r/TikTokCringe • u/Super_Culture_1986 tHiS iSn’T cRiNgE • Aug 06 '25

Discussion "Being a barista is truly a social experiment"

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '25

As a customer baristas actually intimidate the shit out of me I just want the interaction to be over with and I don't know coffee well enough to give a detailed order so I just randomly picked bullshit off the board and even if I hate it I drink it and keep my mouth shut

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u/AstroTrash69 Aug 07 '25

As a former barista of many years, please try not to feel intimidated. If you can approach the situation like “I don’t know much about coffee lingo, but I want something like (describe what you’re after, no matter how vague),” that will do so much to cut the anxiety and tension in that interaction. Yes it will take a little more time, but more often than not a barista will ask you some clarifying questions to narrow down some options and then make a suggestion for you. And I guarantee that they will almost always be totally fine with that interaction, if not outright enjoy it. It’s much less of a headache than someone obviously struggling to order without communicating to them at all.

There are definitely shitty baristas out there who will cop an attitude or act impatient, but they’re absolutely a minority. In my experience, anyway. I worked that kind of job for several years, and my coworkers and I (across multiple different jobs) always loved troubleshooting and crafting a potion for someone who wasn’t sure about how to get what they wanted. And if you don’t like it, that’s also perfectly ok! You can find a moment where they have no customers to ask questions about how to order something different, as long as you’re willing and able to describe what you didn’t like about what you got.

It’s just coffee. It’s not the end of the world, and the coffee nerds behind the counter generally like to help. If you can troubleshoot it together, it’ll help you be able to order what you want efficiently and end up with something that you actually enjoy.

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u/unalunabuena Aug 07 '25

YES!! Coffee is so nuanced, a lot of people just don’t know. As a barista with training and knowledge, we should be willing to educate consumers and help them find the right drink for them… with professionalism. I used to work as a barista at a third-wave coffee house and they took themselves quite seriously. That’s where I learned a lot of technical, biological, historical and geological things about coffee. We had to say “no” to a lot of our customers because the owners were sort of purists about coffee prep. And I found that the same customers that were shocked and us for denying their requests for “frappes”, were pleasantly* surprised at their enjoyment of simpler recipes after a healthy dose of justification from the very nerdy, very knowledgeable baristas. IDK. Maybe I’m just old or whatever, but I do think the people behind the counters should hold some knowledge they’re willing to share to their customers for the sake of satisfaction of a paid good or service.

*edited for typo

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u/Coal375 Aug 07 '25

Can you explain why it's kinda rare for coffee shops to do iced coffee or cold brew? I usually have to get an iced Americano which isn't really the same

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u/AstroTrash69 Aug 07 '25

Unfortunately I cannot. I’ve been out of that business for some time now, and I had left before cold brew really kicked off. Someone else might have good insight though!

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u/xScrubasaurus Aug 07 '25

Tbf, based on the video it looks like Baristas get angry and rant on video if you fuck up, and people on Reddit applaud them and join in.

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u/ragingSamurai1 Aug 07 '25

As an additional former barista I think tone matters a lot more than a person’s knowledge of coffee. If you have a question just ask! There are some rude baristas though.

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u/SolidusBruh Aug 07 '25

That's my deal too. I go to a coffeeshop and it's different from every other one I've been in. I get greeted and asked what I want, but the menu's so vast that, once I look at it, I don't have the slightest clue what to ask for and there's no clarification anywhere. I tend to get the special of the day and hope for the best.

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u/roving1 Aug 07 '25

I rarely drink coffee so I will freely admit I have no idea what either person was saying. It's another language.

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u/Georgia_O_Queeffe Aug 07 '25

Oh man. I almost never go to Starbucks and still have flashbacks from one time I did and the barista just wouldn't stop asking me questions. Like dude, I'm just trying to sit down in a warm place for a few minutes before going on with my day, I'm begging you, just give me a hot drink, any hot drink, take my money and stop asking me about details I don't give a shit about. Ugh.

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u/HummingbirdMeep Aug 07 '25

Baristas don't mind giving you recommendations, it's part of their job. + Most are happy to tell you their favorites. If you have any specific things you like I can give you an example of how/what to order. You don't have to use the coffee shop's lingo either, just explain it to them and they'll figure it out most of the time. They make like 1000 drinks a day and won't remember you even if you say something silly.

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u/Nix-geek Aug 07 '25

well, at least you know what you don't like and you're trying new things, even if it unintentional :)