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Seeking Help and Guarding Against Job Contamination

THE MAYOR OF STARBUCKS

But it’s crazy packed at the Starbucks I’m writing at on this one day, and the guy making the drinks is scrambling to keep up. And as he’s making all these drinks, a thirtysomething lady is telling him an in-depth story, and somehow he’s making drinks, smiling, and saying, “Yep. Wow. You don’t say … Fred your skinny caramel macchiato is ready at the bar … Wow. Yep. That’s amazing …”

Then to my disbelief something begins to happen that I’ve never seen in all my thousands of hours spent in coffee shops. The thirtysomething lady finishes her story, says goodbye, and the 45-year-old businessman, who already got his drink, steps up and begins talking to the guy making drinks as two people wait behind him holding their drinks.

These customers weren’t waiting for their drinks; they were all waiting for their chance to talk to the guy making the drinks. I’m pretty sure if anyone would’ve taken a picture of me they would’ve caught a stellar prolonged shot of Mouth Fully Agape. Then I start wondering how many of these people bought a drink just as an excuse to come talk to this guy who apparently is everyone’s best friend.

Later in the day when this Starbucks employee is walking around the store cleaning up, he literally can’t walk two steps before someone is calling his name asking him to join their conversation. And I see more why this guy is so loved. He’s laughing and looking people in the eyes. He’s telling stories and more importantly listening intently to all of theirs. He’s not cheesy and over the top. He looks and sounds like he actually cares.

I mean really, what’s with this guy? Is he that special? I wonder if I should stop the guy myself and ask for his autograph. Because I feel as though I’m in the presence of the Mayor of Starbucks.

练习题

What detail best shows that the Starbucks employee remains friendly even while he is very busy?

A. He ignores the line so he can finish a personal conversation.

B. He makes drinks while smiling and responding to a customer’s long story.

C. He stops making drinks whenever someone begins talking to him.

D. He asks customers to wait silently until the rush is over.

Why is the narrator surprised by the customers waiting near the drink counter?

A. They are angry that their drinks are taking too long.

B. They are waiting for refunds because their orders are wrong.

C. They already have their drinks but are waiting to talk to the employee.

D. They are trying to help the employee make drinks faster.

Which description best explains why the employee’s behavior feels meaningful rather than fake?

A. He performs dramatic jokes to entertain every customer.

B. He looks people in the eyes, listens carefully, and seems to truly care.

C. He gives free drinks to customers who tell him stories.

D. He avoids personal conversations so he can stay professional.

Which details from the passage show the employee’s strong connection with customers? Select all that apply.

A. He keeps making drinks while smiling and responding to a customer’s story.

B. Customers wait for their chance to talk to him even after receiving their drinks.

C. People call his name and ask him to join their conversations while he cleans.

D. He refuses to speak to customers until the store is empty.

E. The narrator says customers seem to treat him like everyone’s best friend.

The title-like phrase “Mayor of Starbucks” suggests that the employee is socially important and widely liked within that Starbucks.

The passage suggests that the employee builds connection through genuine care, which contrasts with the earlier idea that growth and self-discovery disappear when challenges are removed.

The customers were not really waiting for their drinks; they were waiting for their chance to ___ the employee making the drinks.

In 1-3 sentences, explain why the narrator views the Starbucks employee as more than just someone making drinks. Connect your answer to how observation or exploration can help someone make sense of a situation.

Which interpretation best connects the Starbucks employee’s behavior with the earlier idea that “a job that demands nothing” can prevent growth?

A. The employee’s job seems valuable only because it is comfortable and requires little effort.

B. The employee shows that a demanding job can still become meaningful when someone brings skill, attention, and genuine care to it.

C. The employee proves that busy work always prevents people from forming real relationships.

D. The employee’s popularity shows that the safest job is one where no one expects anything from you.

Which statements accurately combine the Starbucks scene with prior ideas about unhealthy or unfulfilling work environments?

A. The Starbucks employee’s genuine attention contrasts with workplaces where people dislike their jobs and cope through overeating.

B. Customers waiting to talk to the employee suggest that authentic human connection can make a work setting feel less empty or mechanical.

C. The employee’s popularity proves that all food-service jobs are automatically better than office jobs.

D. The earlier warning about comfortable work helps explain why doing nothing all day can be more draining than active, engaged work.

E. The scene shows that being busy always makes a person less likable.

The “Mayor of Starbucks” nickname fits because the employee’s genuine care and ability to connect with customers make him socially central in the store, which contrasts with prior descriptions of work environments marked by boredom, disengagement, or poor outlook.

The Starbucks employee is not portrayed as merely efficient; he becomes the “Mayor of Starbucks” because his busy work is paired with ___ care for customers.

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