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Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind

Full History - 2021 - 06 - 03 - ID#nrnfqq
79
Does anyone else take NO SHIT from bitchy customers? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
YellowSphinx 29 points 2y ago
Oh yeah. I had a manager with no backbone for the longest time. So if a Karen came in he ran to the back and my coworkers sent me out to bat... imagine this. I’m working with a green bean. It’s her second day. And a man comes to register and immediately screams at her because Starbucks got rid of a seasonal drink that he LoVeS. Slams his hand down on the counter and overall just shit behavior. So I walk over. In turn slam my hand down on the counter and say “how dare you speak to my barista this way, seasonal items are not a new concept. So you will behave and order something else. Or you will behave and get out.” I had a line of customers out the door at this time as well. Idgaf
AndiRodriguezxxx 13 points 2y ago
Wow. I wouldve loved to see his face when you said that to him. I bet he was confused that you weren’t submissive. I love when people get mad about things we have no control over like seasonal drinks. Oh you’re mad there’s a shortage Karen? I dont give a shit. Tell me what you want so we can make it and get the fuck out of my face.
YellowSphinx 15 points 2y ago
Lol oh yeah he got really quiet and ordered a drink. Didn’t say anything afterward.

I have a short temper. People thinking they can talk shit to me doesn’t end well for them. I’ve had a woman demand a discount from me because I was out of certain things. This was due to the fact that she came in 2 minutes before I closed though. so I told her she could just leave cause it was free. and because i closed in two minutes I didn’t feel like dealing with her. she ordered a hot tea.
gay_robots 23 points 2y ago
God I wish I could retaliate like that sometimes. But between social anxiety, working at a licensed starbucks, and shitty managers, that’s a one-way ticket to being fired for me!
AndiRodriguezxxx 7 points 2y ago
I’m sorry :( I know not every starbucks is created equal. Like I said I have a very supportive team, and I’m really lucky they’re understanding..
gay_robots 4 points 2y ago
Thinking about it now, we’re so desperate for employees I could probably do whatever the hell I want lol. I’m glad you have such a supportive team!
Cooch_2119 17 points 2y ago
Yup and I get talked to about it by shifts , honestly would rather get sent home/ fired then tolerate irrationally disrespectful people with sticks up their ass with a smile on my face. I’m the same in terms of anger I’ll just not be there anymore.
AndiRodriguezxxx 5 points 2y ago
Seriously. I’ve talked to my store manager already about my AM and BPD and she told me her grandma was similar, and that she understands. She’s told me stories about her just leaving because it got to be too much for her during shifts. I’m so blessed to have managers who are human and compassionate. Not some micro-managing, robo-cop, business degree having ass loser, as a manager. No one likes to have shitty managers, you need to support your team esp when it comes to things like being disrespected by customers. I would rather get fired then ever have someone make me feel like I’m their bitch. ONE TIME I was solo on DTR/DTO and as I’m taking an order, the bitch at the window saw her drink and was calling for my attention. She was like “Excuse me! Is that my drink?” And I was in disbelief that she SEES I’m busy taking an order, but thinks she’s to important that I have to stop what I’m doing to answer a dumb ass question. So I was like “yeah.” And she’s like “can I get it?” Lmaoooooo

I took my time taking the next customers order, and the next order AND the next order before I even got to the window to give her her drink. 😂

