-Ask them about their day
-What their plans are for the day
-(If it’s early in the morning) If they’re on their way to work
-Ask where they work or what they work in
-Tell them that their drink sounds delicious
-Compliment something about them (their hair, their outfit, etc.)

A few things I’ll do when talking to customers

Outside off all these wonderful tips I'd see about maybe bringing it up to your SM that this is associated with being autistic if you feel comfortable? I'm not autistic but I'm trans and have anxiety/depression, which for me adds up to having limited energy for customer interaction, esp if I can tell my gender confuses or offends them. I also struggle with connecting while on bar and making drinks because my brain can only multitask so much, so I try to focus on small conversations with just "how are you's" for the bulk of interaction and some longer conversations for regulars. Also at the end of the day as long as you make your drinks right and are nice to the customers, you're good. Also, please know that it's okay to slowly build this skill up, because it \*is\* a skill to be able to do this. Starbucks expects a lot just for the regular aspects of our job, sometimes basic interactions is all I have left to give and that's enough.

I also struggle with natural conversation so I try to go about it in a chronological way and get the customer to talk as much as possible so I say as little. I ask them how their day has been so far then tell them the usual I’m doing great even if it’s a lie, then ask them where they’re going and if it’s a morning/mid it’s usually work so lead into what they do and pretend to not know what their job is and ask them about it. Most people like to talk about their jobs and responsibilities.

You can also compliment them on their hair, outfit, name. Maybe ask them where their outfit or name is from!

You can also recommend a similar drink of customization to them.

Hope this helps

ppl love feeling like their opinion matters: if i can’t seem to get much out of them or they have no plans for the day i can build on, i’ll be like “hey my family is trying to come up with a name for our new dog, got suggestions??” or saying i’m going to college soon and if they say they’re in college or whatever i’ll ask them for tips yk

If I know someone’s a regular, i exclude them from these asks, but if it’s the first time I’m seeing someone I like to ask them what they’re doing today - “are you in town for work - on your way to work” “oh are you about to go work out” depending on their attire. If I notice differences in their appearance over time of seeing them, I might ask “what have you been doing to lose that weight” “when did you get your haircut, it looks good!” “Oh nice tattoo, I’ve been thinking about getting x”. Easy ways to make small talk.

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