle of a conversation, that was your choice. Which also means that you made the decision for human interaction, not us.
Also, we will not be quiet for you while you sneak through the drive-thru while on a conference call with your boss.
To be absolutely honest, our first thought when you shush us is to shout a whoever is on the phone with you, "He's/She's driving through a coffee shop, can they get you anything?!?" Again I say, it was not our choice for you to drive-thru and get coffee secretly. It is also not our job to make sure your boss never knows that you did it.
If you must come in (or drive-thru) on the phone, at least have the courtesy to ask the other person to hold on a moment, and pull the phone down from your ear. (This ties in closely with treating us like human beings, not drive-thru coffee machines.) I had a customer actually do this the other day, I would have bent over backwards for them.
You see, something simple can go a long way.
Monday, March 16, 2009
We Are Human
Manifesto Point #2-b:
We Are Human!
I know this may come as a shock to most of you (though I'm not sure why), but we are only human.
This means that we are not drive-thru coffee dispensing machines. When we make small talk, it would be nice if you'd answer instead of ignoring us.
We are not contortionists, or related to Mr. Fantastic. When you drive through, pull all the way up to the window, and pull close. Hundreds of other people manage just fine everyday, I'm not sure why some of you just can't get it. We cannot bend out our window, around your windshield, and through your window to hand you your beverage. Would it be really cool? Yeah. Can we do it? Hell no. We also cannot stretch across the entire lane to hand you your coffee. (This is the Mr. Fantastic angle.) The lane is very wide for very wide vehicles. Your little bitty car does not qualify. We shouldn't have to climb out the window.
Of course, if most of you would actually reach out the window for your drink, it just might help. Sticking just your hand out the window does not qualify. If you are all the way across the lane, and you don't reach your arm out the window, don't glare at us if your drink is almost fumbled in passing. We can only reach so far. We are doing everything we can, it wouldn't hurt you to make an effort.
It also means that we do make mistakes, we also have bad days, and we do misunderstand spoken words. (I know you are all perfect and this never happens to you right?) Have a little patience for your fellow man.
We Are Human!
I know this may come as a shock to most of you (though I'm not sure why), but we are only human.
This means that we are not drive-thru coffee dispensing machines. When we make small talk, it would be nice if you'd answer instead of ignoring us.
We are not contortionists, or related to Mr. Fantastic. When you drive through, pull all the way up to the window, and pull close. Hundreds of other people manage just fine everyday, I'm not sure why some of you just can't get it. We cannot bend out our window, around your windshield, and through your window to hand you your beverage. Would it be really cool? Yeah. Can we do it? Hell no. We also cannot stretch across the entire lane to hand you your coffee. (This is the Mr. Fantastic angle.) The lane is very wide for very wide vehicles. Your little bitty car does not qualify. We shouldn't have to climb out the window.
Of course, if most of you would actually reach out the window for your drink, it just might help. Sticking just your hand out the window does not qualify. If you are all the way across the lane, and you don't reach your arm out the window, don't glare at us if your drink is almost fumbled in passing. We can only reach so far. We are doing everything we can, it wouldn't hurt you to make an effort.
It also means that we do make mistakes, we also have bad days, and we do misunderstand spoken words. (I know you are all perfect and this never happens to you right?) Have a little patience for your fellow man.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Please Listen
Manifesto Point #2-a:
Please Listen.
This applies to all kinds of things.
First, listen to what we say to you as you walk in/drive up. (We're probably asking how you are, don't just launch into your order.)
For example:
"Hi! How are you today?"
"Large coffee, 4 creams, 3 sugars."
This just makes me laugh. How can you be a large coffee with four creams and three sugars? Or a medium latte with vanilla syrup?
Do you realize how silly you sound?
I suppose it applies the most to reading back your order in the drive-thru.
It amazes me how many people will either just stare at us when we read back the order, or confirm the wrong order because (usually) they are on the phone. We are not saying your order for our health. (I mean, I know people who like to hear themselves speak, but I'm sure your latte order is not their speech of choice, and it's not ours either.) Take two seconds, listen to what we are saying, and tell us if we are right or wrong.
Don't be mean about it, just correct us.
Neither of us is happy when you get the wrong drink. Especially if you take a sip, and then have to come inside to correct it.
It's an easy thing to avoid, just open your ears and listen to the words coming out of our mouths.
Please Listen.
This applies to all kinds of things.
First, listen to what we say to you as you walk in/drive up. (We're probably asking how you are, don't just launch into your order.)
For example:
"Hi! How are you today?"
"Large coffee, 4 creams, 3 sugars."
This just makes me laugh. How can you be a large coffee with four creams and three sugars? Or a medium latte with vanilla syrup?
Do you realize how silly you sound?
I suppose it applies the most to reading back your order in the drive-thru.
It amazes me how many people will either just stare at us when we read back the order, or confirm the wrong order because (usually) they are on the phone. We are not saying your order for our health. (I mean, I know people who like to hear themselves speak, but I'm sure your latte order is not their speech of choice, and it's not ours either.) Take two seconds, listen to what we are saying, and tell us if we are right or wrong.
Don't be mean about it, just correct us.
Neither of us is happy when you get the wrong drink. Especially if you take a sip, and then have to come inside to correct it.
It's an easy thing to avoid, just open your ears and listen to the words coming out of our mouths.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Be Polite!
Manifesto Point #2:
Be Polite!
That may seem like a "duh" statement, but apparently it needs to be said. As does this:
Most of you have forgotten the manners your parents taught you.
Yes, I said it. When did it become acceptable to:
Don't be rude when we ask if you want cream or sugar in your coffee, just say "No, thank you". We can't read your mind, and in reality, we really don't care. We ask to make your coffee perfect for you, not for us.
When we ask how you are, answer us. When we read back your order, at least pretend you are listening. Perhaps most of all, get OFF your cell phone! (All three of these have more in-depth posts to follow.)
Be Polite!
That may seem like a "duh" statement, but apparently it needs to be said. As does this:
Most of you have forgotten the manners your parents taught you.
Yes, I said it. When did it become acceptable to:
- tell a complete stranger to shut up? Better still, when did it become acceptable to YELL it at anyone?
- Answer your cell phone in the middle of a conversation?
- Interrupt a conversation between two other people?
- Etc. Etc.
Don't be rude when we ask if you want cream or sugar in your coffee, just say "No, thank you". We can't read your mind, and in reality, we really don't care. We ask to make your coffee perfect for you, not for us.
When we ask how you are, answer us. When we read back your order, at least pretend you are listening. Perhaps most of all, get OFF your cell phone! (All three of these have more in-depth posts to follow.)
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