Yeah I’m petty.
Interesting-Start408 1 points 2y ago
so you have borderline too, or is it Bipolar? i have both and this job brings out the worst of both. i have to try very very hard to remain composed, but sometimes it slips out. and there’s one mgr who doesn’t like it but the store mgr works with me. living on a wing and a prayer 🙏🏻
[deleted] [OP] 7 points 2y ago
[deleted]
sukikov 7 points 2y ago
I feel exactly as you do OP! It’s as if I typed this out myself. Very similar approach that we share for better or worse anyway.
AndrewtheRey 6 points 2y ago
I sure didn’t. The amount of people talking down to me as a barista was insane and my mental health has improved greatly since I’ve quit last year
AndiRodriguezxxx 1 points 2y ago
I’m sorry :( you know anytime I’ve ever had an issue with a drink or food Item that I’ve ordered, I politely mention it. Just because mistakes happen, it’s no ones fault. People can’t grasp that concept.
AndrewtheRey 2 points 2y ago
Yeah, it really isn’t that hard to be nice. I really don’t miss being griped at because I accidentally said “Vanilla” instead of “SkInNy VaNiLlA” whatever that is
mrbubblegxm 5 points 2y ago
i don’t take shit from customers either. i hate the starbucks boot lickers who say oh i’m so sorry let me fix that for you 🥺🥺🥺🥺. it’s coffee at the end of the day. if you yell at me for that i’ll point out your mistakes and tell you to not treat another human being like shit.
darling2 5 points 2y ago
I hear my coworkers go “omg I’m SO sorry, let me remake that for you!” to disgruntled (read: rude) customers and I’m like... I could not. Not ever, dude. If I’m not sorry, I’m not apologizing. It’s that simple 🥰 It’s a fucking beverage and it’s a fucking 5 minute wait at the ABSOLUTE MOST. If a customer is polite and needs a remake I will absolutely apologize and get it to them on the fly! But if anyone uses me or my coworkers as their emotional punching bag they WILL receive a loving glare and they WILL be ignored ❤️ “Anything else? No? K.” and I’m onto the next thing lmao like have an awful day and spill on yourself binch
AndiRodriguezxxx 4 points 2y ago
This is my exact attitude lol. <3 Im the nicest when customers are nice, but when they’re mean I’m even more mean but in a passive way of course. I love when I’m on bar and obviously I’m busy af and people decide thats the perfect time to ask me a question. The worst is when people are watching you make their drinks and they’re telling you what to do like it’s subway. LUCKILY I’ve never been told what to do but I’ve seen it happen to my coworkers and I’m like “damn, y’all are too nice.” Lol I would literally ignore them, or ask them if they wanna make the drink themself. You’re at starbucks bitch.
C0ffeeCoffeeC0ffee 4 points 2y ago
This is the way. If you let people walk all over you they WILL take advantage
hlyfckitsyu 4 points 2y ago
My team likes to comment on how much of a different person I become when I talk to customers vs. them. I don't make small talk, I'm too awkward around strangers, so the procedure is, "what can i get you, anything else, your name, thanks have a great day".

I def have a temper, but I think this job has made me feel like I have to be on the defense at all times bc you never know when a customer decides to get ugly. I hate it when people are mean to green beans and to my soft spoken coworkers in general. It's always unwarranted.
AMarie-MCMXCI 3 points 2y ago
Most of the time I'm nice to everyone, buy yesterday a lady came in for her mobile order of five drinks and some food items. She told me her name and how many drinks she had because she put in two orders. So, I hand her the tray of four with the pastries, using both hands because my arm was sore from the vaccine. For some reason she felt the need to say again, "I had five drinks" so I spat back, "and I only have two hands." And then she was like "it's no problem." Um, clearly it is a problem since you felt the need to bring it up? Just shut up maybe?

Also the people who expect all of their drinks at once when you're the only one on bar, "um, I had more of those" yeah, and I'm making them as fast as I can. Do you think I just push a button and poof, magic?
SpAcEcAt_94 3 points 2y ago
A similar thing to this happened with my manager a few days ago! The customer ordered a something (forget what) with like 10 Splenda, and then 7 something else (maybe classic). The partner on DTO/DTR was hired after me (so also a green bean) and was being yelled at by the customer prior to the manager stepping in cuz our headsets are always wacky (usually not an issue as long as you apologize to the customer and explain that you need to turn your headset up, etc). But yeah, customer got thisclose to getting banned.

