My favorite time of day is first thing in the morning when I venture out for coffee.
Of course it could go right downhill after that, but between 5 and 5:30, the world’s my oyster, or at least a Tall Blonde Roast in a Grande cup (I like lots of milk).
I’m happily surrounded by Starbucks, 3 within walking distance of my house, but every once in a while, someone’s asleep at the switch, well in this case, the train.
Now please don’t think I’m not sympathetic to anyone rising at 3 to open a store at 5 for a bunch of neurotic insomniacs…but…rudeness is another matter entirely. 
So I’m at the door and it’s 5:05. Okay, I’m not unreasonable. I can see the little blonde barista with the name, Jose, tattooed across her neck who is on her phone. I wait another full 5 minutes, which when you’re chomping at the bit caffeine-less, feels like 50, before gently knocking on the window. She ignores me as she’s chatting up a storm, chairs still stacked up on tables, boxes of Twice-Baked Pretzel Sticks and Buck Wild Snack Mix strewed across the floor.
This happened last week with another crew who opened despite the disarray, and I helped put the chairs down. Hey, anything for a cuppa Joe, which brings me to Joe the window washer who is now next to me cursing in Spanish since she’s ignoring him too, with a bucket he could easily knock her over the head with.
15 minutes have gone by, and not even a glance or nod or a shred of remorse for being SO FUCKING LATE. Connecticut was not happy, but that didn’t come close to how pissed the South Bronx was. Joe started banging on the window with his squeegee calling her names.
“You’re gonna break the window,” I said, “take it easy.” Finally, another worker showed up so she comes to let her in, along with Joe, who is still screaming while I wait outside.
“Hey, when are you opening?” I say, looking at my watch realizing, it’s now 5:30 and the one on my corner should be open, so I calm myself, almost hating to leave since the fight she and Joe were having was like sitting ringside.
All day it bothered me, being ignored that way…a big old wound of mine that gets pierced quickly. At one point I was going to march back to complain to the manager, but then thought, Susannah, she’s a kid working for a modest wage getting up in the middle of the night, not from the polite prairies of Connecticut either.
Get over it. Oh well…
all in a day, or at least, first thing in the morning.
SB
I suspect much of your frustration is driven by the knowledge that Jose hasn’t learnt anything, and that a repeat performance is more than likely. My point is that your compassion is not well placed. Your decision not to report her is in no-one’s best interest: not yours, not Starbuck’s, not Starbuck’s other customers, and probably not Jose’s either.
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That’s one way of looking at it, however, there’s an expression I’m fond of…how important is it? To keep it alive meant robbing me of my peace. Would I rather be right or happy. Do you see my point Mick?
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Absolutely. It’s your choice. And “right or happy” suggests that you’re wrong if you choose happy, which is not the case. But if she locks you out and ignores you again next week………….
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I’ve been going to the 5 amer. I go there weekends since she’s not on. It’s my favorite one because of their easy chair, and being early I usually get it. Also, there’s a chance of seeing Gino the Rottweiler. 🙂
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Our Starbucks has business cards with the manager’s name and email address along with a sign encouraging feedback. I would have sent feedback because I agree with Mick. It isn’t in anyone’s best interest to open a half hour late. Even if you have personal issues you need to pull it together when you go to work. Of course I’m not from Connecticut. It was also a disservice to the window washer.
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You’re obviously tougher than me Kate, also it’s New York where managers don’t always care.
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The thing is…if she has a job that requires her work at 5am, she should adjust her internal time clock accordingly…but with those kind of hours, she may work two jobs or go to school. You are just too nice and I hope she realizes that next time you are in with a free cuppa joe…;) ~Elle
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That will never happen. Do the math. She won’t even come to the door. She’s young and self-absorbed. What can I say? It’s not in me to go hunting for her even though, it would serve her right.
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True!
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I’m not a fighter and I certainly don’t feel it’s my job to tear someones head off over being an asshole. That’s how assholes multiply! My co-worker loves to make sure whoever it may be is notified of their poor behavior and I just don’t get it. My feeling is these people are well aware of their behavior, for god sakes they live with themselves every day.
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Agreed. Pray for them, as odd as that may sound coming from me. I’ve learned, something has to be really worth it to steal your peace.
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Susannah, I don’t know what it is with so many ‘kids’ today. I’m a substitute teacher and witness the tuned out phenomenon on a daily basis. Just this past Thursday I gave instructions to a small high school art class. I noticed one girl doing nothing. When I asked if she understood the directions, she replied, “Oh, I wasn’t listening. I never pay attention when teachers are talking.” And she said it so sweetly.
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OMG…DID YOU SMACK HER? I know, but, what an arrogant thing to say. I’d tell her parents on the little shit with no art to speak of.
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