It’s not just coffee, it’s community

Coffee has a unique way of bringing people together.

We use it as an excuse to get to know someone better. We share it with people we haven’t seen in a while. We guzzle it to stay alert during a long day so we can connect with our loved ones.

But this connection doesn’t end with our close, inner circle—it extends beyond our loved ones into the world in a larger sense as well. Every time we order a coffee, there’s a barista on the other end of the transaction, trying to help us find something to enjoy and making our cappuccino or latte with the utmost care. And those baristas often hear more than you think.

I once heard someone call baristas the “bartenders of the coffee world,” and I’ve grown to believe that this is truly the case.

In my career as a barista in a small town, I’ve listened to some of the most amazing, heartbreaking, and endearing stories in the few moments I spend at the window with customers.

As a barista, I’ve had unlikely opportunities to comfort people who were dealing with loss and sadness. I’ve been able to celebrate happy moments and milestones, like birthdays and pregnancies! I’ve been able to help people find their new favorite coffee order that brings a little ray of sunshine to their day. I’ve swapped music recommendations with customers and bonded over some small things we have in common. I go out of my way to memorize the names and favorite orders of my “regulars” who come through repeatedly because everyone likes to be remembered and noticed. But I think my favorite thing about being a barista is that I sometimes get to be the very first smile people see in the morning—and that means something.

We often forget in this busy society of ours that the world runs on hundreds of tiny interactions with people every single day. Whether you believe it or not, all of those little interactions—those smiles, kind words, and well-wishing—all make a difference in someone’s day. When you begin to make a difference in those around you, it affects your community as a whole.

So whether you’re an avid coffee drinker or a barista, remember that it isn’t just coffee; it’s a community.