12.30.06
Three to Tango
Working in a team for the TransTasman competition, I am reminded of a phenomenon uniqe to the environment of a barista team - the barista language.
Inevitably, during the course of working closely together, depending on each other for a smooth workflow while maintaining the veneer of professionalism, language evolves within barista colonies. Acutely attuned members of some colonies even reach the wordless, signless, heights of telepathic cooperation.
The following are some experienced and observed situations and their translations:
Barista rushes to the kitchen
“Quick, hide! It’s the very-weak-dry-foam-only-cappuccino-with-choc-sauce-lattice-topping woman again!”
Barista sighs at milk jug
“Poor cows, not happy.”
Barista rushes to grab a group handle
“Goody! It’s the doppio ristretto piccolo coffeegeek again.”
Barista A (shooter) hands over the cappuccino cup to Barista B (steamer). Barista B smiles.
“Great shot, dude.”
Barista stares unusually long and hard at an order docket
“WTF…decaf chai?!”