What a Free Coffee Can Do

I give away too much coffee. For free that is. Fully made lattes, mochas, drip coffee, anything and everything you could find in a cafe. Having been a barista for five years now, I don’t think it’s a habit I’ll be able to drop. I just simply like everything that is encapsulated through the act of giving someone a free coffee that’s all. I want to preface by saying not everything is “on the house” when I’m working, but rather, here and there a coffee may slip by. One of the reasons that I wanted to work at this cafe in the first place was because of the generosity and welcoming nature of the baristas that I have been lucky enough to work with since. Whether it be for someone’s birthday, a graduation or even if a customer was telling us about an accomplishment considered to be miniscule like cleaning out their car, we find that good enough reason to celebrate with a free coffee. There is a high value on the relationship between barista and customer making it synonymous to a friendship. Which is established in almost anyone and everyone that comes in. I don’t even want to consider them customers. All it is, simply, is other people looking to get a coffee that’s all. I see the free coffee as a testament to everyone else’s existence and a way to be understanding of their own experiences. Not only does it bring a welcoming nature I try to carry within myself everyday, but it is a fantastic way to bring some joy into others lives. I believe joy can be found in any and every encounter throughout the day. No one will deny a free coffee nor will that ruin their day. To me it makes so much sense to be giving away more free coffee. It might be a little foolishly optimistic or seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses, but I would rather take that over not giving any free coffee away.

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