Has a customer asked you a question or say something that was completely out of line? Let us know here. The most common questions and phrases will become an article for my blog.

~Jennifer

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Dawn Pinaud said:
My suggestion is to always KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS. It just never pays to argue or engage in negative talk with customers. One time this guy was so incredibly rude that another customer came to my defense which just made that rude guy look like a bully. The whole line of customers got involved it was fun to watch. I always say to try and take the high road if possible, but I must add that once in awhile a customer will go to far and I just politely ask them to leave the store. It's not always easy that's for sure. Dawn

So true. It's totally wort it when the customers step in.
I will not mention names here but a new customer came to the front counter to ask our pregnant barista for a latte. He then asked her if he could get breast milk with that. Good thing I was not near and damn good thing her husband was out taking a break on the back porch. I'm 99% sure there would have been a blood infused latte. By the way he has never been back.


Joseph Robertson said:
I will not mention names here but a new customer came to the front counter to ask our pregnant barista for a latte. He then asked her if he could get breast milk with that. Good thing I was not near and damn good thing her husband was out taking a break on the back porch. I'm 99% sure there would have been a blood infused latte. By the way he has never been back.

This would make number 1 on my list IMO. That is the most out of line thing I've heard yet.
And we live in a very small little town of 1500 or so. Just weird. Super weird.
Joe


Jennifer Vaaler said:


Joseph Robertson said:
I will not mention names here but a new customer came to the front counter to ask our pregnant barista for a latte. He then asked her if he could get breast milk with that. Good thing I was not near and damn good thing her husband was out taking a break on the back porch. I'm 99% sure there would have been a blood infused latte. By the way he has never been back.

This would make number 1 on my list IMO. That is the most out of line thing I've heard yet.
"Where is your cappuccino machine?" - obvious gas station customer.
This person/customer was from a larger city where you might get away with treating folks that way. Not here in this town. He is marked now. In a small town you get marked and everyone knows who you are. In the big city the pervs' can hide.
Joe


Ashley N Ruby said:
"Where is your cappuccino machine?" - obvious gas station customer.
Which is exactly why I prefer smaller towns.


Ashley N Ruby said:
"Where is your cappuccino machine?" - obvious gas station customer.

Smile, do your best super hero pose, point at yourself and let them know who the cappuccino machine is.
This is great!

Jeremiah Perrine said:
"Can you put more coffee in here, this is not a cappuccino?" - Customer (Bitter elderly lady). "I'm sorry to hear that. We try to serve a traditional cappuccino. What was it you'd prefer?" - me "I worked for Folgers for 30 years. I KNOW what a cappuccino is. Just put more coffee in it."


Brady said:


Ashley N Ruby said:
"Where is your cappuccino machine?" - obvious gas station customer.

Smile, do your best super hero pose, point at yourself and let them know who the cappuccino machine is.

Smile and nod seems to be the answer to most things
..........WHAT IS THAT THING ?...................

So, I opened my own shop about 5 months ago here in Blowing Rock NC....... and let me first say that I love to educate people about coffee...i am a true coffee GEEK!

The best one yet goes as follows......

young guy walks towards counter ( hair full of gel and sunglasses still on) with a small entourage behind him waiting for him to speak to me

Him: so, what kind of drinks can you make?

Me: I can make a variety of traditional italian coffee/espresso drinks and a bunch of other fun stuff....

Him: I! would like a triple shot raspberry mocha chinno......

Me: Im on it... ( he turns to his friends and smiles) then engages me once again before I can begin

Him: Are you sure you know how to make that drink???

Me: ( being the nice guy I am) Well, I can make a drink that will be sure to meet your expectations or we will pour it out and make you another till I get it right...

Him: ( while he is pulling out his I PAD ) WELL! I AM A BARISTA! At StarBUX!!!! one of his friends says "yeah, hes a barista..."

Me: That is great, I love working with coffee. ( I turn on the Super Jolly and begin to throw fresh ground espresso into the portafilter.......

Him: What is that thing?????? refering to the espresso grinder

Me: (dumbfounded....mouth breathing....stunned for a moment.) I stop the grinder to clarify that he is asking about the grinder and he confirms .......... I say," This is an espresso grinder". I thought he was pullin my leg, he was most certainly not!!! I begin to explain the whole process of fresh ground espresso being thrown into the ptf then tamped........and then the extraction process, as his mom walks up and interupts me to inform me that her son is a barista. I smile and think to myself......I Love My Job!!!!!!

This is what happens when you are trained on a super auto machine with no other formal barista training............thanks STRBX!!!
This is absurd! I would NEVER go to someone elses place of work and tell them how to do their job - even if it was another barista in another coffee shop! Honestly, what was he trying to do!?


Jason Campbell said:
..........WHAT IS THAT THING ?...................

So, I opened my own shop about 5 months ago here in Blowing Rock NC....... and let me first say that I love to educate people about coffee...i am a true coffee GEEK!

The best one yet goes as follows......

young guy walks towards counter ( hair full of gel and sunglasses still on) with a small entourage behind him waiting for him to speak to me

Him: so, what kind of drinks can you make?

Me: I can make a variety of traditional italian coffee/espresso drinks and a bunch of other fun stuff....

Him: I! would like a triple shot raspberry mocha chinno......

Me: Im on it... ( he turns to his friends and smiles) then engages me once again before I can begin

Him: Are you sure you know how to make that drink???

Me: ( being the nice guy I am) Well, I can make a drink that will be sure to meet your expectations or we will pour it out and make you another till I get it right...

Him: ( while he is pulling out his I PAD ) WELL! I AM A BARISTA! At StarBUX!!!! one of his friends says "yeah, hes a barista..."

Me: That is great, I love working with coffee. ( I turn on the Super Jolly and begin to throw fresh ground espresso into the portafilter.......

Him: What is that thing?????? refering to the espresso grinder

Me: (dumbfounded....mouth breathing....stunned for a moment.) I stop the grinder to clarify that he is asking about the grinder and he confirms .......... I say," This is an espresso grinder". I thought he was pullin my leg, he was most certainly not!!! I begin to explain the whole process of fresh ground espresso being thrown into the ptf then tamped........and then the extraction process, as his mom walks up and interupts me to inform me that her son is a barista. I smile and think to myself......I Love My Job!!!!!!

This is what happens when you are trained on a super auto machine with no other formal barista training............thanks STRBX!!!

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