It's not directly Starbucks we dislike, it's just the fact that it's a huge corporation that doesn't pay taxes, and still pays us very little while also making labor cuts and overworking the hell out of most employees.

I’m really happy for you. As a jaded ex-partner, I think you may benefit from some insight; you’re likely not enjoying work *because* of Starbucks, but *despite* it. There’s not a corporation in the world that isn’t exploiting your dispensability and desperation— and Starbucks is no exception. You’re circumstances are those of a privilege, which is not an insult nor criticism of your character, but an observation that it helps to be mindful of. Continue to take advantage of your rewarding situation, but try to be aware of what aspects of your circumstances are really gratifying. Is it the work itself, or your coworkers? Is it the structure of the job, or the comfort of a stable living situation? If the partners you like end up leaving, or if your financial burden becomes unsustainable... will Starbucks change to accommodate you? From experience, the answer is no. Don’t get too attached to your employers, they will not reciprocate loyalty.

Also, STAY at your store if it’s one you like! A higher volume store with a slightly less thoughtful manager and new clientele is the difference between “feeling like home” and feeling like hell. I didn’t have a choice when I transferred, but it was still hugely regretful.

I love it. But I also don’t have to depend on it to make ends meet. My husband has a well-paying full time job with good benefits. So while the money I make at SB improves our overall budget, it’s not going to make or break us. My kids are also grown so I don’t have to worry about not making shifts or something due to kid issues or whatever.

Even though I’m older, I enjoy the physical aspect and thrive on working peak (I open primarily and will occasionally cover afternoons and get bored quickly). I enjoy all the roles and like all my coworkers. We have a good team. And 99% of our customer base is fine.

I recognize that this isn’t everyone’s experience and I don’t mean to invalidate those who don’t like their jobs. I just love mine.

I really enjoy working here for the most part. I love making coffee and most everyone in my team is really great. For me though the discontent is working so hard everyday for so little pay in a high rent area. An hour of my time is worth two venti Frappuccinos. The double standard of making customer connections but also being more like fast food than a coffee shop, especially in my store where we don’t have chairs and just one standing table. It can be frustrating a lot of the time but also it’s one of the better minimum wage jobs I’ve worked.

I'm a pretty new partner (since september) and the labor cuts are obviously hitting all of us very hard but this is still the best job I've had in a while. I'm lucky because my manager hires good people who get along. There is only one asshole instigator in the whole store. Everyone else is kind and understanding and really work as a team. The people really make the place. I also really enjoy the job itself and LOVE when I'm on bar. Everything else is meh but being on bar makes me feel so good.

Hey good for you man, I really think it’s awesome that you’ve found your calling here.

A little insight into those of us who find this work tough: I think for many of us, working for such a large corporation gives off the feeling that we are replaceable. We barely make enough money to support ourselves, get orders from this ever-looming corporate that we have never met, and usually have to deal with stressful shifts and customers.

But hey, if none of this applies to you and you’re smooth sailing making coffee for the rest of your life? I think that’s so fucking great.

I left the company, made a lot more money doing something else, and chose to come back this past July. I was promoted to shift a month ago, and despite my store and all it’s issues - I LOVE MY JOB. I am in a major city, we have ridiculous amounts of mobile orders and would have stickers from the top of the counter to the floor. When it’s like that I communicate and chat my customers up while I make different drinks. I call out the name of the drink I am working on and the one after that. Our store is also in a seriously rough part of the city. I love it.

I approached a customer who’s drink I had written a note on and she stopped me to tell me how much it meant to her that day because it was the 5 year anniversary of her son and husbands death. THAT - THISE moments in lifting up someone else, encouraging someone else, helping someone else grow. THAT is why I love my job. It is those moments I remember and hold on to when it is crazy. We are a team and even with the insanity of the choices being made at the top, we can make things wonderful by working and communicating as a team. For some, this job will nearly be a stepping stone to the next thing. Embrace whatever it is for you - and if you don’t move it, find something you do. :)

I feel like a lot of the frustration and venting with Starbucks on here is due to the partners who do or did love their jobs, such as myself, are feeling under appreciated by corporate and extremely overworked. My coworkers who are for the most part alright and pleasant to work with have been complete pains in the butt recently. Everyone is on edge. We usually have peak then a breather for stocking and catching up followed by another peak. Non stop all day for weeks now. It’s hard work. To hard for the pay. The venting is just to help confirm that’s it’s just not us and that something has changed recently. Happy hr every week during holiday season. What’s our incentive to work harder?

I love the atmosphere and the nice customers. The pay makes this a love-hate relationship. I want to try sticking out the bad days and move up but it seems that success in the company has no clear cut path

I work a really shit 40-hour week at my high paying job and you know what? I love working at Starbucks.

Sure I hate that we don’t make a living wage and I couldn’t leave my 40-hour workweek for this job.

Sure this job has absolutely jaded me to how awful people are in this world

But yes. I love this job. I’m good at this job. This job is easy for me to do and the people I work with are amazing and the community we’ve created is fantastic.

I think it depends of the group of partners and boss you have..