3 values to be an Awesome Barista
In 2010, I accepted an invitation to demonstrate Latte Art to the public in Kallang Leisure Park. I was fresh from running 3rd in both the SNBC as well as the first Latte Art Challenge. There and then, the emcee post a random question; "Named three most important things that a barista need to have to last forever in this industry?"
It was unrehearsed and I never thought of a question like that ever but my answers came almost naturally and immediately.
HONESTY, HARDWORKING & HUMBLE!
Now, this was three years ago and why I am blogging this down only today was because I am reminded again by a interview question posed by a media student of Singapore Polytechnic.
Now 3 years later, I gave the same answer with a lot more emphasis on the value HUMBLE. Unfortunately, many Barista lack it. The humility which was once aplenty when they were new to this trade disappear once they reach (or think they reach) a higher level than they ever did before.
Not being humble means the coffee learning process stops for this individual. Not being humble means having a big ego and with ego, how can a particular individual lower himself to the level of mortals to learn and re-learn. Being less mortal also mean that you are more likely alone in your surroundings and is a known truth that people thrive better with a good company, interacting with like minded enthusiasts and bouncing off from each other wealth of knowledge. In short, socializing.
You can be the champion of the universe but if you are not humble enough to share, the knowledge dies in you and your ego mind will never allow yourself to learn new things. When you don't learn, you don't last forever in this industry. Get it?
It was unrehearsed and I never thought of a question like that ever but my answers came almost naturally and immediately.
HONESTY, HARDWORKING & HUMBLE!
Now, this was three years ago and why I am blogging this down only today was because I am reminded again by a interview question posed by a media student of Singapore Polytechnic.
Now 3 years later, I gave the same answer with a lot more emphasis on the value HUMBLE. Unfortunately, many Barista lack it. The humility which was once aplenty when they were new to this trade disappear once they reach (or think they reach) a higher level than they ever did before.
Not being humble means the coffee learning process stops for this individual. Not being humble means having a big ego and with ego, how can a particular individual lower himself to the level of mortals to learn and re-learn. Being less mortal also mean that you are more likely alone in your surroundings and is a known truth that people thrive better with a good company, interacting with like minded enthusiasts and bouncing off from each other wealth of knowledge. In short, socializing.
You can be the champion of the universe but if you are not humble enough to share, the knowledge dies in you and your ego mind will never allow yourself to learn new things. When you don't learn, you don't last forever in this industry. Get it?
an a definite "H" word i hope all Barista in Singapore do not be, a HYPOCRITE! I put all my money and trust to a so call "well-known" coffee personality few years ago and opened a cafe together, only for it to not meet any expectations and closed down less than 6 months later. I should have never trusted him.
ReplyDeleteSuhaimie, will you name and shame this individual here if i email you the details?
Good thoughts. I think being humble extends not only to the coffee industry but in all aspect of our lives. Being humble enables us to constantly know that there are always someone out there that is better than us. As we move forward in life, there always will be new inventions, new ways of doing things and acknowledging the fact that knowledge is a vast ocean, we will be able to learn new stuffs. Admitting that we are the best once we achieved something is delusional. Thumbs up Suhaimie.
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