Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Grande-sized rant: Green Bean annoyed by other Green Bean (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by SpAcEcAt_94
Okay so I'm gonna preface this by saying it's my 3rd week at Starbucks - so I'm obviously not the fastest nor the best on bar.
While I'm a 3 week old Green Bean, my... lovely coworker is a 5 week old Green Bean. We were both hired for a new Starbucks (that just opened this week). Word hasn't gotten out yet that our Starbucks is now open so it's been super slow - due to this, I specifically asked if I could be on hot bar so I could practice without getting overwhelmed. Well this other Green Bean has been non-stop in my personal space (so much so that I've accidentally smacked her while moving around). She was originally assigned to the drive through window, then moved to cold bar cuz our ASM realized that she is not the greatest at customer connections (she just doesn't talk to customers other than their total). I was originally assigned cold bar then moved to window due to that issue. The ASM then realized that with only a few customers every 15 minutes that there was no reason to have 2 baristas on window (the other barista on window was super experienced and was used to being solo on drive through) so she asked me where I wanted to go - hence me being moved to hot bar.
Well the other Green Bean seemed to take offense to that cuz she kept hopping on hot bar every time I finished a drink and took it to where it needed to go (drive through, Cafe, or mobile). Then, since she was on hot bar, I would have to go and make a refresher or frappuccino or tea.
I get that she wants to prove herself also and that she wants bar time also... but literally all she needed to do was ask me if we could swap every few drinks so then we both got practice in while it's slow. Her being in my personal space also bothered me - I'm fine with it if an experienced barista is glancing over my shoulder just to make sure I'm doing things correctly... but she's ALSO new and I almost couldn't move without hitting her accidentally - there was no reason for her to be that close to me (plus her yawning is super long and she was yawning nonstop in my ear - I'm not even kidding, it's like almost cartoonish how loud it is). Then when she IS on bar... she moves so slowly... the other baristas started chanting "speed speed speed" at her as she took a solid 20 seconds to get a cold flat lid on a grande cup (it was the correct size). And then she will slowly walk drinks to where they're supposed to go (and at that point I'd hop right back on hot bar and start in on the next drink).
Another note: my barista trainer got the weirdest look on his face when he spotted her at hot bar and making
I just- I don't want to complain or seem like someone who is overdramatic... I'm also not sure if I'm overreacting or not though... what should I do? I work tomorrow (and I'm pretty sure she does also) and I'm dreading having to deal with her. I love Starbucks and don't plan on quitting (all my other coworkers are amazing).
TLDR: Green Bean (OP) being annoyed by another Green Bean who is constantly in OP's personal bubble; other Green Bean is also trying to take over hot bar as OP is trying to learn hot bar.
While I'm a 3 week old Green Bean, my... lovely coworker is a 5 week old Green Bean. We were both hired for a new Starbucks (that just opened this week). Word hasn't gotten out yet that our Starbucks is now open so it's been super slow - due to this, I specifically asked if I could be on hot bar so I could practice without getting overwhelmed. Well this other Green Bean has been non-stop in my personal space (so much so that I've accidentally smacked her while moving around). She was originally assigned to the drive through window, then moved to cold bar cuz our ASM realized that she is not the greatest at customer connections (she just doesn't talk to customers other than their total). I was originally assigned cold bar then moved to window due to that issue. The ASM then realized that with only a few customers every 15 minutes that there was no reason to have 2 baristas on window (the other barista on window was super experienced and was used to being solo on drive through) so she asked me where I wanted to go - hence me being moved to hot bar.
Well the other Green Bean seemed to take offense to that cuz she kept hopping on hot bar every time I finished a drink and took it to where it needed to go (drive through, Cafe, or mobile). Then, since she was on hot bar, I would have to go and make a refresher or frappuccino or tea.
I get that she wants to prove herself also and that she wants bar time also... but literally all she needed to do was ask me if we could swap every few drinks so then we both got practice in while it's slow. Her being in my personal space also bothered me - I'm fine with it if an experienced barista is glancing over my shoulder just to make sure I'm doing things correctly... but she's ALSO new and I almost couldn't move without hitting her accidentally - there was no reason for her to be that close to me (plus her yawning is super long and she was yawning nonstop in my ear - I'm not even kidding, it's like almost cartoonish how loud it is). Then when she IS on bar... she moves so slowly... the other baristas started chanting "speed speed speed" at her as she took a solid 20 seconds to get a cold flat lid on a grande cup (it was the correct size). And then she will slowly walk drinks to where they're supposed to go (and at that point I'd hop right back on hot bar and start in on the next drink).
Another note: my barista trainer got the weirdest look on his face when he spotted her at hot bar and making
I just- I don't want to complain or seem like someone who is overdramatic... I'm also not sure if I'm overreacting or not though... what should I do? I work tomorrow (and I'm pretty sure she does also) and I'm dreading having to deal with her. I love Starbucks and don't plan on quitting (all my other coworkers are amazing).
TLDR: Green Bean (OP) being annoyed by another Green Bean who is constantly in OP's personal bubble; other Green Bean is also trying to take over hot bar as OP is trying to learn hot bar.
jy_mee 1 points 2y ago
Honest, transparent communication is a really great tool for everyone. Always be mindful of your delivery and tone. Make sure you're clear in your expectations and you should be fine. Glad I could help! If you need further assistance dm me! Gotta watch out for each other.
