Baristas Are Sharing The Stereotypes They Assign To Popular Drink Orders, And I Feel Called Out

    Coffee beans aren't the only things getting roasted today. ☕️

    Angelica Martinez
    by Angelica Martinez

    BuzzFeed Staff

    If you're anything like me, you probably love a good cup of coffee. And while it's nice to branch out and try new things, I think it's safe to say that a lot of us have that one drink that's our go-to. Well, I got to wondering — what does my barista assume about me based on my order?

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    Naturally, I asked baristas in the BuzzFeed Community to share the stereotypes they associate with certain popular drink orders. Let's just say...they spilled the beans. Here are 17 common coffee shop orders, and what they say about you:

    1. A black coffee

    Directly Above Shot Of Woman Hands Holding Black Coffee In Cup On Table
    Mykola Sosiukin / Getty Images/EyeEm

    "A 45-year-old ordering a black cup of coffee? They like their black coffee. 

    A 20-year-old? College kid that takes Philosophy and is trying to impress his friends and/or a date and makes a huge snooty deal out of being 'so young' and having 'defined taste.' LIARS, ALL OF THEM! I have seen kids do this so much, then when no one is looking, ask for cream and sugar or go to the milk bar."

    —witchyribbon84

    "It's always some judgmental douchebag, especially if it's a pour-over."

    —catfuneral

    2. Tea

    Various herbal teas surrounded by flowers
    Simarik / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    "My favorite people — cool and patient and willing to have a polite chat."

    —americanhottie3333

    "You are fancy and I love it. Or you hate coffee. These are 50/50 for me, but the tea drinkers that hate coffee ALWAYS. MAKE IT. KNOWN. Shut up."

    —witchyribbon84

    3. A non-caffeinated (like strawberry or vanilla bean) Frappuccino

    A strawberry cream and a vanilla bean frappuccino from Starbucks
    Starbucks / Via starbucks.com / starbucks.com

     "This person is a kid and/or an adult with the day off."

    —americanhottie3333

    4. A flavored latte

    Rose beetroot latte with vegan coconut milk on wooden table at hipster coffee shop
    Julyprokopiv / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    "YA BASIC! And I love you, no problem. Usually very nice people, not fussy, tip well."

    —witchyribbon84

    "Flavored latte/mochas are soccer moms and grandmas. There's a good chance you're wearing Uggs or Birkenstocks."

    —cindyjs

    5. A pour-over

    A barista pouring water over a pour over coffee mechanism
    Agrobacter / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    "At this point, I assume anybody who orders a pour-over is going to spend the next couple of minutes rolling their eyes and gesturing rudely in my direction, before finally coming up to ask where their drink is…before any pour-over would reasonably be finished."

    —ltkbhs

    6. A white chocolate mocha

    An iced white chocolate mocha with whipped cream
    Getty Images

    "You're Gen Z. For a while, you’d rarely hear an 'iced white mocha' without the follow-up of 'with sweet cream cold foam and caramel drizzle.' We just called it the TikTok drink."

    —ltkbhs

    7. Iced coffee with extras

    Cream is being added to the second iced coffee on the tray.
    Viennetta / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    "If you order an iced coffee with over three modifications, you probably usually order blended drinks, but you're trying to branch out."

    —cindyjs

    8. A caramel Frappuccino

    Blended coffee drink with whipped cream and caramel drizzle
    Starbucks / Via starbucks.com

    "Any caramel Frap with extra caramel is always a mom with two or more kids who is about to lose her damn mind about something that they're running late to."

    — americanhottie3333

    9. Frappuccinos in general

    Frappuccino in takeaway cup on wooden table isolated on black
    Unalozmen / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    "Kids, or people trying out coffee for the first time."

    — witchyribbon84

    "Any blended drink says high schooler, or not a ~real~ coffee drinker."

    —cindyjs

    10. Very specific orders/orders with lots of modifications

    A screenshot of a starbucks order form with may substitutions, like soy milk, splashes of many creams/milks, pumps of five different kinds of syrup, and extra drizzles on top
    Starbucks / Via starbucks.com

    "You're fussy, mean, and generally don't tip well. Many do this for the sake of DOING it. I really don't think you need a 150-degree, no foam, 1/2 pumps of 18 flavors, 10 Splenda, 1/2 dairy whip, 1/2 coconut whip. You're being a dick."

    —witchyribbon84

    "Very anal retentive and willing to complain to my supervisor because the drink wasn't steamed to 187 degrees or the the sugar-free mocha didn't taste like sugar-free mocha."

    —americanhottie3333

    "If your drink has over three modifications, you’re either a barista yourself or just on a power trip."

    —keltonh

    11. A chai latte

    High angle view of chai tea latte on black surface
    Cris Cantón / Getty Images

    "I associate chai lattes with people who were, or are, hippies."

    —betherick85

    12. Drip coffee

    Young man pouring coffee into cup at home
    Westend61 / Getty Images/Westend61

    "They are the angels of the coffee world. Unless you're one of the ones who trash the freshly cleaned condiment bar...there's a special place in hell for you."

    —cindyjs

    13. Cold brew

    Pouring cold brew iced coffee in glass cup with ice cubes
    Microgen / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    "I associate cold brews with people who want to try something new but are hesitant."

    —friendofme

    14. A cappuccino

    Close-Up Of Coffee Cup On Table with foam art
    Lux Superich / Getty Images/EyeEm

    "Cappuccino drinkers are extremely snooty."

    —betherick85

    15. A dry cappuccino

    A cup of coffee with foam art on a wooden table
    Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

    "Every time I get an order for a dry cappuccino, it’s always — and I mean always — an elderly, white man."

    —lucystraubel

    16. An espresso macchiato

    An espresso drink with foam
    Starbucks / Via starbucks.com

    "Espresso macchiatos don’t deserve to be stereotypical drinks for middle-aged assholes who hate teenagers (because they're delicious), but so many customers are rude and condescending when ordering them that I can’t help but think it. Half of the espresso macchiato orders I’ve taken have preceded a patronizing spiel about what an espresso macchiato is. I know that, thanks; I’m the barista here."

    —ltkbhs

    17. A red eye (brewed coffee and espresso)

    Coffee in cafe white cup on a wooden table
    Quilie / Getty Images

    "Rich-looking white guys love coming in early in the morning and ordering a red eye. 'Just a splash,' means you’re convinced that you’re not high maintenance, but you definitely are (because it’s usually followed up by them complaining that you didn’t put enough in)."

    —jonoelle

    Now it's your turn, baristas! Do you disagree with any of these? Are there drink orders — like an iced oat milk latte or a pink drink — that you've assigned certain stereotypes to? If so, tell us about them in the comments below or via this anonymous form!

    Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.