Most people go to coffee shops for a quick break, a quiet place to work, or just a decent cup of coffee. But it only takes one person to throw off the whole vibe. Loud phone calls, slow ordering, or hovering a little too close to the barista can turn a normal visit into something frustrating. It’s not always done on purpose, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying. These habits are common, easy to fix, and guaranteed to bother the people around you if you keep doing them.
Asking For Another Shot After You’ve Paid
If you realize you want an extra shot, say it before the payment goes through. Changing your mind afterward slows everything down and throws off the barista, especially when there’s a line. It might not seem like a big deal, but it messes with the rhythm and annoys the people still waiting on their drinks. Just decide what you need before you order.
Using All the Change In Your Wallet To Pay
Digging through your wallet and counting out coins takes way longer than you think. Sure, it might help you get rid of loose change, but no one wants to wait behind someone paying in quarters and pennies. Keep it simple. Pay fast and keep the line moving.
Saying “Ex-presso”
This one gets eye rolls for a reason. There’s no x in espresso and saying it wrong every time doesn’t help your case. You don’t need to sound fancy, just say it like you’ve heard it once before. Baristas notice, and so does everyone else.
Staring At The Barista While They Make Your Drink
It’s fine to watch, but intense eye contact the whole time makes people uncomfortable. Baristas aren’t putting on a show, they’re just trying to make drinks. You don’t need to look away completely, but give them a little space to work.
Ordering Like You’re At Starbucks When You’re Not
Every shop has its own setup, and walking in with a Starbucks-style order doesn’t help anyone. Rattling off things like venti, extra pump, half this, half that confuses baristas who don’t use that lingo and puts everyone behind you on hold while it gets sorted out. It’s not about being pretentious, it’s just not the right place for that order. Check the menu, keep it simple, and order what the shop actually serves. You’ll get your drink faster, and the staff will thank you for it.
Talking on the Phone While Ordering
This rule goes for any store, not just coffee shops. If you’re still mid-conversation when you step up to order, just wait until you’re done. It’s hard for the barista to know if you’re talking to them or someone on the phone, and even harder to get your order right. It slows everything down and makes it look like you don’t care enough to pay attention. Step aside, finish your call, then place your order like a human who knows where they are.
Not Knowing What You Want
Standing in line with no idea what you’re getting is a quick way to frustrate everyone behind you. You had time to figure it out before getting to the front, and now the whole place is stuck waiting while you ask ten questions about the menu. Baristas are trying to keep things moving, especially in the morning. Take a second, look at the board, and have a plan before you hit the register.
Throwing Liquid Filled Cups In The Trash
Tossing a half-full cup in the trash might seem harmless, but someone has to clean that up. Bags leak, bins overflow, and baristas end up dealing with a gross mess that could’ve been avoided. There’s usually a sink or designated spot to dump leftover drinks. Use it. It takes two extra seconds and saves someone else from dealing with a bag full of soggy trash.
Being Cheap and Making Your Own Latte
Ordering a single espresso and then heading to the condiment station to dump in milk and make your own latte isn’t clever, it’s just cheap. It tells the barista you want the full drink without paying for it, and it adds extra cost to the café in the long run. Most people wouldn’t bring a salad bar plate to the register and expect to pay for one tomato. Same idea. If you want a latte, order the latte.
Not Specifying Your Preferred Milk
If you want a specific type of milk, you need to say so when you order. Leaving that part out creates confusion and often means the drink has to be remade. It slows down service and wastes ingredients, especially during busy times. Whether it’s whole, oat, almond, or something else, just be clear about it upfront so the barista can get it right the first time.
Grabbing The Wrong Drink From The Counter
Snagging someone else’s drink because you weren’t paying attention is one of the fastest ways to annoy a room full of caffeine-deprived people. It slows everything down, leads to remakes, and can back up a busy bar for ten minutes. Listen for your name. Check the cup. It’s not that complicated, and it saves everyone a lot of frustration.
Disappearing After You Place Your Order
Ordering, then wandering off like you forgot you’re waiting for something just makes things harder on the barista. When your name gets called and no one’s there to claim it, drinks start stacking up and the whole system slows down. Stay close enough to hear your name and grab your drink while it’s still fresh. You’re not ordering room service, you’re at a coffee shop.
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Most of us just toss out our coffee grinds after brewing a pot, but those leftovers have more uses than you might expect. From gardening hacks to home remedies, coffee grinds can be repurposed in several surprising and effective ways. Discover ten innovative methods to give your used coffee grinds a second life. Before you throw them in the trash tomorrow morning, consider these clever alternatives that can help you make the most out of your morning brew’s byproduct.
Read it Here: How to Repurpose Coffee Grinds in 11 Surprising Ways
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Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
