I am not a coffee drinker. I get my caffeine from soft drinks. My brothers were amazed that I made it through college without drinking coffee. I attend early morning meetings and people cannot believe that I don’t want a cup of coffee. I have barely ever set foot in Starbuck’s, and to reveal a real bummer for my family…we do not own a coffee maker. My husband rarely drinks coffee. We are not ‘typical’ Americans. I do not think coffee is bad, I just have never acquired a taste for it.
Once when I was joining a salesperson on a customer call, I was told by my colleague that if they offered coffee take it, never say no. It sets a negative beginning for the conversation. So when they offered coffee, we each were handed a cup. Mine sat on the table untouched. I was later asked by the client if something was wrong with my coffee…and I was stuck. How do I tell them why I was served a cup when I do not drink coffee? I said I forgot about it and apologized for not drinking it. This whole situation bothered me. I did something against who I was, and then played along per someone else’s instructions. I told the salesperson in the car never to do that to me again. If we couldn’t set a positive tone for the meeting without a cup of coffee, then we were not very good with people.
Once I realized I could gracefully turn down coffee, I heaved a sigh of relief. I was able to accept that I was different than most people and move on. There are lots of alternatives – tea, hot chocolate, orange juice, soda, water – I can consume in the morning. Sometimes the challenge is they are not always as readily available as coffee. Buy ya’ figure it out as you go forward.
Isn’t that true about a lot of things? When you figure out that you are different AND you are okay with that idea, everything changes. You are willing to endure the questions and looks of amazement and the friendly ribbing…and you can be yourself with confidence. You can make your choices because that is what YOU want, not what everyone expects you to want. People related to genuine people. They don’t like being tricked to make a good impression. So whatever your morning liquid is, embrace it and order it freely. Be yourself in all situations, no matter what other people tell you is right. In the end, being true to you is the best way to start any day.
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