Fox took a deep breath, walked to the register, and braced herself for the same monotonous small talk customers insisted on having while waiting for their coffee.
'What can I getcha?' she asked refraining from making eye contact with the man on the other side of the counter.

Tip number one, if they think you don't want to talk, then they may just take a hint.

'Hey, just a short black thanks.' Fox keyed his order into the register, took his change and threw it in the till before making his coffee over at the machine.
'You must meet some really wacky people working in a cafe on this side of town.' The man laughed leaning over the counter.

Fact number one, majority of Dash customers don't know how to take a hint.

Fox sighed, mumbled a 'mhmm', before locking the handle into the machine and began the wait for the coffee to pour into the takeaway cup.
'Not to mention some crazy coffee orders! What's the craziest order you've gotten?' He continued, not acknowledging Fox's lack of interest. Fox sighed as she pulled the cup from the machine and placed it in front of the gentleman.
'Enjoy.' She said and turned back to the shelves behind the machine where she began stacking cups.
'I've come here every single morning for three months and I've tried to chat with you every day. What's your problem?' He grunted, picking up his coffee.
'Problem?' Fox asked, turning to face him. 'No problem, I just don't understand how people can't take a hint and think at 12 past 6 in the morning, that I want to be chipper and chat about 'wacky people and their crazy coffees'. Now if you don't mind I'm going to get back to work."
The man turned towards the door and stomped his way out, 'Bitch.' He grumbled before slamming the door shut behind him. Fox straightened her apron and smirked to herself.

Fact number two, I would rather be a bitch than chipper at 6am.

Later that same morning Fox was dragged into the office by her 'not so impressed' manager, 'What are you doing to me, Fox? This is your fourth complaint this week alone, it isn't even Wednesday!' He frowned, pressing his fingers to his temples as he sat behind his desk.

'Come on, Andy! It's the start of the year, everyone's still grumpy from spending time with their families. Not to mention that guy has been an absolute twat bag since day one!' Fox shrugged.

'Fox, I'm saying this as your manager and your friend. Please, I beg you, no more complaints. Tips are what help us keep this place running and help you all keep your jobs, you haven't had a tip since before Halloween. Something has to give. I'm not saying you need to change who you are as a person, but just give the customers a chance. Get to know them!' Andrew's eyes widened in excitement.

'Is this a suggestion, or an order?' She sighed in defeat, knowing it was definitely an order. 'How are you going to know if I'm getting to know them? It's not like I can force customers to tip me.'

Andrew threw his head back in laughter, 'Come on Fox, just get to know one of the regulars, know their routines, remember their order, and most of all no more complaints.' His face turned somber, 'Dashiell is on my back at this point, if we receive another complaint about you then we will have no choice but to fire you.'

Tip number two, if your boss isn't happy, then he won't be your boss for long.

Fox sighed and straightened her apron, Andrew was a great manager, he was the one who hired Fox when she first got the job at Dash. She knew she could get away with messing up a bit around him, but whenever he brought up Dashiell she knew it was serious. Dashiell was a very 'by the book' owner, it was his way or the highway. That didn't mean much to Fox because he was never around, he was just the one who signed her payslips, but for Andrew's sake it meant she needed to make some changes.

The pair exchanged a sympathetic smile before Fox made her way to the door.

'Hey Foxy!' Andrew called out as she was in the doorway. She turned to see him back to his usually cheerful self, 'You've got this.'