Journal of a Coffee Shop Observer

I have worked at the Knight Library coffee shop, Verso, for around 2.5 years. I have seen tears shed, giggles shared and screams of frustration within that cafe. I have had regulars who still say hi when I see them out and about — I still remember their orders too. Throughout this week, I journalled about my observations each day in order to see what people are up to and how students are  really doing during week 5. 

MONDAY: 

I arrived at work at 7:30 to open the cafe. We officially open at 8, which is when we get our usuals. Most are employees at the library and get the same order every time. A drip coffee for one, an everything bagel with cream cheese for another, and a 16oz cold brew. People come in and out of the cafe until it hits around 10 a.m.,when we get our rush as people come to do homework. 

One guy always gets a hot chocolate. Every day. It’s orders like that where I question why one doesn’t make it themselves at home, but if it gives us business, I can’t be upset.

One of our usuals calls me “boss” or “darling” and always orders a mocha with whipped cream. Unfortunately for him, I broke our whipped cream canister, so he had to go without it today. He said he forgave me, thank goodness. He has advocated for us to get AC in this cafe for over a year, and I don’t know if it was him or a miracle, but this year we finally did. He is a sports fanatic and could go on for hours about women’s sports being better than men’s or the most recent football game. Some customers like to talk (a lot), but if they need someone to talk to, I’m always happy to chat. I made bagels for about an hour today. A lot of people got bagels with cream cheese and pickled onions. I, personally, am not a pickled onion fan, especially at 9am in the morning, but who am I to judge? 

One of our regulars who always orders a skinny latte came in today. She had braids in her hair, which was a switch up! Last week she helped us think of what to call our Halloween specials. We went with her idea, “Boo-verages.” 

TUESDAY:

I opened again today; However, I was moved to Hedco, the education building. I have only worked here twice before and had never opened. The people here were much different than those who indulge in Verso. For one, many students came right at eight o’clock, whereas at Verso it’s mainly professors. In the two hours I was there, I noticed more students ordered specials, as there was more variety and a LOT of hot chocolates. 

One guy even ordered an “iced hot chocolate,” which I fear is just chocolate milk. 

WEDNESDAY:

I asked our skinny latte regular today if she works at the library. She explained that she is in their communications department and works on the Knight Library’s social media and website. She has done this for the past 2 years, which makes sense, since I have seen her since I was a Sophomore working at the cafe. She told me she used to work at the College of Design and has worked at The University of Oregon for the past ten years. She stood and talked to me about my major and what I plan on doing to which I sheepishly stated, “I have no idea what I am doing after college.”  She said that the library hires 200 students each year and that they have a communications job that they hire two students for. s You never know, maybe I will never leave this library.

A woman comes in every other day with a short gray bob and always orders a wet cappuccino. A wet cappuccino has more milk than foam, whereas a dry cappuccino has more foam than milk. She is very particular about her coffee, and new hires are usually scared of her. Today, she came in and ordered a hot chocolate. I expressed that she switched it up today, as I have never seen her order anything besides a cappuccino. She told me that it had been a bad day (it was 10 a.m.) and that she really just needed some chocolate. I almost cried. Us women sometimes just need a little chocolate pick-me-up. I told her that I hoped her day improved and we made her hot chocolate extra pretty. 

THURSDAY:

Today was boring. Not a lot of people came in today, and if they did, they were a bunch of students I had never seen before, there to pick up an energy drink before their midterm. Our usual Americanos came in, as well as our usual drips, but other than that I didn’t see anyone extraordinary. It was a slow morning of listening to Frank Ocean and Kid Cudi while smearing cream cheese on toasted bagels and brewing tea. 

No one was talking in the seating area. Headphones were on, laptops were open, and stressed faces were everywhere. We had one person come in wearing cat ears for Halloween and one person come in with a pumpkin sweater, but other than that it felt like a normal day, not a holiday. Granted, I didn’t dress up either. I threw on sweats and a crewneck (which someone said they liked) and called it good on this cold, rainy Halloween. 

FRIDAY: 

The day after Halloween I did not open; In fact, I only work on Friday’s from 1-4pm. Usually by this point, all of my morning regulars have already come in. Today the crowd was small. It was extremely quiet and we ended up deep cleaning the cafe. We wrapped up the uneaten pastries and sent them to Food For Lane County. I wish there was more excitement that I could share, but after midterms, Halloween, and many students not having class on Fridays, it made sense that everyone was rotting in bed all day. 

Some days, it feels like the movie Groundhog Day, where I do the same thing each week. I could also describe it like playing the “Papa” games from Cool Math Games. Make a drink fast, don’t get the order wrong, and be pleasant. The week of midterms is always a little different and I love seeing new faces, but the regulars are what makes the place, and they always smile when I ring their drink up without them even telling me what they are ordering. It’s the little things.