We drove out to California to visit Sandy’s sister over the holiday. That’s a long drive from Colorado. I could fly but I hate being a vicim of air travel, where they screw you over trying to squeeze a dime. And I saw the perfect example of this stopping for a simple cup of coffee.
The town we stopped in to charge, didn’t have a regular coffee house, all they had was a McDonald’s and I really wanted a cup of coffee. I have nothing against McDonald’s, really. They have their place, but it had been years since I had been to one.
When I walked in I expected to see a counter where you could order, but instead, the counter was half the usual size and most of it was taken up by a place where you can pick up an order. But how did you order I wondered?
Behind me were large screen displays, and on further inspection I saw that yes, this was how I was supposed to order my cup of coffee. So instead of “talking” to a real person, asking for a cup and paying the cheerful counter person, I now had to go through a long series of screens and finally give my credit card for this simple cup of coffee. Then I had to wait, because they informed me they needed to make a new pot. Finally about 10 minutes later I got my coffee. It was at least fresh.
While I drank, I watched people of all ages standing around these screens wondering what to do. I get why they did this by the way. Two main reasons; it cuts down on employees since there aren’t any to be had. And second, doing the daily books is a piece of cake because there is no cash to deal with, which means you don’t have to make a deposit at the bank either. Many places are going to this cashless dystopian future.
Hence, what I really want to talk about. Stand up and say NO! I will not go into this automated, cold, vanilla business future. If I do a brewery or even a simple pizzeria, I want it to be messy with life. Different personalities. Human interactions. I want to be able to pay in CASH and then I want to actually figure out the tip based on the quality of what I was served and how it was served rather than touching a screen that pre-selects the tip I am “recommended” to leave.
At Colorado Boy people can sit right at the counter where they are making the pizzas with real dough that was made by an actual person. There is flour everywhere, it is a madhouse of activity of sound, smell and a lot to see.
I could be wrong but I think people are going to get sick of the slick stainless steel and glass environments where you have to interact with a computer instead of a person.
A brewery is supposed to be about craft.
craft
skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects; a job or activity that needs skill and experience, or something produced using skill and experience
We don’t make beer just to make money.
100% agree, and I work in technology for a living! It's just all too much, too impersonal and even worse, when the tech malfunctions (which it always does)... who do you turn to for help? AI? It's maddening. Nope, we prefer real people to take your order and deliver your food, real paper menus you can hold in your hand, and we don't even have TV's in our place, which people compliment us on all the time. People WANT to connect.
I don't think the green eye shades understand humans. I can go anywhere for a drink or food. It's the people that make the difference. A vodka 7, bottled or canned beer I can get thay anywhere. It's the people serving that keep me coming back not the screen. It's the interaction that makes or breaks places.