In search of a job with no stress, I try a coffee bar

I don't know if Chris would agree, but I did pretty well for my first day. Apparently, time spent behind the concession stand at high school sporting events is not without residual effect.

And, if I may say so, I brought an important perspective to the job: I actually buy my coffee at places like the Daily Grind, and I know how I like to be treated and that's how I treated my customers. Whatever the speed of their learning curve, twentysomethings don't always understand the range of courtesies included in the phrase "customer service."

What the twentysomethings taught me was the importance of tipping - something I have never thought to do for counter service. But this is how they earn their living right now, and their share of the tip jar can exceed by a wide margin their hourly pay. I am going to be a much better tipper because of my time at the Daily Grind.

We were busy that morning and my shift just flew by - another benefit to a job like this. But when I left, I did not leave empty-handed and lighthearted, as I had hoped.

I was still worried about whether Chris thought I was a pain. And I had a column to write.