The Third Place

Some of my friends are already aware with my out-of-sudden decision to be a barista. On part time basis. Something unusual for people like us but what the heck, nothing is wrong, right?

It was not something NK approved in the beginning, but he knows I was bored sitting at home during weekend. So one day, while loitering around Mid Valley, I saw this one vacancy notice and asked my self, why not? Anyhow, the journey was pretty smooth -  the form filling thing, the interview, the briefing/ first impression, etc etc. I was hired on the very same day and of course being a newbie, the experience may seems a little bit overwhelming to me.

It was until the training session in Berjaya Times Square, I realised why I made this choice.

The trainer of the day was a 22-year Assistant Manager from some outlet. Pretty young thing. With hopes and ambition and his path is so determined, he had a smooth sailing journey without hitches. When someone mentioned on his or her 21st birthday,  having cars/bikes/house/etc etc at this age to these people can be considered as a big milestone. As  what I used to think. So Dee ja vu.

What can be so interesting when Nick, the trainer mentioned the philosophy behind the success of this establishment  is not because of its coffee as the main product but due to its people who happen to be there. the worker. the staff. u name it. To us, it is "Partners". The Merry Makers. The Greeters. The Ones who Smile.

We the human beings always regard our 1st place should be our homes - the place to sleep, eat, pray and relax. Our second place will be our work/ offices, where we spend time 8-9 hours toiling some effort to earn money and  of course, there will be another place for us to escape from the daily hustle and bustle of life, a temporary asylum from the madness or crowd or simply to run away.

That is how Starbucks was created. TheThird Place. The place to escape. To lepak. to Hang out.

The concept is so revolutionary for those who think Businessess is the next way to go for next career option. There are many products in the market, however Customer Experience will be a major deciding factor after pricing for many repeating transactions. To create lasting ones, we need to understand human needs. What makes human to grow fond of certain things. What does it means to have this or that. superficially sounds but  being human, treating ourselves with things that we deserve perhaps makes every individual are free to determine the way they live. 

And that is why, certain bussiness did well. some may flop or some may need fine tuning. Business should come with a working concept. Not some flaboyant ,too idealistic, too dreamy. Unless you decide to set up a brothel house for some lonely and tak mampu men to release or escape. Anyhow, it can be also a little bit tricky too when those enforcer keep coming, for catch or bribery. OK, I am not suggesting lewd stuff but just giving example ehheheheheh

So this is my Third Place. The place I am working on part time hours, with the merry makers, The Partners, the fantastic coffee aromatic whiff  with reheated cheese cakes, pastries, juices, blenders noises. The greetings. The His and Thank Yous. I found peacefulness  among the busy people, walking and queing to get the coffee. A place to get some distraction. To forget problems. To think that things will be OK later in my life. 

Somehow, capitalism and human basic need co-relates with each other.

So what is your third place?