I finally asked that barista in Bali why she always remembered my order

She told me she writes down a little detail about each regular in a notebook behind the counter, like 'Jake from the US, hates cinnamon.' It made me realize how much I overlook the small touches when I'm bouncing between coworking spots and cafes. Anyone else ever notice a local business owner doing something that keeps you coming back?

4 comments

4 Comments

claire_young761mo ago

Oh yeah, I've seen this kind of thing a lot. The best local shops do this without you even knowing it. There's a coffee cart near my office where the guy remembers that I always want oat milk and an extra shot, but he never writes it down. He just pays attention. That little effort goes a long way. If you want to be a regular somewhere, tip well and be nice to the staff. They remember that stuff more than you think.

anna4911mo ago

Wait, he remembers your order but doesn't write it down? That's crazy to me. I can't even remember my own order half the time without looking at the menu. People who can do that have a special kind of brain I think.

the_tessa1mo ago

claire_young76 said that thing about tipping well and being nice, and that honestly makes so much sense. I had a friend who used to go to this taco spot in Portland and the owner would always slip her an extra side of the hot sauce she liked. One day she asked about it and the guy was like 'you're the only person who's nice to my new cashier, so you get the good stuff.' She never realized she was being watched like that, but it totally made her feel special. It's wild how much those little human moments matter when you're just trying to get lunch.

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felix4141mo ago

@claire_young76 nails it with that observation. My wife and I go to this little Italian place near our apartment and the owner remembers my wife prefers her pasta with no garlic but extra basil every single time. First time we noticed it, we were totally caught off guard, like how does he keep track of that? It's not just about the food though, it's that feeling of being seen, like you're part of the place and not just another customer passing through. The best spots treat you like a neighbor, not a transaction, and that kind of loyalty builds itself naturally. Of course, showing appreciation and tipping well helps grease the gears, but the real magic is in those small, consistent gestures that tell you someone actually cares about your business.