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People

SECOND STEP ︳ BARISTAS

Every time you go to buy your coffee, there is always a barista. It seems they are everywhere, telling you stories about the cof-
fee that you drink. In this male dominated industry, it is rare to see a female barista. Women, that we already interviewed, always
play multiple roles: barista, roaster, housewife, wife, husband… This time we chose to talk about those girls, who stand behind the
counter and prepare your favorite coffee, baristas.

Charlotte Malaval France

Aren’t we supposed to rely on

our strength and not gender?

“If we always focus on gender differences, then we
cannot pay any attention to the event itself. I am tired
of people always comparing men and women, making a
fuss and not paying any attention to the real problems
like farmers income, female labor, child exploitation etc.”
Although, male domination really exist in many
industries, but Charlotte would never create a problem
out of it, because she always has supporting people by her
side. “Your success has nothing to do with your gender,
we can find a lot of outstanding women; for example, this
year I am coaching the team, half of which are women.”
If you have been paying following the recent years World Baris- She also said: “Do women really need to rely on
ta Championship, then you definitely know “French rose” Charlotte. same gender leaders to build themselves? If we always
Shirt and high ponytale, her simple and tidy look let her repeatedly have experienced and knowledgeable example in front
become the only female among six best baristas. Looking at Char- of us, then we cannot feel confident enough, but I think
lotte moving so confidently in her coffee journey inspires us a lot. that is the reason to stay modest and keep learning; as for
Before entering coffee industry, she studied cultural anthro- the competitions, confidence, pressure, workload, risk of
pology, but since she got in touch with coffee she could not stop failure etc., there are all the things that we can face any-
it, so she quit university to focus more on coffee and becoming a where. If you want to compete, find the reason and fight
barista. Coffee let Charlotte see its infinite diversity, every day she for it, no one can stop you from pursing knowledge and
finds something new about it: visiting farms, going to different cof- self-confidence.”
fee shops, meeting new people and, finally, taking part in World
Championship. Although it is her second time of being in Top 6,
but she still feels pressure, competition intensity; in short, it is a
wonderful journey. Talking about female place in coffee world,
Charlotte demonstrates amazing confidence: “Every time I see
feminism overload, I feel like it is hijacking of morality.” Charlotte
says that, according to some research, women do not participate in The most
competition because they do not like to compete.
important thing

is to do
It seems like even society wants your best.

male winners to apologize

for their victory.

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