Today I made someone a take-away mocha and asked them if they wanted any sugar with it. "Eight please," they replied.
"Eight?"
"Is it white sugar or brown?"
"It's raw sugar."
Thoughtful frown as she did the calculation. "Better make it eleven."
Later, another customer came in and asked for a coffee. I asked if she wanted sugar. She said "One please."
I almost never make small talk while I'm actually making the coffee. It's a noisy process that actually does require concentration. But there was something about this customer that I liked. The Vibe. During a non-concentrationy part of the process when I wasn't banging or frothing (hmm... does that sound dodgy or what?), I told her my story about the mocha with 11 sugars. She laughed. I went back to the coffee. After a few moments the customer said, "Actually... you aren't looking for staff by any chance?"
I told her that we may be soon but I'm not sure how soon. My current off-sider has said she has vague plans to move on but isn't sure when. The customer had apparently enjoyed my story (pretty shit as stories go but it probably is my best recent attempt at mid bang-and-froth small talk) and had been looking around the cafe and had decided that it was a cool little place. She's been looking for bar work but could see herself working with us.
An hour later my current off-sider informed me that she has decided to move to Sydney and that she is happy work around whatever is convenient for us.
And that's my story about the mocha with 11 sugars, reluctant small talk and The Vibe.