Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Does anyone else have this problem? (i.redd.it)
submitted by VaporClad
EliNotEllie 13 points 3y ago
It’s only a problem because homelessness is a problem in the first place, at least for us.
Before covid we had a lot of homeless regulars who other wealthier regulars would pay for. They were always kind, courteous, and grateful. And I haven’t seen any of them since this shit went down, so I’m very worried.
These people deserve compassion and Starbucks policy means we were one of the few places they could get it.
Before covid we had a lot of homeless regulars who other wealthier regulars would pay for. They were always kind, courteous, and grateful. And I haven’t seen any of them since this shit went down, so I’m very worried.
These people deserve compassion and Starbucks policy means we were one of the few places they could get it.
spongepants19 7 points 3y ago
Yup unless they are breaking the rules why care if they sit in the cafe and drink water. This post is cruel imo
VaporClad [OP] 0 points 3y ago
It's not cruel. I'm simply poking fun at an issue that needs addressing. Homelessness is truly a pitiful condition and deserves sympathy and compassion. However, homelessness is a **choice**. Through my experience of talking with them and trying to help them, they **choose** to live that way. Yes, I said it. They choose to be that way. Only in rare and dire circumstances is it involuntary. They don't want to work. They don't want to get a job and be productive members of society. They would rather prey on the sympathies of the goodhearted, and continue to indulge themselves in a lifestyle of hard drugs and alcohol. Only after reality gut checks them do they decide to lift themselves out of their own condition, and I would say that's rare since their routine is habituated and reinforced daily. It's usually the same group of people too, making their rounds, knowing where they can get free food and monetary handouts. In my city, the homeless know where to go to get three square meals a day. They know where they can get a warm bed to sleep, if they can meet curfew. They know where they can get help, but they simply choose not to.
spongepants19 2 points 3y ago
You know that’s a lot of assumptions and it may be like that where you live. But right now my city is way too full for the homeless to get into shelters and find help. When they do they risk getting into fights. Yes there are plenty like that. But it’s bad to generalize and stereotype because you’re going to have a bad idea already in your mind when you meet them. It all depends on the person. I’ve worked hands on with the homeless and some really do need help others don’t. So yes for the jerks who are rude they suck. But don’t have a pre made judgement you’re carrying around
VaporClad [OP] -1 points 3y ago
Well perhaps Starbucks should include homelessness in their next bias training. I have volunteered at ProjectHost, which is a nonprofit organization in my city dedicated to feeding and helping the homeless. I am not without a sense of compassion. And, I know I am operating under assumptions, but as a shift supervisor, I have to be able to make decisions quickly and in the moment. I don't have the luxury of spending 20 or 30 minutes questioning my unconscious biases before I decide to help a customer or decide on how to deal with disruptive behavior.
VaporClad [OP] 1 points 3y ago
You're right, these people do deserve compassion, but we're not doing them any favors by enabling their condition by giving them money. I give them a free drip coffee when they come into the store or an ice water if they ask for it. But as a rule of thumb, I won't give them money. I will buy them food. I won't let them go hungry, but I won't give them money so they can go indulge themselves in intoxication on funds that I worked very hard for.
EliNotEllie 3 points 3y ago
I don’t give out money as a rule either. Unfortunately, even if they intend to buy food with it, it’s likely it’ll go to drugs instead. I have no problem buying food and drinks for them though. Supporting shelters does more.
melidew 0 points 3y ago
The homeless people we had at my store were mostly drug addicts. One guy would come in to beg people to buy him a frap and then yell at us all the time. A few of them liked to steal. Another one smelled really, REALLY bad and would ask for a trenta water, drink it, and then fill his cup with the milk we kept outside for reg customers. I do agree homelessness is a problem and these people need help. But omg the original poster probably had a horrible experience like I did. It’s different if they’re not bothering anyone and just siting down and chilling. But these guys were fckin nuts.
EliNotEllie 3 points 3y ago
Oh, I agree. Those people need to be kicked out and I know how lucky I am to not have that kind of behavior in my store. I just don’t like the generalization of “homeless = crazy” that this post (unintentionally?) implies.
VaporClad [OP] 1 points 3y ago
EliNotEllie, if you think about it though, mental illness plays a critical role in homelessness. It's a two way street between mental illness and poverty, and because of it, they are not able to function well in society.
EliNotEllie 3 points 3y ago
You are correct! There is definitely a correlation between the two. However, it is not a hard and fast rule- lots of homelessness has nothing to do with mental illness at all, and mental illness shouldn’t lead to homelessness in the first place; there should be systems in place to help people with diagnoses that make it difficult to function in society, but the lack of those systems is the problem.
melidew 1 points 3y ago
Valid. I wish it were possible to call people who could actually get these people help. But I’m p sure my boss would say that’s against Starbucks policy and if I’m being honest I wouldn’t know who to call without it being a whole rabbit hole of stuff to do besides my barista job. 🥴
shadowhunterartemis 3 points 3y ago
We have multiple homeless customers at my Starbucks, and they're all fine, except for one. Luckily we haven't seen him since the pandemic, but he truly is a nightmare. One time, he handed me a reusable cup full of roaches and asked me to put water in it. I dropped it and all the roaches ran out. I really hope we just keep our Lobby closed forever
VaporClad [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Omg. That's crazy. I would have asked that man to leave immediately for the sake of the health of the other customers.
beauty-for-ashes- 2 points 3y ago
Fwiw, I attended a seminar on homelessness, and the take-away was that there are essentially 4 reasons for homelessness: Mental illness, substance abuse, temporary circumstances, and personal choice. Perspectives about the person in front of you would have to begin with knowing their starting place. It’s impossible to have a global view of homelessness when the driving forces vary drastically. Complex problem. And hey, not preaching, just sharing something I learned. The premise causes me to see each homeless person as an individual. And boy can they be impossible to deal with - I’m not volunteering for that.
stonerscout455 2 points 3y ago
we had a guy get banned from the store for it. that, and harassing the female baristas🤣
VaporClad [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Yeah, we've had to call the police because a few of our homeless customers were hitting on underage girls. The girls would generally come to Starbucks after school, order a drink, and study. But this one homeless guy who goes by 'Storm' wouldn't let them study in peace. Some of the things he would say were cringeworthy. "Y'all have pretty teeth." or "You're not difficult to look at." Yikes...
stonerscout455 1 points 3y ago
BIG yikes. why do these people think it’s acceptable? we’re not bothering you, letting you stay as long as you need, and this is how you act?
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