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Article posted Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:52am

Dear Mary Pat,

I go to get coffee before work every morning and while I love the place itself, the woman who waits on me is so rude. I asked her a question about how a cappuccino was made and she was smug and condescending. Another time she rolled her eyes at me when I asked what the flavors of the day were and she said, “We don’t have flavored coffee.” I was chastised since I said “flavor” instead of “roast.” I’m not one to complain, but I think her boss should know that she’s not nice to customers. Or maybe I should just let it go.

Signed,

Berated By A Barista

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Dear Berated,

We all have bad days, but this woman appears to have more bad days strung together than most. She absolutely should be pleasant to customers and that quality is one that the person who hired her should have put top of the list. Before you say anything to her boss, see if you can help improve her attitude. Kill her with kindness and see if she cracks a smile. Say “good morning” to her before she scowls and see if you can’t turn the tables on her. You’ll be happier and she will too. And if this doesn’t work, maybe a word to her boss wouldn’t hurt. If I had a coffee shop and had employees who were rude, I would surely want to know. It’s also more direct and mature than trashing them on Yelp.

Let me know how it goes. Maybe this gal isn’t a morning person and should switch to the afternoon shift.

Good luck,

Mary Pat