Coffee and Emotional Support: Bikini Barista Interactions with Customers
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation - Campus Access Only
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
The current study compares the experiences of bikini baristas to their nonsexualized counterparts. Women who work as bikini baristas make their money by serving coffee in a drive-thru stand while wearing a revealing outfit. The study compares these workers to women who work in nonsexualizd drive thru coffee stands. The current study is relevant to scholars outside the discipline of sociology because it reveals information on a phenomenon that is understudied across all fields: bikini barista work. Bikini barista stands have become prevalent in the pacific northwest, however, despite their ubiquity, previous research on these jobs is sparse. The current study also contributes to the field of sociology because it reveals information on display work, a term coined by Mears and Connell (2016) to describe when workers are paid to display their bodies. To understand how the baristas, perceive their interactions with customers the current study uses semi-structured interviews. More specifically, the current study uses open-ended questions surrounding the baristas' experiences at work. The interview also includes questions surrounding how baristas felt during and after these experiences.
The interviews with bikini and non-bikini baristas revealed that both groups had emotionally in-depth interactions with customers. Baristas emotionally supported customers through hardships such as loved ones dying, workplace issues, childhood trauma, and relationship issues. However, bikini baristas received care in return from their customers; they emotionally supported baristas and went out of their way to ensure their well-being.
Mentor Name
Daisy Rooks and James Tuttle
Coffee and Emotional Support: Bikini Barista Interactions with Customers
UC 327
The current study compares the experiences of bikini baristas to their nonsexualized counterparts. Women who work as bikini baristas make their money by serving coffee in a drive-thru stand while wearing a revealing outfit. The study compares these workers to women who work in nonsexualizd drive thru coffee stands. The current study is relevant to scholars outside the discipline of sociology because it reveals information on a phenomenon that is understudied across all fields: bikini barista work. Bikini barista stands have become prevalent in the pacific northwest, however, despite their ubiquity, previous research on these jobs is sparse. The current study also contributes to the field of sociology because it reveals information on display work, a term coined by Mears and Connell (2016) to describe when workers are paid to display their bodies. To understand how the baristas, perceive their interactions with customers the current study uses semi-structured interviews. More specifically, the current study uses open-ended questions surrounding the baristas' experiences at work. The interview also includes questions surrounding how baristas felt during and after these experiences.
The interviews with bikini and non-bikini baristas revealed that both groups had emotionally in-depth interactions with customers. Baristas emotionally supported customers through hardships such as loved ones dying, workplace issues, childhood trauma, and relationship issues. However, bikini baristas received care in return from their customers; they emotionally supported baristas and went out of their way to ensure their well-being.