Love Shouldn't Just Be Displayed.......It Should Be Experienced!…read more
A Coffee Shop Experience That Left Us With More Than a Bitter Taste
My brother and I have a little tradition. We frequently visit our neighborhood Peet's Coffee, not just because the coffee is great, but because the staff is even greater! And the wonderful mix of neighborhood personalities? Well, they add just the right amount of spice to our coffee experience! But the other day, we decided to venture beyond our familiar surroundings. Same coffee. Different neighborhood. A little brotherly adventure!
So, off we went to Midtown Sacramento, laughing, joking, and enjoying each other's company as Siri guided us toward what we thought would be another wonderful coffee experience. When we arrived, we parked beneath some beautiful trees just outside Peet's. The wooden steps and welcoming porch-style entrance immediately caught our attention. It reminded us of something special about growing up in the South. A front porch wasn't just an entrance to a home. It was an invitation to belong. It didn't matter who you were, where you came from, or what you looked like. There was something about those old wooden steps that seemed to whisper, "Come on in. You're welcome here." Unfortunately, that feeling didn't last long.
My brother approached the counter to order his coffee and something sweet, while I settled into a cozy spot near the window to enjoy the beautiful day.
Earlier, I had sent him something interesting from TikTok, but since social media isn't exactly his favorite pastime, he couldn't open it. So, being the helpful little brother that I am, I pulled it up on my phone to show him when he returned. The music inside the coffee shop was somewhat loud, so I increased my phone's volume so he could hear. Boy, was that a mistake!
Suddenly, from behind the counter, a woman whom I presumed to be the manager called out in an angry tone: "DO YOU HAVE MUSIC ON?"
Startled by her approach, I responded, "I'm showing my brother something on TikTok." She replied sharply, "Well, can you turn it off?"
Now, let me be clear! We had absolutely no problem with being asked to lower the volume or turn off the video. We understand that businesses have expectations regarding noise, and we respect that. But there's a difference between making a reasonable request and making someone feel unwelcomed.
It wasn't what she asked. It was how she asked. A simple, respectful approach would have made all the difference. My brother and I looked at each other in disbelief. Without another word, we gathered our belongings and left. And just like that, a business lost two customers; not because of its coffee, its prices, or its policies, but because of how we were treated.
As we walked back down those beautiful wooden steps, something caught our attention. There were signs celebrating LOVE hanging along the street. The irony was impossible to miss. Here we were, surrounded by messages of love, yet walking away from an experience where we felt little warmth, kindness, or respect. And that's when a thought came to mind:
"If you truly show love, you don't have to hang signs announcing it. People will Experience it!" You see, customer service isn't just about serving coffee. It's about serving people. It's about understanding that Every person who walks through your door brings a story, a life, and a desire to be treated with dignity. Sometimes, the smallest interactions leave the biggest impressions.
A smile costs nothing. Kindness requires no special training. A Shot of Love should be listed on your menu and respect should never depend on whether someone is a regular customer or a stranger walking through your doors for the very first time.
My brother and I didn't leave angry. We left disappointed.
Because what began as a beautiful day of brotherhood, laughter, and exploration became a reminder that a welcoming appearance means very little without a welcoming attitude.
So, we headed back to our familiar neighborhood Peet's, where the coffee is wonderful, the people are even better, and the warmth we experience isn't something hanging on a sign. It's something we feel. And perhaps that's the greatest lesson of all: Love isn't what we advertise. Love is what we demonstrate.
And the true measure of hospitality isn't how beautifully you decorate your entrance, it's how people feel after walking through your door.
One cup of coffee can warm your hands. But one act of kindness can warm your heart. A shot of Love = Free!