Yeah, that's kind of the thing…
I just wasn't sure what was going on. For the last few times I've walked in everyone seemed friendly and intent on my name. I even had one of the baristas asking if I wanted my actual drink before I ordered it.
You’re steadfast, a constant — not a variable. You’re in there, same location, consistently.
I've done nothing (that I know of) that would distinguish me from any other coffee drinker ordering an espresso based drink. Other than the fact that no matter what the season my drink is always hot. It can be 120º outside, my drink is hot.
No, you
have done something: you order the same beverage, consistently, no matter the season or weather (how all of y’all survive in desert AZ just boggles my brain, but convo for another time!). This is, repeated over time (along with your face, name, and maybe even how you carry yourself), becomes
highly memorable. That you’re (I’m guessing) a kind customer likely aids in your being memorable.
Trust when I say when you’re on the other side of the counter/cash, you look forward to anything (and anyone) welcome to break the monotony of the working day of serving hundreds of (mostly) random people.
You welcome the reminders of folks — the “regulars”— who rely on you to deliver exactly what they need, and that which they need being usually consistent. This is not a novel concept! And in a way, it’s probably somewhat reciprocal: you probably wouldn’t want to chance heading to another location to order a flat white, where staff on duty might have forgotten how to make one (since they might not be veterans from when it was on the menu). So you return to the same location — whether due to proximity or knowing you’ll always get what you ask for, without worry.
So, I asked if I was the only one ordering my drink and they said 'yes'. So, now I know why all the attention. I was just confused as to why.
See above.
One of the baristas is new, and has now had formal training on how to make a Flat White that she otherwise would probably not have known about. She's an older woman who I perceive as being very happy she's employed and wants to stay that way. So I imagine this was one of those "I learned something today" kind of things, IDK. I could be way off base on that, but I do know she now knows how to make a Flat White.
Good! You’re locking in your legacy patronage at that location.
It’s getting to be less common with time.
A long time ago, but well within our lifetimes, one could be in a town where one was a morning regular at the local diner, ordering the same breakfast before going about the rest of their day. Servers in diners also enjoy their regulars, because they know what to bring them, and it’s almost like working on autopilot, leaving more energy and brain bandwidth for single-appearance customers.
The thing is that I usually come in after dropping of my wife for work and my kids for school. So, no idea what anyone is thinking. That said, all I will every be is friendly.
They don’t need to know, other than “this is your morning beverage before work begins” order. They probably have a few folks who, like you, are their welcomed regulars.
Been married for 27 years and I have no interest in anyone else other than my wife.
Being a regular customer has nothing to do with marriages.
