Starbucks

A family member we recently visited had been a teacher for 30 years, and retired about five years ago. She decided earlier this year that she would try something completely different: Starbucks barista! And once she was working 21 hours or more each week, she would have medical benefits (the cost of which was taking about half of her retirement check).

Chris has a longer story about the types of people who work there, and the juggling of detailed orders. "Vente drip in a tall cup" threw her off the rythm!

But the best story was on her first day, with ten minutes left in the shift. She said to the leadworker, "I have ten minutes left, what would you like me to do?" The assignment: "Pick up the crafts."

Crafts? We have crafts? Chris was looking at the windows and tables, trying to figure it out.

Nicole, the lead, finally put her hands on her hips and explained, "For heaven's sake, Chris, the crafts for the milk."

Chris (the former language arts teacher) did not say anything when she finally understood: carafes. I would have just said pitcher, but Starbucks has to have their fancy labels.

Chris also soon found out they never schedule 21 hours. She stayed eight weeks.