Bring your karma
Join the waitlist today
HUMBLECAT.ORG

Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind

Full History - 2020 - 10 - 31 - ID#jle899
8
Advice on new ppl, I’m scared for the future of my store (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by katia_0828
Ik it been a while since I was a green bean and I’m trying to be empathetic and considerate to the new baristas my SM just hired but they’re kinda slow. Like I’m not expecting them to be super fast or anything but they waste time on things that don’t need to be done for example mixing the sugars in the cup after the milk has steamed, putting the sugars in the cup and not the shaker, after teaching beverage sequencing dismisses what I just taught them and proceeds to do the slowest pour I’ve ever seen putting milk in a cup. I don’t want to be rude and say they’re slow so I try to encourage and show them how I do it but it’s also annoying that no one officially is training them like... when asked my sm said “we’re all training them” so even tho me and all the shifts are barista trainers none of them are getting paid for it. Also me and another shift we’re checking off thing we taught them and they just straight up forget, like.. some stuff we have to tell them is common sense too like, putting the ice handle on the ice machine and them scoop ice or putting ice in the fraps. It’s just frustrating because it’s been 2 weeks and I try to help them and show them how to make drinks but they keep putting them on register and I’m like.. they need to learn to make drinks some time.. I guess all I’m asking is how do you get a green bean to pick up the pace and retain information because this specific green bean (cause I’ve trained others with no problem) to be more focused. Also early she said “Ik I suck” but like if you say that you’ll never learn cause you already think negatively so your minds already made up how you’re going to do. You know? Idk sorry this was all just one big ramble I apologize. Open to all advice ty
cascadebabe 8 points 2y ago
I felt this way about a green bean and what I was interpreting as her not caring, no hustle, being slow, was actually her freaking out inside. When I calmly talked to her about picking up the pace, she kinda broke down and cried and I realized oh wow, I was reading that all wrong. This won't solve anything but try to compliment others around her on their speed so that she can hear, and when she replicates that eventually give a LOT of positive feedback. They probably already feel like everyone hates them and thinks they're stupid.,, which seems to be one of the stages of being a new hire
ginaginabeana 5 points 2y ago
This job feels really easy to us now that we’ve worked here for a while, but it’s important to remember how much they have to learn in such a short amount of time. In the past, I think baristas had three weeks to train and learn the job. Now baristas are given quick run-downs and are immediately thrown onto the floor. The best thing you can do is compliment them when they’re doing something good, and be encouraging if they’re struggling. Make sure you’re always compassionate with them, even if it’s frustrating!!
[deleted] 4 points 2y ago
[deleted]
ImpressiveVariation0 3 points 2y ago
I would just ask them how they learn best and if they’re constantly forgetting things I would have little cheat sheets for them on how to make drinks and everything. When I’m training new baristas I like to show them the importance and how easy it is to just swirl things in a cup by doing an iced white mocha since they can see how if you don’t swirl it the drink doesn’t mix. As for them getting faster I think it’s just something that needs time and will hopefully come the better they get at making the drinks, good luck to you and your whole team and I hope it gets better!
howdudo 2 points 2y ago
2 weeks is not enough time. Do they show up on time? Are they eager to work? Are they eager to learn? Do they want to be there? If yes they will be killing it soon. Itll all start to click.

If they love the job start telling them that you guys let go of the weakest links. Encourage them to study the drinks at home. Encourage them to photograph the pos screens to memorize all the button locations. If you like them tell them you like them and dont want to see them fired. If you don't like them, and they hate the job, then god have mercy, just let them go.
[deleted] 2 points 2y ago
How do I learn drinks faster? I’m the slow green bean like the one mentioned in the post. I’ve been studying for a week and I still don’t have them all memorized and I forget stuff.

Yesterday was my first day on the floor and they had to have someone help me on drive through bc I was so slow on POS that I couldn’t do both. I also kept messing up drinks on POS and the person helping me had to correct me or even take the order themselves if it went by too fast. My SM said I was a fast learner but i think she’s just saying that bc I was upset and could feel my other partners getting frustrated when I messed stuff up. I’m planning on taking pics of POS on my second shift today, but my SM wants to train me on bar. I’m really sad and frustrated bc I’m definitely letting down my team like the green bean in the post. My SM really likes me but I’m really messing things up for my fellow partners and I hate that I’m already on their bad sides on my first day.

Do you have any tips for learning stuff faster or do I just need to commit more time to it? I’m also in school and my SM has me scheduled for 20+ hours weekly so I’m having a hard time finding time to exercise, do school, and practice drinks. Thank you so much!
ginaginabeana 2 points 2y ago
Don’t worry! The best way to get better at this job is to show up and practice every shift. It took me a month to be decent in drive, and it took three months for me to be productive on bar. Some people learn faster than others, especially if they have barista/fast food experience already. All that matters is that you show up with a positive attitude:)
Eboy77888797788 1 points 2y ago
Okay, I would say start with cold beverage,
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
This is my worst fear I’m so sorry
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc   •   HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.