It’s easy for me to get consumed by tech. Between what I’m building, what I’m learning, and the community around it, it can start to feel like my whole world. Working behind a counter gives me a chance to step into someone else’s day.
I love the everyday parts of it. Remembering a regular’s order. Helping someone new find something they might like. Having a conversation that has nothing to do with school, careers, or the latest thing in tech.
She was one of those regulars. She would come in and talk about her day, often with her boyfriend, and over time those conversations became a familiar part of work. Then one day, she came in and announced that they were engaged.
Someone I knew through these little everyday visits had a huge piece of news, and I got to hear it. I had seen small pieces of her life as they happened, and now I was there for this one, too.
Those are the stories I love being around for. You never know whether the person walking through the door is on an ordinary visit or having a day they’ll remember for years. Most of the time, it’s an ordinary visit. I enjoy those, too.
After I left the job, I heard that regulars had asked where I was. It was such a small thing, but it meant a lot. Those conversations had become part of their routines, just as they had become part of mine.
It’s nice to be known for something beyond being a developer. To some people, I’m a familiar face who remembers their order, has a recommendation ready, or takes a moment to hear about their day. That part of who I am matters to me.
I love building things. I also love remembering someone’s order and asking how their day has been.
