Random Thoughts Of A Traveling Barista
by Amy Bauer

February 26, 2012
- I should start with a post about Starbucks. A little taste of what it is like on the other side of the counter. Behind the scenes dirt. Not the dirty dirt though, more of the interesting, helpful soil.

I’ve worked for the company for almost three years now. At probably close to a dozen different stores, if not more. I lost track. Every store is completely different, although the employees are always the same people with different names. Starbucks definitely goes out of its way to hire a certain kind of person. If you’ve ever been to a store you know what I am talking about. The free-spirited, outgoing, hyper (because we all are way over-caffeinated), unashamed, unreserved unique barista. Eager to talk about anything and get to know our customers. That is what Starbucks is known for. I guess that explains why they hire the certain kind of persons they do. Because without us, they would be just another coffee shop.

Although I’ve had the thought more than once that we all barista are going to be replaced by robots. The new robotic barista. Our job is very repetitive and could easily be done by a robot. Maybe even faster and better, without flaw. All it is, is mathematics with the same repetitious movements. To the point that a lot of us end up with carpal tunnel. Maybe even the robots will be able to talk back. Maybe tell interesting facts. That would be the biggest mistake Starbucks could ever make though. Replacing its heart with a fake one, with imposters.

I have had the greatest connections with regular customers. And also my coworkers. Some of the best friends I have ever had, since we all are so alike. Of course we will get along great. I have met some regulars who are famous. Famous athletes, writers, actors, musicians, producers. Customers who want to help with my writing and music. Just from being their barista, turned into something way more. Customers who ended up changing my life, and me changing theirs. Ones who came to me when I was in-need of advice. In need of a home. I happened to be Skyping at my store with a friend in England, saying I was living out of my car. Looking for a place to live. When some regulars over heard me. A father and daughter that come in every afternoon. Only knowing me as their barista. They took me in. Free of rent. They turned my life around. Encouraging me to write every day and follow my passion.

So here I am in California working at a little cafe store in Sebastopol, CA. I traveled here from Florida. Then to Ohio. Working at Starbuck stores along the way. With each store, leaving with many great new connections and memories. It is hard leaving them behind, but I always stay in contact and will always be back.






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