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Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind

Full History - 2021 - 06 - 07 - ID#nusi1g
19
1 Month green bean, really struggling to fit into place. (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Shige_
I genuinely went into this job with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement and as time has been going on I feel more and more worn down.

I'd really like for this to work, the location is really close to my house, Klarna + Headspace + Spotify is nice, and there's some really nice people I work with (plus I don't want to quit at only a month in, I don't want to be seen as a job hopper.)

But I have mad anxiety attacks before any shift, I feel so out of place, and I feel even more useless; this was fine at first as most of my co-workers would reassure me and have my back but as time moves on I'm treated more and more like an annoyance. I genuinely feel like I want to crawl into a hole and die when certain co-workers belittle me and whenever I'm put on front / DTR or DTO (I have aspergers and have issues with face to face communications, masks help but I still have a stutter as well as auditory processing issues which pisses customers off.)

I really feel defeated at this point, I've never had a job get me down before but this one has me looking a job listings on my 30...

Please tell me it gets better, I'm tired of crying on my drive home.
Outrageous_Factor914 12 points 2y ago
I’m honestly having the same issue, I’m 2 months in. My SM and shifts are very nice, however some co-workers are extremely rude and bitchy. I cried at my last shift because another partner yelled at me for something that wasn’t my fault. I was about to hand my 2 weeks today, but I do need the money. I’m kinda lost too lol, it sucks
Shige_ [OP] 4 points 2y ago
Sounds like we're in the exact same situation, one co-worker in particular has blown up on me multiple times already now and it feels like shit. I'm so sorry you're going through this as well :( I hope it gets better for us both...
YellowSphinx 6 points 2y ago
The thing about working at Starbucks is that you will most definitely get the hang of it with time. You will do great! If you want to that is. I remember when I first started as a green bean. It was stressful for me too. I was the only lady amongst a bunch of dudes. I really had to earn my spot there. But eventually I did it. And you will too.
Shige_ [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Thank you, I appreciate that- I like a lot of aspects of this job but there's enough to really make me question my sanity :( hope things get better and I can just work peacefully alongside the people who have issues with me...
YellowSphinx 2 points 2y ago
Who cares about them anyway, open dialogue goes a long way though. be straight forward with them. You’re doing your best. Your best can only get better with time. you should focus on being happy and content with what you do! I Hated working on drive or on front register. Working Bar is my jam. But when I had to I made the best of it. My favorite thing to do is to butt into everyone’s conversations using nothing but coffee puns. If I’m gonna be stuck somewhere all day I’m going to amuse myself somehow.
corncob999 5 points 2y ago
ugh i’m sorry you’re feeling like this 😭 this made me so sad because i know how you feel. i can’t offer much more advice than everyone else has already given in the comments, but i really hope things get better for you soon!! you deserve a positive work environment and if starbucks just isn’t working for you then don’t be afraid to leave! your mental health should always be a top priority, so don’t push yourself further than you can handle. take care of yourself and when in doubt just trust your intuition. good luck green bean ❤️
trbpanda 3 points 2y ago
i've worked at starbucks for almost 2 years now and honestly if you really enjoy the job, just not your store / coworkers, i'd recommend trying to transfer to another store. for me personally i would be absolutely unable to function in a toxic work environment like what you described in the post. i've worked at 3 different stores just because i've moved a few times and i can say for sure that my experience at each depended on the attitude from my coworkers.

at the same time though, don't hesitate to leave a toxic work environment if it negatively affects your life. don't let it suck you in!!! sometimes the longer you stay the easier it is to convince yourself that you can deal with it. but why should you? your life is only about you, so take care of yourself!
JHOOOOBI 2 points 2y ago
I hate to say this but this kind of “hazing” period is just an accepted and messed up part of a lot of Starbucks stores. I don’t like it and I don’t agree with it. I don’t even know why the attitude of let’s shun the green bean until they’ve lasted long enough to prove themselves. I’m so sorry this is your experience.

I’m going to give you some honest advice. If you’re having anxiety attacks, are depressed, feel defeated, and want to cry at the thought of going to work. If you have to give yourself pep talks in the car or on the drive to work, if you have to repeat “it’s just coffee, I won’t let anyone ruin my day.” As you walk into the store. Quit. This place is NOT worth your mental health, Spotify, Lyra, free coffee isn’t worth your mental health. Everything I just described was my day for months at Starbucks before I quit. Please message me if you need to talk. I’m always here to lend a shoulder and an ear. But seriously. Starbucks isn’t worth your mental health and happiness. I can’t stress it enough.
Swan97 2 points 2y ago
Is there any parts of the job you like more than others (food, customer support, etc.) because I would tell the shifts that you think these positions are better for you with your condition and hopefully they'll listen. I would also still try to get better at the jobs you don't like when it isn't as busy. I'm about 2 or 3 months in and I'm only just starting to feel like I know what I'm doing (even though I was never trained).
pinkconvertiblematd 1 points 2y ago
Are there any official rules about accessibility/accommodations that could make sure you get those positions most of the time/during peak times? (I'm also a green bean so idk lol)
Swan97 1 points 2y ago
I'm not sure if there's rules really but shifts usually try to take preferences into account
Magnhild94 2 points 2y ago
It genuinely took me 6 months to feel comfortable at work. I too thought of quitting. Now, coming up on a year, I actually enjoy my job and can more or less do every station well. I would give it a bit more time because I think it really takes a while to be comfortable at Starbucks. And if it doesn’t get better then you can say you have your best shot and move on to something that’s a better fit
C0ffeeCoffeeC0ffee 2 points 2y ago
Hey just wanted to say, in case you decide this job just isn't for you, I've had jobs not work out after a month or two for various different reasons and I just dont put those jobs on my resume. I've never had a problem.
Shige_ [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thank you so much, I really appreciate hearing that 💖. I will definitely re-evaluate in a month or two and see how I'm feeling, I really appreciate this advice!
C0ffeeCoffeeC0ffee 1 points 2y ago
😁👍🌻
rosesandthorns17 2 points 2y ago
i had the same issues. 3 months in now and it’s much better. i also have auditory processing issues and aspergers so i understand what you’re going through in that sense (i hate being window it makes me want to throw up). i still get nervous before a shift but once i’m there i feel much better now. I’d give it a few more months. If it’s still too much, it’s okay to move on to somewhere that better suits you
Shige_ [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thanks so much for you comment, it means so much to hear from someone else who has ASD and who also has a hard time with the job. I'm definitely gonna give it a month or two more and if it hasn't gotten better I'll definitely put my two weeks in.
rosesandthorns17 2 points 2y ago
I still think about finding a job that better suits my abilities sometimes. Hopefully we both figure something out, even if it’s not sbux. Proud of you regardless and i wish you the best !
Shige_ [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you so much, and you as well! 💖
roowhoo 1 points 2y ago
I felt like this at a month in too, like I was constantly missing jokes my coworkers were making and I thought they might’ve been laughing at me or something but I’ve been working a little more than two months now and I chat and joke with everyone. It took time but gradually I got to know mostly everybody I work with little by little and it’s nice. Also I’m not the newest partner anymore. Dealing with customers is still tough sometimes but having a good team helps a ton. I hope things work out for you though.
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