The number one way to be forgettable is to speak so quietly that others can hardly hear what you say and can quickly forget that you spoke at all.
I did this exact thing a couple weeks ago at my neighborhood Starbucks. It worked perfectly.
I am normally a "let's run through the drive-through and grab a drink" kind of person. In those situations, they can forget what you ordered, but they don't generally forget the fact that you ordered something. It's kind of a win-win situation. They get paid and I get some random drink that I may or may not enjoy.
That being said, on this particularly cool, sleepy morning, the drive-through line was insanely busy so I asked my husband to let me off at the door. We were in a massive hurry, so I thought that, perhaps, going inside would be quicker (have you ever noticed how Starbucks takes longer to fill drive-through orders?).
Wrong. I didn't account for my lack of assertiveness, which usually multiplies the amount of time it would take a normal person to get what they want.
I got in line and quickly made it to the counter. There, I placed my order for my usual tall, non-fat pumpkin spice latte and handed over the payment. I watched the gentleman at the counter write my order on the cup and then headed to the other end of the counter to wait for my drink.
At least five people ordered drinks after me. And I waited.
I waited as every car in the line outside passed by the window.
I waited as the five people behind me were handed their drinks.
I waited and said nothing, even as I heard the barista ask her coworker who my drink was for.
Finally, after an eternity of waiting for her to notice me (not likely to happen, since I am the most forgettable person alive), I approached the counter, squeaked out something, and managed to catch her attention.
"I think that's my drink," I said in an overly nervous way (what's she going to do - bite me?).
"Oh! Sorry about that! Here let me steam it so we can heat it up again!"
And 30 minutes later, I left Starbucks with my semi-warm latte and at least 20 angry text messages because we were running so late.
And that is how it's done...
Until next time!
-Your Neighborhood Doormat
