Keeping It Light…and Goofy.

Life is funny and I’m so glad to have enough awareness to enjoy it…most of the time.

Just today, I can come up with multiple examples of how perspective can make for fun or distress.  How tricky it is to consciously choose each and every moment!  And in a world of customer interaction, satisfaction and stupefaction you’ve got to decide before it even happens.

So I’d like to give credit to my coworker and belt-badged barrista Joel.  Joel and I had a bit of a bumpy start; we were kind of awkward and the more time we spent together having fun with our job, the more our customers enjoyed us too.  So now that we’re poking fun at each other openly, and looking for a radio station to broadcast our “Jen & Joel behind the Bar in the Morning” show, I think we’re onto something.  We’ve been practicing our “Cocktail” cup throwing moves and other theatrics too.  But it’s not just the production we put on when we work together, we groove in serving customers and they like that. I remind our patrons that Joel is our Store Manager (his self proclaimed title) and he likes to share that I’m “Sweet,  Not Sissy.” (which is on my collaged cup).  We have different styles, that’s for sure.  The best part is that we have respect for our differences and I really appreciate that. Perspectives count and they don’t need to be right or wrong. They just are.

So not only are we having fun, we have launched into Christmas and the store has been transformed. There’s a lot of red and snowflakes and the word “Christmas” all over to remind me it’s coming.  I expected to hear more grumbling than pleasure and it really wasn’t the case.  I’m good with it all since we haven’t shifted to Christmas music…yet. I’m thinking it’s because there are so many more syrup bottles and the drink combinations to go with them that I’m kind of scrambling in the new…and giggling at the ridiculous thought that world thinks they need so much sugar. That, and I don’t know how to work the new slogan in AND include patrons names on cups without making it sound like a marriage proposal.  I’m keeping my holly garter belt handy just in case though (pics to follow.)

My final thought in the duality of perception came to me at the end of the day.  At the end of my shift, I agreed to business brainstorm with a gentleman I regularly serve coffee to.  The coffee regulars were surprised to see me on the customer side.  I said to my pal: “you know, it wasn’t that long ago the customers were surprised to see me on the serving side of the bar. Now, they’re surprised to see me on the customer side.”  He smirked too, remembering way back then.

Oh, how life changes!

I could have felt sad about that but really, I’m happy about it.  The way I see it, it’s nice to be remembered regardless.

Believing in ME; believing in happiness.

JCM

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