I like to genuinely compliment customer's nail polish/jewelry/clothes. I think it's really disarming, and usually comes with a little story about who gave it to them or where they got it. Right now I was an especially lonely time, and I think everyone really appreciates being noticed.

I know bits of like 15 languages I have a good ear for them so when I hear accents or people speaking something obscure, I try to thank them in their language. It's fun for me to learn like this and it often opens doors for further conversation too. I do it with regional American accents too. Sometimes it leads to nothing and I don't pry but it's led to friendships, it's fun, it's interesting, and it improves the scores. It's actually how I met my girlfriend too!

I usually ask "any big plans for your [insert day of week]?" I find it gives people an opportunity to start the conversation on their own and only share what they're comfortable with :)

If they order something that is my personal favorite, I’ll say something along the lines of “oh I love the blaaa blaaa, have you tried it with blaa?” Or I think I’m good at recognizing people’s orders and their names

My coworker always asks if everyone and their family is doing okay. Our scores have gone up a bunch because she says it’s very genuine!

Offering bags and drink trays for orders if more than3 3 items always helped me :)

Depending on time of day you’re working “are you headed to work today (or on your way home from work)?”

If you know someone that comes in with their kids a lot “how is school going this year?” If you’re in a place where schools are doing e-learning ask how they’re doing with that.

“Any plans for the holidays?” If it’s someone young I’ll talk about how bad my parents are with technology and setting up video calls.

If I did anything interesting like calling friends on zoom, or whatever I’ll talk about that for a couple days to a week or so because it’s something I did recently.

With tip amounts I’ll wait until they hand me the cash for their order and then give them all their things and say “let me grab you that change” and it’s a toss up whether or not people want to wait for me to get their change.

If someone does give us a tip I’ll really play up “oh my gosh thank you! We all appreciate it!” Positive reinforcement, you know. “You’re so kind, thank you so much!”

Honesltly i stopped going to Starbucks because the supervisor was starting to stalk my ass talking shit about me taking pictures of my current girlfriend and the only thing i need is a coffee i stoped going to Starbucks because it became creepy and i was starting to Loos my cool almost went to police
But then i thought f*CK Starbucks and it's employees who just support her and this al started whit me ordering a coffee and she Being friendly i don't even need my name on the cup just give my coffee and say have Nice day....