Last night, I went to a house-concert in Inman Square. What’s even more great about THAT was that I was invited by a customer who comes into the cafe regularly, and the music was awesome!
Check out David Wax Museum. They are country-sounding/Mexican inspired rock music. I had some random connections with the lead singer (we know some of the same people, including one of my best friends/ex-coworker, Kim, and my old neighbor Lukas, who Jake helped move out), and he was so nice and approachable. I hope this band makes it big, because they are all just really sweet people.
What I’ve noticed about working in a cafe is how many people I end up wanting to know and end up knowing “for real” — like REAL friends. I’ve also gained an internship through customers (Harvard Review), mentorish-friends (Christina, the poet who runs the Woodberry Poetry Room at Harvard)— I even know entire families where I know the name of every child, sister, brother, I know about husbands favorite cakes, grandmother’s secret recipes, babies who cry all night, food allergies. I meet a bunch of cool down-to-earth funny people who I enjoy conversing with.
It’s almost like an 8-hour social explosion, while making drinks, bagging treats, and boxing pies. I don’t really consider my job work, until I feel my body hurt. I consider this job more of a meditation practice, trying to stay present (doesn’t always work!), and a great way to meet people, learn things, and enjoy human-to-human interaction. What a beautiful thing it is, that we communicate the way we do. Some people just say “Thank you” with their eyes, or even an endearing nod is lovely. I can tell when someone is having a terrible day and that visiting the cafe made it at least a teeny bit better. The connections we all have with each other, not what we have in common, but the HUMANNESS, warms me. I think I just like knowing and feeling that we’re all in this together, so let’s get through the day!
But again, I am only talking about the good days and the good things. There are actually lot of people who creep me out, a few people who I refuse to talk to and hide in the kitchen, mean people, picky people, and people who have 0% social skills and yell out “MUFFIN!” meaning “I’d like a blueberry muffin.” There are people who come in and talk about how awesome adderall is, which I think is silly. Or, how about, “YOU DON’T KNOW WHO I AM?” because he is some memoir author. I write poetry, buddy, do you know who I AM? Everyone who comes in here knows ME more than YOU. Jeez, louise.
I can tell you that if you have the habit of penting up anger in your workplace, try working at a place that is more physical. I find that slamming things around that I actually HAVE to slam (espresso tampy-tamps), chopping vegetables, and punching tuna through a strainer so that the water drains faster, feels amazing. It is just like taking a bat to a broken VCR (done it, loved it). What a great, healthy release.
I’ve also made a lot of close friends who work/have worked with me. I REALLY get to know people on this job. Strengths, weaknesses, all of that.
What’s funny about this post is that I had a terrible day.
And now, I just ended my day with a re-evaluation of what I do with my life. And PHEW it feels okay!