Also the reason why solo on drive thru was cuz the other partner who was assigned there was on lunch so the manager made herself available to help on window.
SpAcEcAt_94 7 points 2y ago
Also, I'm not that way at Starbucks yet (want to be established first) but at my old retail job I was DEFINITELY the one who was like "make me cry, I *dare* you". It was always funny cuz it was in a college town so we always had a college group of employees so I'd legitimately nudge 6+ ft male 18 year old employees out of my way who were being yelled at by customers and take over 😂 it was hilarious according to my old manager seeing a 5'4" female employee suddenly yeet herself in between an irate customer and a new (usually taller than me) new employee. 🤣
AndiRodriguezxxx 6 points 2y ago
My store mostly has one person on DTO/DTR unless it’s super busy, and it can get quite hectic and overwhelming esp for a green bean. People act like we’re their slaves so we should be degraded. I’m sorry Karen, I don’t go into your miserable office job and give you a hard time, hop off my nuts and drink your coffee bitch. I totally feel that in making yourself established lol, you can’t start off anywhere being like “fuck you,” unless you just don’t give one lol 😂
SpAcEcAt_94 2 points 2y ago
Yeah I've solo-ed on DTO/DTR before. It definitely is hectic but I feel like I'm slowly getting better at being solo. I definitely prefer bar over soloing though.

And for sure! I worked at my old retail job for over four years - I quit due to a combination of no promotion and low pay ($7.25/hr since it was actually on-campus - it was a college textbook/retail store) but my old manager understood, he actually showed up at my Starbucks and was excited to see me (he didn't realize I worked there). Starbucks I've only worked at for a month so it'll take time for me to feel out what's okay and what's not with customers. LoL
dnims24 2 points 2y ago
Yeah I have a drink order that’s commonly mistaken for something else and when the barista on bar makes it wrong (like she did today) I still feel bad about returning it. It’s a non-coffee drink but the common mistake is a cold brew and I’m not a fan of the taste. I’ll always apologize sooo much to the barista bc I’m sure they have terrible customers in this neighborhood. I feel like there are a ton of entitled people where I am and I try my hardest not to be one. As a former sbux barista (number 254) I totally get how it can be with some people.
hannabrenae 1 points 2y ago
I have BPD as well! it really does get hard dealing with customers. i had a tough customer that i got into an argument with and all of my coworkers were like “i definitely would’ve handled that differently” or “i just don’t let them get to me” but i literally can’t help it... luckily my SSV totally understood how i get the way i do because they have BPD as well. it almost happened again but i either TRY to resort to just grabbing my SM or being petty by not saying a word back to them
Chemical-Less 1 points 2y ago
I absolutely hate that Starbucks demands we be doormats for people to essentially abuse us from across the counter. Very glad to see someone else feels the same way! Whenever I dare to stand up to a mean ass customer my dm/manager clocked in at the time will generally berate tf out of me for it.... I'm not gonna let myself get yelled at over stupid shit, idc if I'm at work or not
LatterRooster 1 points 2y ago
I had a lady ask to “see👀“ the coffee cake after she ordered and drove to the window and said “ hi, I’m reeeeallly picky!!! Like really picky. can I see the coffee cake? Because I’m so picky?”
I was confused by her request? So I asked, “you’d like to look at it?” She replied “yeah!!!- I don’t like everything I order! -!? And I DONT wanna use MY StARS!!!!! “
Okay lady. Move on... wow.
This was after I was just threatened by a mentally ill/or drugged woman for my life because her water was warm..... she asked for no ice.?!? She said I was trying to kill her with warm water
Kazak451 1 points 2y ago
As I’ve been here longer and customers have gotten worse, I’ve definitely lost the patience I had with them when I first started. If a customer gives me attitude over the headset, I have no problem being short yet polite with them back. I’m not going out of my way to be nice to customers who don’t even treat me like a person, and I’m not bending over backwards to reward their behavior anymore. If my manager has a problem with this, she can fire me 🤷‍♀️
Badgerbarista 1 points 2y ago
I feel the exact same way. I come to work with smiles and pep for my team and customers. HOWEVER, talk down to me, and the witch comes out. I don’t get personal but I don’t let snide comments go. I usually say something along the lines of….. “ you seem to be having a bad day”. That usually stops them in their tracks. If it continues, a “ be nice “ inevitably comes flying out of my mouth.
I’m very surprised I have not gotten let go yet.
glossysejin 1 points 2y ago
Im like teetering on the edge of snapping like that but if i push everything down might as well add my anger to that🥲
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