SpAcEcAt_94 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yeah I totally get it! I know I need to tell her to back off. It's been bad enough that the other partners have definitely noticed. And thanks :)
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
[deleted]
jy_mee 1 points 2y ago
I'm not sure what the first comment said..
Maybe just gently let her know like, "hey can you give me some room please"
It's non-confrontational and let's her know she's in your space. Address it with your trainer and the SSV in charge. Someone has to tell her and maybe even remind her a few times. Does she do this to others as well?
Maybe just gently let her know like, "hey can you give me some room please"
It's non-confrontational and let's her know she's in your space. Address it with your trainer and the SSV in charge. Someone has to tell her and maybe even remind her a few times. Does she do this to others as well?
SpAcEcAt_94 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I'm not sure why it got deleted? I never removed it. Odd...
Anyway it was basically about how being a new hire and reporting something like that may look bad to a shift and up. Just due to fixing interpersonal relationships and whatnot was the gist of the other comment.
And I'm pretty sure she just does it to me. I'm just really weird with people being in my personal bubble. I'm fine with small children being in my bubble and coworkers when they're actively working and moving around (like how Starbucks normally is). It's just when they stand there is when I start getting uncomfortable. Especially when they yawn comically loud in your ear (like you can hear her yawn from across the store loud).
Anyway it was basically about how being a new hire and reporting something like that may look bad to a shift and up. Just due to fixing interpersonal relationships and whatnot was the gist of the other comment.
And I'm pretty sure she just does it to me. I'm just really weird with people being in my personal bubble. I'm fine with small children being in my bubble and coworkers when they're actively working and moving around (like how Starbucks normally is). It's just when they stand there is when I start getting uncomfortable. Especially when they yawn comically loud in your ear (like you can hear her yawn from across the store loud).
jy_mee 1 points 2y ago
Honestly if this was brought to my attention I would have a chat with that barista. I would still prefer you follow the see a problem, come up with a resolution, and act. If after you tell her once or maybe twice I would have a shift lead involved. Why? Because she is then not living Our Mission and Values. Remember
OUR VALUES
With our partners, our coffee and our customers at our core, we live these values:
*Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome. [Here you can talk about how she makes you feel uncomfortable when she hovers and doesn't let you complete your tasks. Her jumping on bar with you without prior notice is interrupting your workload and ability to serve customers quickly. ]
*Delivering our very best in all we do, holding ourselves accountable for results. [Again reiterate that your ability to complete your tasks are being derailed and jeopardized when she's in your space and you cannot freely move around as needed]
*Being present, connecting with transparency, dignity and respect. [This is where you bring up that you have spoken with her about giving you more space, how she reacted (as in did she listen or not, if you have to bring it up to them probably not) and that she continues to overstep and invading your personal space. This is not okay with you because it is uncomfortable. You feel that she's not listening to you and you'd at this point like their help and assistance.
The SSV on duty should be making notes about this though and there should be documentation or a chat coming up with her soon.Please know this is not okay, you shouldn't have to come to a shift fearful that you have to deal with something like this.
OUR VALUES
With our partners, our coffee and our customers at our core, we live these values:
*Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome. [Here you can talk about how she makes you feel uncomfortable when she hovers and doesn't let you complete your tasks. Her jumping on bar with you without prior notice is interrupting your workload and ability to serve customers quickly. ]
*Delivering our very best in all we do, holding ourselves accountable for results. [Again reiterate that your ability to complete your tasks are being derailed and jeopardized when she's in your space and you cannot freely move around as needed]
*Being present, connecting with transparency, dignity and respect. [This is where you bring up that you have spoken with her about giving you more space, how she reacted (as in did she listen or not, if you have to bring it up to them probably not) and that she continues to overstep and invading your personal space. This is not okay with you because it is uncomfortable. You feel that she's not listening to you and you'd at this point like their help and assistance.
The SSV on duty should be making notes about this though and there should be documentation or a chat coming up with her soon.Please know this is not okay, you shouldn't have to come to a shift fearful that you have to deal with something like this.
SpAcEcAt_94 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
That makes sense. Especially when you put it that way.
I'll definitely talk to her and see if she even realizes that she is invading my personal space. I get that she is trying to build up her own skills (which is totally fine!) But I still wish she would have talked to me before invading my space and before working on the bar that I was on.
I'll definitely talk to her and see if she even realizes that she is invading my personal space. I get that she is trying to build up her own skills (which is totally fine!) But I still wish she would have talked to me before invading my space and before working on the bar that I was on.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
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SpAcEcAt_94 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yeah I totally get that. I don't want to complain to anyone about her, especially not as a new hire. She's a good person... just apparently doesn't understand personal space and is constantly at my shoulder... even though the Starbucks is new and is massive (the store where I trained is half the size of the new one) so there's no reason for her to be right there next to me like how she is.
I'm also an extroverted introvert and hate conflict of any nature. Also with telling shifts or ASMs, I'm pretty sure they already know. One of them was right there and watching us so unless they were daydreaming... they saw it. The other baristas also saw it, especially my trainer (he was on the other bar and was the one who practically stopped working to stare at her with the world's most confused look on his face - and who turned to make eye contact with another experienced barista). So they already know...
I'm also an extroverted introvert and hate conflict of any nature. Also with telling shifts or ASMs, I'm pretty sure they already know. One of them was right there and watching us so unless they were daydreaming... they saw it. The other baristas also saw it, especially my trainer (he was on the other bar and was the one who practically stopped working to stare at her with the world's most confused look on his face - and who turned to make eye contact with another experienced barista). So they already know...
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