Originally posted by Abhishek
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Barista = drinks + dishwashing + moping + vacuuming ??
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That an entry-level barista role in non-peak hours includes all auxiliary tasks required to keep the place in working order should be common sense unless there are dedicated hands/cleaning staff.Originally posted by Hildy View Post
There's nothing wrong with helping out, but I think you have a right for your job to be as described.
I suspect it will be there in his contract.
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I think I'm coming off as a bit negative here guys.
It's not my intention to complain, but to find out if this is the case with all new baristas. After working for 8 weeks, I thought it is an appropriate time to pop this question in the forum and so I did.
I do understand that beginners go through hardships, but sometimes they also get used. And from a business point of view, for many, it makes sense to use any resource available at hand (baristas/chef) vs. hiring housekeeping staff at non-peak hours.
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I'm interested that you consider yourself a barista. If a barista took a part time job in your industry to polish their self taught IT skills and learn a bit more about computers would you be happy with them calling themselves an IT professional?Originally posted by Abhishek View PostI just came back home after a long shift of dishwashing, vacuuming, moping, and making about 20-30 drinks in a cafe where I work as a part time barista apart from my IT day job.
I took part time barista work to polish my coffee skills and learn a bit more about this sweet drug, but I feel that there is not enough coffee making work in the evenings and we (baristas) end up doing just cleaning and housekeeping. Is this a normal practice everywhere?
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Hahahahahhaha! Good question
I think we are jumping the gun here.
I think there is a difference in "calling themselves" and "being qualified". I'm not calling myself barista because I can make a cup of coffee; I call myself barista because I'm qualified with an advanced level certificate. I've worked in apprenticeship for 6 months making over a thousand cups. I think that does qualify me a barista.
To top it off, I grew up in filter coffee household, with coffee plantations in Coorg and Mangalore under my family's name.
And this is my first job in an independent cafe (I've worked at franchisee before), and I felt the responsibilities were different. That's it.
And yes, if a qualified developer joins my IT company, we do call him developer not hobbyist coder.
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Hi Abhi,Originally posted by Abhishek View PostI think there is a difference in "calling themselves" and "being qualified". I'm not calling myself barista because I can make a cup of coffee; I call myself barista because I'm qualified with an advanced level certificate.
All noble, but no certificate can teach you the skills required to become a barista.
A course can certainly give you a start but I can assure you that if you do get work at the right place and can develop your coffee knowledge, your experience and your palate, hindsight will come into play many, many years from now. Perhaps you will then be a barista.
Let's talk about it after your first few hundred thousand fantastic cups.
Enjoy the ride...It's a blast!
ChrisLast edited by TC; 14 January 2014, 08:20 PM.
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Perhaps, but they're both skills that must be practised to be able to produce consistent, quality work in a timely manner and that do allow a substantial level of differentiation between "capable" and "mastery". They're similar enough to illustrate a point.Originally posted by MrJack View PostTo be fair, I think the level of skill required for the two roles is not really comparable...
As and aside, I've seen just as many iriots calling themselves "IT professionals" as "baristas". Usually chuck "security" in the middle right before they whip out Malwarebytes and CCleaner and then find themselves lost and having to call for backup...
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Thanks guys!
I have heaps to learn and need mentors like you.
I just finished my last shift at this Cafe. Now off to look for a weekend job close to my home where I can pump out more coffees and be an experienced barista
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What...on only 6 months and part time at that?Originally posted by Abhishek View Post...be an experienced barista
Not in my cafe you wouldn't be, I'm sorry. When you look at the top of our industry in regards to people who are Baristas, you are no where near that yet with that experience. Go and have a look at the men and women who are setting the standard for making coffee and you might just be ashamed to call yourself a barista. You will learn a lot from them too so seriously, I recommend meeting them and chatting with them. The really good ones are usually more than happy to talk!
The nature of hospitality is not at all like the nature of the IT industry. It is not as black and white, I am afraid.
In hospitality, you will find that you be required to do more than just one specific job. And if that is the case, then be thankful as it will develop skills and interests that you didn't dream of before.
To me, it seems that people in IT don't have to have any decent people skills what so ever.
Of course, you could try to prove me wrong with that comment, Abhishek but it would be like me trying to convince you that you are not a barista yet, I feel...
Keep at it though. Persistence and determination will get you there. And as Chris said...enjoy it!
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I think you've misunderstood my previous message. I meant I'm off to find a weekend job where I can gain more experience. Of course I haven't gained enough experience in 6 months and my part time job.Originally posted by scoota_gal View PostWhat...on only 6 months and part time at that?
Not in my cafe you wouldn't be, I'm sorry. When you look at the top of our industry in regards to people who are Baristas, you are no where near that yet with that experience. Go and have a look at the men and women who are setting the standard for making coffee and you might just be ashamed to call yourself a barista.
And I don't feel ashamed when I call myself a barista. I'm an inexperienced barista - yes! I'm new - yes! But ashamed - no. I take pride in what ever small bit I know about this field and have thirst to learn more.
Also comparison between different professions are not fair in terms of people skills or talent or experience. It's just like sales people saying lawyers don't know how to sell. Well lawyers don't need to.
I'm just a newbie seeking advice. And I'm sure there are hundreds of people in CS who are, or were in different fields and have changed to coffee industry.
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Pretty harsh Scoota_gal.Originally posted by scoota_gal View PostWhat...on only 6 months and part time at that?
Not in my cafe you wouldn't be, I'm sorry. When you look at the top of our industry in regards to people who are Baristas, you are no where near that yet with that experience. Go and have a look at the men and women who are setting the standard for making coffee and you might just be ashamed to call yourself a barista. You will learn a lot from them too so seriously, I recommend meeting them and chatting with them. The really good ones are usually more than happy to talk!
The nature of hospitality is not at all like the nature of the IT industry. It is not as black and white, I am afraid.
In hospitality, you will find that you be required to do more than just one specific job. And if that is the case, then be thankful as it will develop skills and interests that you didn't dream of before.
To me, it seems that people in IT don't have to have any decent people skills what so ever.
Of course, you could try to prove me wrong with that comment, Abhishek but it would be like me trying to convince you that you are not a barista yet, I feel...
Keep at it though. Persistence and determination will get you there. And as Chris said...enjoy it!
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Now Scoots... we're not ALL devoid of people skills.Originally posted by scoota_gal View PostTo me, it seems that people in IT don't have to have any decent people skills what so ever.
In fact, I know one guy who is an IT professional who took on an online coffee business on the side a few years back, and he has some pretty fine people skills.
Also, the site seems to be doing OK :-)
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Is 'Barista' a position/role or a protected professional title with training/experience requirements? I'd have thought it was the former, in which case the argument of experience (and skill level) would seem somewhat irrelevant to who is or should be entitled to use the title.
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