The five customer stereotypes every barista knows

The secret is out. As much as we are taught in life that judging is bad, cafe employees are some of the biggest offenders. There are some groups of customers that share the same characteristics (good or bad) that we recognise from a mile away, and opinions are shaped accordingly.

 

Here’s five of the common coffee-loving cafe stereotypes:

1. The barista’s favourite

Typical order: Large double shot caramel latte with extra caramel

These are the customers who are always smiling and bursting with enthusiasm and energy, who genuinely ask “How are you?” and will tell stories about their weekend. They know the barista’s name, will remember where the barista plans to travel next and ask how the planning is going.

2. The busy businessman

Typical order: Large flat white, extra hot

If the barista approaches the customer and says “Hey, how are you?”, these customers respond with their coffee order. They’re in a rush to get somewhere and don’t have time for chit chat. They’re most likely to be the ones asking for their coffee to be pushed forward in the line of orders. Occasionally, when there is time before the next meeting, they will relax and make friendly small talk about the weather or laugh at a joke.

3.  The frazzled mother

Typical order: Medium skim cap, 1 sweetener

This group are not necessarily all mothers, but regardless, they are generally too stressed and tense to smile or say hello. They’re the customers distracted by their kids (or their phone) while placing an order, making it a prolonged process. They’re still lovely people, and can be very good to talk to when they aren’t thinking about other things.

 4. The “almond milk and sugar-free vanilla” hipster

Typical order: Regular almond milk chai latte with half a shot of sugar-free vanilla and 3/4 of a teaspoon of raw sugar at exactly 50 degrees celcius

Originality is great, but as a customer group, the alternate coffee drinkers have a tendency to be a little condescending if they are displeased or too many questions are asked. It can be daunting telling members of this group the brand of rice milk we stock in case it isn’t the best one or the ONLY one they drink.

 5. The one who is scared of people

Typical order: Small mocha

This group is never mean or rude, but they are the quiet, reserved customers who don’t give eye-contact, speak quietly or stand too far back from the counter. They aren’t problematic, but they don’t give the opportunity for a relationship to develop with the barista.

Which stereotype are you? Take the quiz here! http://www.onlineassessmenttool.com/which-customer-stereotype-are-you/assessment-11929