My comrades...

The worst thing about the coffeeshops that I've worked at is the lack of decent employees. Fun as hell? Yes. Do I love most of the eccentric folks that I've stood behind a bar with? Certainly. But, to say that my co-workers are anything but lazy and shiftless would be doing us both a great disservice.

I open the store every single morning. I've never been late. I've never done a no-call-no-show. Oh, and I have to be up at 4:15am to get to work on time. So when you do work with me follow these simple rules. Show up. On time, if you can. Be ready to work at scheduled time, not just pulling up in the parking lot at scheduled time. Don't show up and then immediately leave me in another lurch because you have to have a taco from next door. I got here first, with less opportunity to eat, due to the fact that I had to get up two hours before you, and I haven't had a bite to eat yet. Eat before you come in, or get so used to working so early in the morning that you don't even need to eat then.

Also, if you see me wandering around the store doing miscellaneous chores and whatnot, join me. Don't just sit there checking your myspace. If you think my boss gives me a free pass, and that she likes me more, it's probably true. I show up, again on time, in my clean uniform, and if I clock in for 6 hours, she knows she's getting 6 hours of work out of me. I still laugh and joke and have fun at work, but I know that I am there to work.