soft hours
standard operating procedure
1. SOP
2. base format of a gong fu session
3. our menu
4. conversation topics
5. sponsorship
expectation setting
hello and ty for joining the crew for soft hours. soft hours is 1) brewing tea, and 2) sharing space with each other in a healthy and non-judgemental way. thank you for wanting to be a part of this journey. we expect things may be a little rocky at first, but if we all agree that the above reasons are true in our hearts and as we pour we may find ourselves able to build a structure for this kind of thing to survive (+ us along with it)
I. SOP
Main Pillar = Hospitality & Accessibility
General = each station has different tea, you’ll keep your own stock, all orders will go through you, all food is a la carte.
White Tea / Yellow Tea - _____
Puehr Table - Andy
Oolong / Black Tea Table - _____
Oolong / Yellow- Miriam
Herbal Tea Table - Aliena
Water Bearer - JC
Host - Havilah
1. Cha’Ren will stock their own tea and be responsibile for measuring out reasonable portions
2. clients will be invited to roam to each station depending on their preferences, note: some stations may have 20 people, some may only have 2, please treat everyone with welcoming hospitality
3. all food is a la carte, all orders go through cha’ren, each station will have a qr code, once the transaction is complete, place an order with water bearer.
Session 1 is approximately 4-6, you are welcome to take a break or call it quits for the evening after the first session
Session 2 is approximately 6-9
I. Roles
cha’ren: miriam, henry, polina, aliena, andy
in charge of tea, specifically gong-fu. manages tea-ware and sets the vibe of the gong fu cha session. directly interacts with clientel, but communicates needs to water bearer. cha’ren should never have to leave their set for more than a minute. If you need something from the water bearer, such as water or a service item, fold your towel and lay it on your shoulder. lean on water bearer for water, and other service needs. the conversations may be about tea, they maybe about anything. the role helps the conversation flow as much as it does ensure everyone has their fill. If the conversation ever takes a suspiciously bad turn and you need assistance, flag the water bearer down by placing your tea towel on your shoulder.
water bearer: jc
floater, floor-runner, in-between. a water bearer’s main duty is to ensure all boilers are filled. second duty is attending to the service needs of cha’ren and their clientelle. Water bearer should have eyes on the floor at all times, watching for signals, flags, and anything out of place. If water bearer is free, they should tidy things up.
Host: havilah
host should first: meet people at the door and guide their intentions in the space. next, host is responsible for checking in with roaming clientel or watching the floor. Should a host spot a service flag, they should communicate it to the water bearer.
II. base format of a gongfu session for a cha’ren
gongfu is supposed to be casual, but we invite you to infuse your sessions with your own spirit and preferences. At the very least, we should pour tea correctly, with gong fu—intention.
a. present the dry tea
b. bloom and wash the tea
c. smell the tea
d. brew the tea
e. serve the tea
f. if a tea should be ended, pile the tea on the edge of the board and wash all vessels in boiling water for the next tea.
once you take your seat, you are locked in. tea courses will be deliverd to you by water bearer on the half hour.
you will be given a stack of session cards and note pads to hand to those who want to track their experience.
you will also be given a flag towel. if you wish to get the water-bearer’s attention, fold your flag and toss it on your shoulder. this will signal that you would like a water refill.
Challenge yourself to pay attention to what your clients like. you may find that some people prefer stronger tastes, and others prefer delicate tastes.
III. menu
IV. conversation topics