I try to talk to my customers whenever I get the chance, get to know them a bit better. I think it helps create a friendly atmosphere here at Cafe Mint. There’s nothing quite like some warm tea and even warmer conversation. Today I had the utmost pleasure of meeting Bentleigh the mechanic. I loved hearing all about his work. It was a genuine pleasure to have a conversation with him, and I think he liked the tea, so I couldn’t be happier.
“How long have you been a mechanic, Bentleigh?” I asked him.
He took a sip of his drink before answering. “I have been in the industry for almost twenty years now. Can you imagine the kind of people you meet in twenty years? You can’t be much older than that.”
“Not much,” I said. “What’s a mechanic doing in a posh cafe like this? Not that you’re unwelcome, quite the contrary, but we don’t get many tradies here.”
“Truthfully, I studied mechanics at university before I started working at an auto electrical shop. Bentleigh, my mother said, you don’t need a degree to become a mechanic. It didn’t matter, because I wanted to get one. I’d always dreamed of having that university experience. I’m glad I went, even though the things I learned aren’t of too much use to me in the shop.”
That surprised me, for sure. “So, you’re a well-educated mechanic, which means you’re drawn to upmarket places like this? I’m flattered. I’ll be sure to tell Melanie all about you.”
“If the tea’s always this good, you can expect to see me back here.”
“We try our best,” I said. “Do you know many other mechanics with degrees like you?”
Bentleigh nodded. “You meet them here and there. I go to mechanic conferences when I can, and those are filled with educated fellows like myself, tophats and all. At the end of the day, though, we’re all mechanics because we don’t mind a bit of grease on our hands. We’re all similar at heart.”
Because of our lovely conversation, I’m awarding Bentleigh the mechanic ‘Customer of the Day’!
– Alyssa