They don't tell us to specifically, but customer connections are a big deal and I've found it easiest to just be honest if I like something! I love complimenting people on their hair, nails, cool masks, all kinds of stuff. And although customer connections are pushed, I've never faked a compliment or lied for a connection so id take it as genuine:)

Yyyyeeesss . . . So, if you have the app and get a survey from Sbux please give your local store the highest score in all categories

Any time I complement someone It's s genuine complement.

We are encouraged to make customer connections, personally, I talked with my SM about how we could be doing them better. I made a personal goal and passed down to my baristas that we should all make one for the week or month. Mine this month is to make personal connections specifically with compliments! But only genuine ones.. maybe you were just rocking a cool ass shirt.

Hope it made your day, though!

They’re trying to make “customer connections” which is a big part of our job forced upon us.

It is encouraged, but like others here I am always honest with my compliments, I just actually say out loud that I like people's nails/shirt/steering wheel cover etc more often than I would outside of work.

Not every store, but I have heard some managers force people to.

We are instructed to compliment. But the easiest thing to do isjust vocalize what you already notice about someone.

We’re supposed to connect with the customer, but I personally only make genuine compliments, or I try to connect some other way!

Personally, I try to always compliment someone if I like something. It’s amazing to see how much it can brighten someone’s mood getting an unexpected compliment or bit of praise. A little kindness goes a long way.


Then again, some people are assholes and don’t deserve compliments. Lol

It also gives them something to do. The job can be a bit monotonous.

I hate forced customer connections. I really like when I go somewhere and they politely and professionally speak to me and then let me wait silently, and then give me my stuff and I say thank you and leave. I do not want to make a friend every single time i have to go buy something.

I like to compliment customers because it's the easiest way to make small talk. I only compliment someone if I really, really mean it though.

in the window we definitely have to keep customers engaged- but engaging customers with compliments is a personal choice. A lot of the times i look for something to compliment, but something that I genuinely like or want to know more about!

All about that CX connection. I’m sure most compliments are genuine though. 🙂

We’re encouraged to be nice and chatty with customers but I’m sure the compliments were still genuine, even if they might not have said it while not at work.

Plus I think Starbucks baristas might be more inclined to like flannel shirts than the general population

On the real, customer connections have become an insanely important score for how our stores are doing and management is requiring us to do everything possible to maintain high scores. Since my partners struggle to figure out how to do that I just tell them to compliment something from each customer. Like anything. If you remotely like something a customer is wearing or does, tell em "Hey, u/trs40, I really like your (insert something about you i kinda like, e.g. suspicion of starbucks' policies)! Hope you have a good rest of your day!".

Boom, easy.

My manager told us we are required to.

As a barista. I don’t ever give false ones. As others have said, were encouraged to talk to guests and make them feel welcome, but I usually like to just compliment on something worth complimenting. Everybody has something good about them always :)

at my store, my manager pushes us to pick out one thing each customer has on, be it a shirt, purse, glasses, etc to create “customer connections.” Unless your barista is phoning it in though most comment on stuff that actually catch their eye, so know that they aren’t lying! :)

edit: a word

They don’t tell us to compliment customers, if a barista is giving you a compliment it’s because they genuinely mean it

Nah. I do compliment on shift but they are rare!

we get chewed out to hell and back if we don't "connect with a customer" as well as being expected to get drinks out in a timely manner even when we're overflowing with orders.

I mean they ask for customer connection ...I personally try my best to actually compliment stuff I find nice I try not to lie ...although I can't talk for everyone

Customer connections are stressed at meetings. I usually just write on cups though with puns for my customers if I have extra time though. Stuff like You’re mug-nificent, or thank you a latte. Or You’re Frapp-ulous. Something to make the customers day and create the third place. Starbucks is supposed to be an escape from life so Customers Connections are essential. I do compliment, but only when I actually do mean it.

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Soooo my manager does straight up tell us to find something about the person to compliment, that being said, I never give out a compliment while I'm on DTR unless I genuinely mean it.

It’s all about being personal and making connections. I love complementing people on their outfits, dogs, clean car, masks. Anything that makes that person them in that moment. If they were worried it was to much they are reassured it looks great!

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yes we get paid to be nice to you. next time would you like a massage?

I am always honest with my compliments. Starbucks by no means forces anyone to do anything. Connecting with customers is part of being in the customer service industry. Yes, we do get scored and have competitions on who has the highest customer connection scores in the district, but it’s all in good fun.

Yeah, I had one kid gush over my makeup one day. I read magazines, and KNOW that my makeup is not on point. The first compliment was believable but when he went on and on, it was obvious he was full of shit,