Barista Venting

[scoota_gal]

Re: Barista Venting

I am a barista who is more than happy to make a babycino, as I feel it is a great way to introduce the young to the cafe thing and eventually drinking great coffee.

However, as a barista, I suck at making babycinos because my milk is often smooth and silky...not frothy and fluffy! ;D

[Zaneus]

Re: Barista Venting

making babycinos are easy though! just ignore everything youve been taught ;D

[whitie8000@hotmail]

Re: Barista Venting

Just discovered this thread.

Soo many stories....Lets start with this one.

Took out 3 Coffees to an elderly couple and their daughter. As I was walking off the Gentleman asked me if I had any salt, in which I replied yes, we sell Murray Salt Flakes and naturally flavoured rock salt. He replied, I just want normal table salt, I replied, we only have the rock salt in the grinder that we give to customers for their meal, he demanded that he wanted it, which I thought was strange because he didnt order food, So being the nice person I am, I went and grabbed him his salt, before I had a chance to even put it on the table, he grabbed it off me and started griding it into his coffee, something different I guess which I still need to try.......one day........maybe

[WantRancilio10]

Re: Barista Venting

Im sure it was quality time with his daughter and he was returned to the institution at the end of the day

[Sketchy]

Re: Barista Venting

Its an old fashioned thing. We had a few older customers that put salt into long blacks. Tried it once and it was ok. The salt takes the edge of the bitterness. Now I pull better shots so no bitterness hence no more salt in coffee.
LE

[scoota_gal]

Re: Barista Venting

I was catering at a fundraiser last weekend. I had set myself up so that customers would come to my left side and had blocked the right side access with my esky. I had set up on a verandah of the club building we were at.

On the right side of my machine was my digital thermometer, cash tin and a few things like a small box to kind of "hide" the cash tin from people. The tin was sitting pretty close to the coffee machine and just behind my digital thermometer. Certainly not in obvious view of anyone.

As Im left handed, I find it easier to work this way and is a bit more natural for me.

However a few insisted on coming up to my right but I just said to come round the other side as it would make serving them easier for me. A few of the customers who were already on my left side would actually chime in and tell the potentials that they were on the wrong side! (with no prompting from me!)

One customer came up to my right and as it was only one at that time, I just served him without any fuss.

However, I did burr up when he was trying to pay me and said as he moved towards my "protected" cash tin...

"Do I just help myself!?"


If I was Dennis, I would probably have had some really very clever answer...

Instead, I am just me and I said..."No, sorry, my cash is not self service!" and took his money and handed back his change.

Can someone enlighten me on where on this great pale blue planet do people help themselves to the cash register!? Cause I sure as heck dont know where you do that!  : >

[flynnaus]

Re: Barista Venting

Instead, I am just me and I said..."No, sorry, my cash is not self service!" and took his money and handed back his change.

Well he did ask but youre right, some take it for granted. I would only help myself if invited to.

[kbrookes]

Re: Barista Venting

Its an old fashioned thing. We had a few older customers that put salt into long blacks. Tried it once and it was ok. The salt takes the edge of the bitterness. Now I pull better shots so no bitterness hence no more salt in coffee.
LE

Yep. I learned about this from a WWII vet. Ive used it ever since on flights and other situations where the coffee is particularly bad.

[Forte]

Re: Barista Venting

Well..... its been a while since ive had an order for a quarter strength decaf latte and my sentiments toward the customer who orders this today have not changed in the slightest......... as a thought cloud pops up above my head saying "why dont you gently GFY" :-X

[LaughingAtFate]

Re: Barista Venting

Well..... its been a while since ive had an order for a quarter strength decaf latte and my sentiments toward the customer who orders this today have not changed in the slightest......... as a thought cloud pops up above my head saying "why dont you gently GFY"  :-X

Id be almost tempted to pull a shot of hot water, froth milk on top and serve it to the customer.

sorta like a babychino for adults who cant handle caffine

[sidewayss]

Re: Barista Venting

Had another request for a decaf espresso. Not one, but two from the same table.
Refused point blank.
They asked why, i said politely its an insult to the one making the coffee, i can make any other forms of decaf they desire, as long as its not a short macchiato or espresso.

To my fellow WA snobs, look for the next issue of Menu Magazine coming soon at the news stand and you will read about me saying i love coffee, but if anyone asks for a decaf espresso, i will refuse to make it, no matter who they are and theyre paying $130 a head for a culinary adventure in a top 5 fine dining establishment.

Gary at G

[Sketchy]

Re: Barista Venting

If you have decaf there why not make the decaf espresso and make the Customer happy. As long as I dont have to eat or drink what some customers want, I will make it for them.

LE

[Randy_G.]

Re: Barista Venting

If you have decaf there why not make the decaf espresso and make the Customer happy....

..or find a supplier that can sell you a better quality decaf.

[sidewayss]

Re: Barista Venting

To me anyway, the espresso is the heart of the coffee.
It should be enjoyed in its original form.

Go to Italy, the origin of espresso, order a decaf espresso, and you will get a frown, and be refused by the barista there, not the polite careful explanation i offer for my client.

Long blacks, whites, lattes, caps, soy, no problems. Just not decaf espressos.

We grind to order whole beans from my secondary grinder which has been donated to the restaurant, and the beans are bought myself from a local roastery, so the quality is fine.

Had a funny one previous to that occasion where a client wanted a flat white. Her exact words. Gave her a flat white with sugar on the side.
She looked at me as if i did something ridiculous, and said to me she wanted a white wine, not sparkling!

Yes maam. :

[Vinitasse]

Re: Barista Venting

To me anyway, the espresso is the heart of the coffee.It should be enjoyed in its original form.

If you feel that strongly about it why stock decaf at all? In my experience most people who drink decaf do so because they love coffee but cannot handle the caffeine on a physiological level so why rain on their parade???? They love coffee and would like to join their friends in the ritual and pleasure of a decent espresso. If the roaster you buy your decaf from is doing his job right, your decaf loving guests should be able to enjoy an espresso along with everyone else. And... this isnt Italy. Just my two cents worth.

Bruce