Coffee and convos

I've been a "certified" barista for a few weeks now and I have run into a large variety of people. I work the morning shift so we see a lot of regulars coming in for the same thing each day. I've been amazed at the amount of people who get the exact same thing every day - not only does this seem a little boring to me but also expensive (in money and calories).

It's also interesting to me the expectations some folks have for a thing as simple as a cup of coffee or a bagel. There are folks who will leave before they choose to wait in line. Others who expect that we (the staff) will remember exactly what they get each day and have it ready for them. You'd think that we would start to get to know some of these folks fairly well seeing them each day and all. However, you'd be amazed at how many people just look at their phone the whole time they are waiting for their item and how shallow the conversations are when they do happen.

I've really been challenged lately to go deeper with people, no longer just surface level conversations but ones with depth and meaning. This is not a skill that comes naturally for me as it does several people I know but rather it is one that takes practice and many conversations. I'm praying the Lord shows me opportunities to dive in and not only go deeper into others lives, but be willing to open my life up to them as well.

I would have to say that one huge thing I learned/realized this summer is how important it is to first be vulnerable with someone before expecting them to do the same with me. You can't expect the other person to go deep if you're not willing to do so yourself. I think I knew this, I just never connected the dots. Guess the Lord's given me a great opportunity to practice being more vulnerable with people in my life. Though it may sound strange and ridiculous that I want to open up with customers that come to get a cup of coffee each day, the fact of the matter is that some of these people spend a great amount of time each week waiting for their drink of choice. Why not get to know them when I see them so often?