Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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window hell - grande rant (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by tigertub
I'm in my third week as a new barista at a combi drive through and cafe store and I keep getting put in the window. I have a lot of previous customer service experience as a bartender and sales associate for the Mouse so I can absolutely bring the magic, but I'm not really used to how........... not into it many of the customers are. We get a lot of perfectly friendly customers and some wonderful chatty regulars but a lot of people don't seem like they want to talk to me or they're more content being on their phones, so I've been leaving them alone.
And then I'm just.............. standing there. My SSV and other baristas keep seeing me in these rare moments and telling me to always be talking to the customer. I feel like I've....... tried? But I'm still being coached on this. I'm getting really frustrated because I feel like this isn't the norm, or I'm having small conversations with customers that they let peter out and then I don't know what to do. I feel awkward being new and not having an established connection with my coworkers or with the regulars. I've also had some health problems recently that have made me feel very isolated, and constantly being told that I am not trying hard enough to make human connections with customers is making me feel more so. When I'm told to be more chatty, I end up being more awkward as a result. I'm getting really frustrated that it's not being acknowledged that I am really trying and actually connecting with a lot of our customers. Just not *all* of them.
Can I talk to my SSV about this? I feel like such an asshole saying that I'm trying hard it's just that the customers don't want to talk to me. It feels like I'm complaining when I'm the one doing my job wrong somehow. Do I just have to suck it up and talk to myself in the window even though its painfully awkward and makes me feel like I'm just a doll that hands people coffee.......... Also what can I do when someone isn't chatting that isn't just standing there, staging drinks, or grabbing their food that they're waiting on, because I have been told not to do these things. Always Be Talking To The Customer
And then I'm just.............. standing there. My SSV and other baristas keep seeing me in these rare moments and telling me to always be talking to the customer. I feel like I've....... tried? But I'm still being coached on this. I'm getting really frustrated because I feel like this isn't the norm, or I'm having small conversations with customers that they let peter out and then I don't know what to do. I feel awkward being new and not having an established connection with my coworkers or with the regulars. I've also had some health problems recently that have made me feel very isolated, and constantly being told that I am not trying hard enough to make human connections with customers is making me feel more so. When I'm told to be more chatty, I end up being more awkward as a result. I'm getting really frustrated that it's not being acknowledged that I am really trying and actually connecting with a lot of our customers. Just not *all* of them.
Can I talk to my SSV about this? I feel like such an asshole saying that I'm trying hard it's just that the customers don't want to talk to me. It feels like I'm complaining when I'm the one doing my job wrong somehow. Do I just have to suck it up and talk to myself in the window even though its painfully awkward and makes me feel like I'm just a doll that hands people coffee.......... Also what can I do when someone isn't chatting that isn't just standing there, staging drinks, or grabbing their food that they're waiting on, because I have been told not to do these things. Always Be Talking To The Customer
FfierceLaw 2 points 2y ago
I look for some kind of relevant hook, like their credit card shows they are an alumni of a familiar university, or are they wearing something relating to a sports team, or anything remarkable about their cars, or their refresher matches their nails/sweater/jewelry, it’s a beautiful day, guess whose drink, is this one Dad’s drink? Wave at the kids in the back, get their dog’s name, say hi to the dog. See a shopping bag? Do they like that store? (People who like Aldi, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning really open up.) If they are listening to a podcast, on a phone call, having a conversation with a passenger, I take a break (and that’s when SSV sees me even though I’ve connected like crazy with the last 10 cars) but I remain available to them. This really shouldn’t go on too long, if it does it means the dt bar is struggling, needs assistance. Get the SSV on that. But I’m not comfortable using a pre programmed one-size-fits-all party ice breaker question kind of approach
tigertub [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Man... my issue is I'm doing all this but some people really just don't feel chatty or literally don't speak english. I do my best, I'm even having simple conversations in other languages that I know some of, but if it doesn't work out idk what to do with myself and because I'm new it seems like people only notice what I'm doing in those quiet moments my SSVs are acting like I'm not trying when I completely am. How's your day so far you staying out or heading home what's your dogs name how old is he what kind of car is that have you had the strawberry funnel cake frappuccino before where do you work ETC sometimes people just want their coffee and I'm sick of being treated like I'm doing my job wrong for not being able to hold a sustained conversation with every stranger I meet
riilss 1 points 2y ago
As a SSV, when i am deploying my play, i ask my window partner what question they are going to ask everyone today. We like to base the question around things outside everyone’s daily life. Like what’s their least fav food, go back to any decade, etc. and i think that helps with just a silly question that’s more than “how’s your day going”.
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