Morning Rush of Starbucks

I am currently sitting in Starbucks at 7:30 in the morning, and it’s quite amazing to watch. I have sat in Starbucks before but never during the morning rush, and it is another world. There are seven employees who are constantly moving like a swarm of bees. At least two of them are managers, which I’ve personally only seen one working unless it’s during a shift change. They are all maintaining the drive-thru orders, mobile orders, and in-store orders. Closer to seven it was more in store and drive-thru orders, but as time has gone on there is a lot more of the mobile order pickups.

But the busyness of orders is not what really makes it an amazing sight, but the community between the employees and customers.

Starbucks was originally created to give people a place of comfort outside of their home and workplace. I never thought of Starbucks as that until now. There were people who seemed to be regulars so they were having conversations not only with those they were sitting with but also with the employees as if they were longtime friends. Everyone, well nearly everyone, was smiling and just seemed very happy. It didn’t feel like it was as early in the morning as it was and felt like a home instead of a chain restaurant. As I was observing it felt like I was in this loving bubble full of people I had known for years and the rest of the world didn’t exist.

The employees were doing the extremes to make each customer happy such as bringing out food and an occasional drink to certain customers (which I hadn’t seen them do before). Most of these employees I had seen before, as I could be known as a Starbucks usual (surprise surprise) but they never seemed this happy and welcoming. To be honest, it kind of felt like I was in a cheesy romantic movie, but in a good way.

It was one of those moments that give your hope back to humanity. This world can focus more on the hustle and bustle of getting something done while forgetting that people are human and need relationships and community. Starbucks showed that is most definitely possible to care for others in the midst of that hustle and bustle.

I am one that believes in good work ethic (and has quite a high standard….maybe too high of others to have that work ethic) and getting things does even if that requires you to sacrifice moments for building community. Like everything, balance is key. Starbucks was able to show that balance almost perfectly (I’m a realist and nothing is perfect…except God…but that is a whole different conversation). Watching the amazing, and to me, rare, community that Starbucks created this morning was simply inspiring.

After I left, I was recharged and ready to share that energy and love with those I ran into. It can take one smile or hello to change someone’s day/mood. That doesn’t take much time out of your day to do. You can still keep hustling and bustling while saying a quick hello. I know it can be hard for me to say a simple hi to someone, but I know it changes my mood when someone randomly says hi to me.

I ask you to find someone, maybe someone who is sitting alone and say hi, ask them how their day is going, or just a simple smile and wave. Change someone’s day and spread some love into this world.