Your Guide to Coffee Shop Etiquette

Janet Camilleri

8 years ago

I never realised there was such a thing as coffee shop etiquette, until Miss 19 and I went out for a sweet treat recently.

Miss 19 has been working in the hospitality industry for some years now – as a waitress, then as a barista, and now as a manager of a coffee shop.

We enjoyed our hot chocolates and macarons out on the verandah, making the most of the winter sunshine. However as we prepared to leave, much to my surprise, Miss 19 insisted I walk back into the store and thank the staff.

Now I have to admit this is something I would not have done if left to my own devices. Sure, if I was actually IN the store and saw our waiter as we left – but I wouldn’t have thought to go out of my way to say “thank you”. Miss 19 took me to task, telling me how much it made her day whenever a customer took the time to thank her.

Having never worked in hospitality myself, I was fascinated to learn what it was like to be on the other side of the counter. Miss 19 was only too happy to educate me in good coffee shop etiquette, and the little things that can really brighten your waiter or barista’s day.

Coffee Shop Etiquette Tips

So here are the top tips from our very own coffee shop manager and resident expert, the beautiful Miss 19:

Don’t come to the counter until you know exactly what you want. As Miss 19 explains: “There is nothing worse than having to wait at the counter for somebody to read the menu and decide what they want, when there are a hundred other things I should be doing. If I walked away it would be rude, but when we are really busy it drives me mental!” She suggests grabbing a menu, taking a seat, or stepping away from the counter to let other people – who have already chosen from the menu – place their order.
Only order from the menu. When customers request something completely different, staff have to not only calculate a realistic price on the spot, but check if they have the necessary ingredients, and if the cook can oblige. Substitutions are fine. Making up an entirely new meal is not.
Greet your barista or waitress. Miss 19 says that despite the fact she tries to always greet her customers with a smile and a “Hi how’s your day been?”, many is the time she will have “CAPPUCCINO” barked rudely back at her.
Put your phone away. Please don’t go to the register to order until you have finished your call – and don’t answer a call either.
Don’t suddenly decide to hand over a different amount of money, in an effort to make it easier to give you change. You might be only trying to help, but if the amount has already been put through the till it’s too late. No matter how simple you think the calculation might be, remember that wait staff work long hours, often at a hectic pace. I think most of us would find it hard to cope with even simple maths after a day like that too!

Remember what you ordered! There is nothing more frustrating than delivering orders to a table of two or more, only to be met with a blank look upon asking, “So who’s having the latte?”
Please don’t ignore wait staff when they bring your coffee or meal. They are people too! The polite thing to do is to at the very least, pause your conversation – it’s even better if you can smile or thank them.
Let’s talk high chairs. While staff are happy to put the high chair away for you, what they are not so keen on is cleaning up the mess – especially when it is food that is not actually from the cafe. Most parents carry nappy bags – by grabbing a wet wipe and giving the high chair a lick and a promise, your wait staff will be forever grateful.
Stack your plates. If you really want to make life a little easier for your wait staff, you are most welcome to tidy your table before you leave by stacking your plates. Miss 19 also loves it when customers actually go to the trouble of bringing their plates to the counter when they’re done.
Say thank you. Thanking the staff as you leave is much appreciated also – as I have now learned!

It’s true that when you go to a cafe you are paying for food and service; and staff are paid to do their job. You don’t have to do all of the above, but Miss 19 would like as many people as possible to read this blog post, and to be aware of what it is like to be on the other side of the counter.

And like so many things in life, it is often a case of you reap what you sow. If you are a polite, friendly and considerate customer, cafe staff are much more likely to go above and beyond to take care of you!

So tell me – did you learn anything new from this guide to coffee shop etiquette? I know I certainly did!

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