Over the past couple years the coffee shop has become a new
social hub subject to people of all walks of life yearning for a fresh cup of
brewed coffee or a bone dry cappuccino. The studious twenty something, the stay
at home mothers’ weekly book club meeting, the businessman on the go, all
congregate in this small store front known as the coffee shop.
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Throughout my time working at Starbucks, I have witnessed
many people come and go. I have seen friendships begin and relationships end. I
have seen people fall in love and people cry.
As I stand behind my bar and look out into my lobby at the faces of each
of my customers, a sense of accomplishment rushes over me, knowing that the
minute I took to create their beverage has brought people together into
community that may have never been imaginable before.
Tonight as compared to other nights really got me thinking
about what this place called “Café” has come to mean in the lives of so many
people throughout the entire world. Tonight I witnessed something really
special, something I have seen countless times but never really fathomed how
special it was. Society has put strict restrictions as to whom you are able to
converse with. This is usually with people in the same social class as you,
same religion, same political affiliation and the like. Tonight I saw a widow
and her son speaking with a cultured retired couple, with a Sergeant in the
Police Department talking with a drunken homeless man in conversation with an
elderly deaf woman. People from all walks of life have the opportunity to grow
on a deeper level and exchange life experiences others may never dream of. It
was beautiful because it embodied what is truly real about the human
connection.
It is encouraging to know that somewhere out there in a
world where image takes precedence over the individual, social class is more
important than social interaction, there is a place where people can come to
meet, leave the outside world behind and truly be yourself. The coffee shop is
a place to be inspired, connect, grow and truly embody the human sprit. I am
thankful for the opportunity I have to aid in this revolution of acceptance,
one cup at a time.
