Cake used to be for the upper class. Having sugar and extra flour meant that you were wealthy. Having a pastry chef who could create a centerpiece out of dessert foods meant that you could throw a really good party. Those things are still true. Cake is still for those of us who have disposable income. Some of us can afford only a few cupcakes while others can spend $70 on two dozen without batting an eye.
I knew I would enjoy selling cupcakes because I LOVE cake. I love smelling it. I love eating it. I love helping people figure out which cake they want to eat. And, most importantly, I love talking about cake. From baking methods, to flavors, to ingredients...you name it. I want people to ask me about the cupcakes.
This precious deliciousness, this love in food form, is powerful. For the most part, it inspires goodwill and cheerfulness. Something I did not expect to love about my job was how- for a few moments at least- I become a part of people's lives. When I ask "How can I help you today?" sometimes they just say, "I need a dozen cupcakes." But more often than not, they start telling me about how it's their sister's birthday, or that their kids made A Honor Roll, or how their girlfriend has been really busy lately and deserves a treat. Occasionally it comes off like they're trying to justify their cake eating habits to me, but usually it's quite genuine and it makes me feel really special. It's an honor to be a part of people's celebrations.
I think it makes them feel good when they see that I am delighted for them. The warm fuzzies start swarming and they leave me tips (sometimes) and I tell them to come back, and they say they will. Then I help the next person and it starts all over again- except when it doesn't. Not everyone can be made happy by cake. Some folks will always be displeased, no matter what.
It seems like a simple recipe for happiness: a cup-sized serving of sugary bread with a pile of buttercream on top. Ta-Dah! Before you know it, icing-induced smiles are spreading like wildfire. Perhaps Rousseau's "great princess" was not being flippant when she said , "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche." Maybe she was onto something. Wouldn't it be great if we could solve the world's problems by"Let[ting] them eat cake"?
I knew I would enjoy selling cupcakes because I LOVE cake. I love smelling it. I love eating it. I love helping people figure out which cake they want to eat. And, most importantly, I love talking about cake. From baking methods, to flavors, to ingredients...you name it. I want people to ask me about the cupcakes.
This precious deliciousness, this love in food form, is powerful. For the most part, it inspires goodwill and cheerfulness. Something I did not expect to love about my job was how- for a few moments at least- I become a part of people's lives. When I ask "How can I help you today?" sometimes they just say, "I need a dozen cupcakes." But more often than not, they start telling me about how it's their sister's birthday, or that their kids made A Honor Roll, or how their girlfriend has been really busy lately and deserves a treat. Occasionally it comes off like they're trying to justify their cake eating habits to me, but usually it's quite genuine and it makes me feel really special. It's an honor to be a part of people's celebrations.
I think it makes them feel good when they see that I am delighted for them. The warm fuzzies start swarming and they leave me tips (sometimes) and I tell them to come back, and they say they will. Then I help the next person and it starts all over again- except when it doesn't. Not everyone can be made happy by cake. Some folks will always be displeased, no matter what.
It seems like a simple recipe for happiness: a cup-sized serving of sugary bread with a pile of buttercream on top. Ta-Dah! Before you know it, icing-induced smiles are spreading like wildfire. Perhaps Rousseau's "great princess" was not being flippant when she said , "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche." Maybe she was onto something. Wouldn't it be great if we could solve the world's problems by"Let[ting] them eat cake"?
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