January 08, 2008
Busy Day?
This morning I stood in line at Starbucks, reading my Atlantic and waiting to order my customary grande hot chocolate with no whipped cream. My friend Ben recently explained that brain scientists believe happiness is generated by the successful pursuit of a goal, such that instant gratification — through video games, for example, or pornography — short-circuits the process, providing an initial boost of happy chemicals but leading quickly to a let-down, which perhaps explains the gloomy faces on all the overindulged teens at the local mall. I don't read science, because I have Ben for a friend. He loves science, and reads it, and then we meet at Starbucks and he tells me about it.
So I stood in line, enjoying both the instant gratification of holding and gingerly turning the pages of my beloved Atlantic, while working toward the happy goal of my hot chocolate. It was the perfect blend of immediate and future happiness that enables me to function. Writing is usually like that; there is the work of crafting lovely sentences, but also the immediate thrill of knowing that I am good at it, and that something holy may come from my unholy hands, and that it was what I was created to do.
The Starbucks guy was asking each customer if we have a busy day ahead of us. I like this Starbucks guy, because he is nice, and because once he gave me a free hot chocolate. I think if more people gave me hot chocolate, I would like more people. I like the Starbucks people in general, because they are refreshingly cheery. Someone at Starbucks is very serious about screening out the grouchy, slack-jawed doofuses one frequently finds staffing other such establishments. This is what hiring comes down to, in the 21st century: don't hire doofuses. It's harder than you think.
The cute, plaid-skirted Catholic schoolgirl at the front of the line apparently has a big day of doing whatever it is that Catholic schoolgirls do; I couldn't make out what she was saying, but she said it with exuberance. The business guy in front of me got to the front, and announced that he just wanted coffee, black, he didn't care what kind, and for them to leave room in the top of the cup. The Starbucks guy asked him if he had a busy day ahead of him. "Always," he said, gruffly, followed by something about being in his own business, or being a captain of industry, or being some kind of implement that one might purchase from Home Depot — I couldn't quite make it out, but I'm sure it supported the impression he wanted to create for all of us, which is that he is a Very Important And Busy Man who can't be troubled with coffee choices and Starbucks banter.
He took his cup without saying thank you, and strode out of the store, the long tails of his overcoat trailing behind him. He was the star of a movie playing in his own head, as I suppose we all are from time to time.
The Starbucks guy, somewhat chastened, took my money, but didn't ask me if I had a busy day. So I volunteered it. "In case you're wondering, I don't have a busy day. I'm going to shut my office door, drink my hot chocolate, and read." He smiled. It's not a bad day, I think, if you can restore the air when someone sucks it out of the room. And I think we all know I'm full of hot air.
Posted by Woodlief on January 08, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Yesterday, Starbucks announced new leadership, the planned closing of underperforming stores, and an attempt to "improve the customer experience."
The man in full who ordered the black coffee is probably angry that he hasn't figured out a way to leverage an ounce of coffee grounds into a $2.25 cup of customer experience, improved or otherwise.
Posted by: Ken at January 8, 2008 9:31 AM
Ah, but Tony, that hot air occasionally brings with it the breath of God.
It's probably the result of all the hot chocolate!
Posted by: diane at January 8, 2008 9:48 AM
A great deal of what makes a man successful and admired is what he leaves in his wake - chaos and misery or joy and happiness. I like to apply for the position responsible for the second set.
Posted by: mdmhvonpa at January 8, 2008 11:38 AM
Tony,
Love reading you...love starbucks....love coffee...my friend is in a managing position...definately a happy person, but stressful job, but you know he is not the type to complain and he shares coffee with me...a shame a non-coffee drinking person works at starbucks!
Angela
Posted by: angela at January 8, 2008 12:51 PM
I am not always the most friendly person in public. I do not mean that I am gruff or rude but rather I am mostly withdrawn and don't speak a lot. I have been led to say "God bless you" or something to a person who is ringing up a purchase or bringing our food to a table and have found that the resulting conversation or reaction is usually well worth the extra effort. The power our words have never cease to amaze me especially the words most of us would consider small.
Posted by: flesh99 at January 8, 2008 1:29 PM
Ah hot chocolate, the only thing that Starbucks doesn't mess up.
Posted by: Scott at January 8, 2008 1:29 PM
Today, the guy who took my money in Starbucks repeated my order to the barista, and she automatically said it aloud--in French. How did she know I cared? I tossed a brief French response her way, and then we had a pleasant conversation en francais until I soon reached the level of my incompetence. "I'm lost..." I admitted. She then translated her final French phrase to mean, "Do you want a lot of foam?"
I'm telling you, that's a LOT of fun for the buck in Kansas City! Starbucks employees try VERY hard, IMO, and deserve some kindness in return.
Posted by: Katy McKenna at January 8, 2008 3:17 PM
There's nothing like looking forward to my a.m. peppermint mocha from my local Starbucks. I wandered in there this morning on my was to a very busy day at work. I was greeted with a smile and they started making my drink before I said a word. Loved it. The baristas are so nice and they think my little girl looks like a doll, how can I not appreciate them?
Posted by: Jennifer Johnson at January 8, 2008 8:52 PM
I really enjoyed this post. I now know what the guy in the line at Starbucks is thinking. Very good Tony. Thanks.
Posted by: Jack Ensor at January 9, 2008 9:29 AM
Actually, the traditional Starbucks hot chocolate can, in fact, be improved on. Next time, order a grande "five pump" hot chocolate. You get two extra pumps of mocha-chocolate happiness...free!
Posted by: stephanie at January 9, 2008 9:35 AM
While I don't often have the chance to stop into Starbucks, it is my pastor husband's second office. "His" Starbucks is in a busy, kind of rough intersection in our city and a regular part of the employees' duties there is handling the homeless and often boisterous people who frequent the corner. My husband is so impressed with the way that the Starbucks workers treat these non-paying customers with firmness (they do have to run a business) and dignity at the same time. Oh, and they also start making my husband's drink as soon as he walks in the door.
Funny how a Starbucks post generates so many comments!
Posted by: Kit at January 9, 2008 4:10 PM
I can see the headline now: Hot Chocolate found to cure all ills!
At least that's what I believe. And, Starbucks makes a mighty fine cup of it. I am hooked and I am glad there are other devotees! Although it does make a permanent mess of any shirt it is spilled upon!
Posted by: chronicler at January 10, 2008 10:05 PM
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