I pulled up to the window and asked if I could get a 16oz latte. Where most people might say “Sure thing!”, or “Comin’ right up!”, he simply paused for a moment, and said “Yes” as if he’d given it some thought. As if he had considered my request, and in his benevolence, decided he could grant me this favor. After all, they had enough to spare.

It’s unusual to see a coffee man, normally coffee shop employees are cute & adorable young women. These ladies’ uniform attractiveness and pert little bodies make me question the supposed ‘Equal Opportunity Employer’ whose sexist stereotyping I continue to endorse with my caffeine purchases. …and shamefully not without enjoyment.

I honestly believe that, were it not for the beautiful baristas, most men wouldn’t buy drinks at coffee houses. Such beverages, with their European nomenclature, don’t tend to fit with the current American masculine image, at least out here in the Western states. Yet, some of the same men, who ordered their black Folders coffee at Dixie’s Cafe 10 years ago are now found in the Starbucks drive-thru in their full-ton Dodge Rams ordering “venti brevés” for a chance to flirt with these young ladies.

And so I wondered about this boy serving my coffee… It must be hard for him in this profession, I’m guessing he doesn’t see nearly the tips that the girls bring in. Yet, he handled it well… presenting himself as a Coffee Lord of sorts, granting petitions from us customers on an individual basis. He had seemingly bestowed a great kindness to me, and my growing caffeine-withdrawal-related headache. Of course, he still charged me $3.25 for the drink… so it’s not as if I wasn’t compensating him. But I have to admit, I think I was fooled a little… I truly felt thankful. I tipped him the full $1.75 change, and I didn’t even ask him to punch my card… It’s best not to ask for too much from royalty.