Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Grande rant, iced with a straw (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by ElijahLordoftheWoods
I know the majority of y’all don’t do this, but please y’all, DO NOT STRAW SHAME!!! I’m on medical leave and I literally cannot use my hand rn, I can’t lift a cup to my face, I need a straw. A couple days ago I drove thru another store and I was chatting with the partner at the window and her attitude completely changed when I asked for a straw. The conversation literally died and I could see the sour face behind her mask. Like I get that a lot of people who ask for straws don’t ‘need’ them, but there’s dozens of valid reasons to need a straw, and it’s not your job as a barista to decide if they ‘deserve it’ or ‘really need it.’ Initially I was embarrassed, but in the end it made me upset because I’m out here trying to live my best life as a disabled person and I got judged for asking for something that makes it easier. I’m legally entitled to access things that make life easier for me, don’t try to make me feel bad for actually using those things.
Again, the majority of partners don’t do it, and I greatly appreciate that. I’m calling out those who do tho. I just want to be able to drink my latte and I literally can’t without a straw right now.
Edit: grammatical error corrected
Again, the majority of partners don’t do it, and I greatly appreciate that. I’m calling out those who do tho. I just want to be able to drink my latte and I literally can’t without a straw right now.
Edit: grammatical error corrected
-zombie-squirrel 28 points 1y ago
Real talk. Also on medical leave and fixing to have hand surgery and luckily my partners are ok with handing out straws but I always feel guilty
ElijahLordoftheWoods [OP] 6 points 1y ago
I hope your surgery goes well! Make sure to double check if the meds they give you interfere with your existing ones, they screwed up and gave me one I can’t take at the same time as my sleep aid, luckily it’s safe to stagger them in my case.
-zombie-squirrel 3 points 1y ago
Oh good point!! I’m super nervous tbh . I’ve got one this week and then another before end of month . But I’d do anything to get my arm back rn
DoktorCockTopus 17 points 1y ago
Do people really care this much about straws?
ElijahLordoftheWoods [OP] 8 points 1y ago
Are you referring to me or the person who judged me for asking for a straw?
DoktorCockTopus 10 points 1y ago
Referring to anyone who has a problem with other people using straws
ElijahLordoftheWoods [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Ah, I was like 75% sure that’s what you meant, but I am on strong pain meds from surgery still so I was like ‘am I just reading this wrong.’ Thank you for clarifying
StormTheParade 7 points 1y ago
Yes, thanks to likely-lobbied propaganda in mainstream media.
That's a little dramatised, with less sass - it's because the media has been stating that straws are a huge source of marine pollution, so the world is currently on a massive anti-straw kick. In actuality, one of the largest contributors to plastics pollution in the ocean is fishing, because of netting, line, and hooks left behind.
I guess it's a bit easier to focus on issues like straws...little more concrete since they're an everyday object. Unless you're in the field, you're probably not handing deep sea fishing nets
That's a little dramatised, with less sass - it's because the media has been stating that straws are a huge source of marine pollution, so the world is currently on a massive anti-straw kick. In actuality, one of the largest contributors to plastics pollution in the ocean is fishing, because of netting, line, and hooks left behind.
I guess it's a bit easier to focus on issues like straws...little more concrete since they're an everyday object. Unless you're in the field, you're probably not handing deep sea fishing nets
sherlock----75 5 points 1y ago
No they just like to make it seem like they do.
YoSpillTheTeaSis 12 points 1y ago
I’ve hollered “I swear I love the turtles, I just don’t have any other option!” As I drove away after experiencing something similar lol
ElijahLordoftheWoods [OP] 7 points 1y ago
I like that one, I’ve had customers say similar. I try to assure people that it’s not a big deal. Like yeah I don’t really want to be putting that into the environment, but I’ve got to weigh my own ability to function with saving the turtles, ya know?
clumsycalico 5 points 1y ago
Today I had a lady tell me to keep the fork for her egg bites to save plastic, but she did want a straw though 😂 she seemed like she felt weird about it but I couldn’t care less what people want as long as they communicate it to me
justkeepswimmingswim 9 points 1y ago
I like straws because it’s hard to get as much liquid without one and I hate when I basically get a mouthful of ice or ice is blocking the liquid from coming out. I also have a hard time with drinking iced drinks because of teeth sensitivity.
It used to annoy me when customers asked, mostly because it was inconvenient, but I can’t get mad if I’m one of them lolz! Also, they’re not doing it just to be annoying, they’re doing it to make their lives easier. It doesn’t affect my day that much giving a customer a straw so I reeled myself in and realized it’s not a big deal. Most pollution comes from large corporations anyway and they’re the ones needing to change production. 🤷🏻♀️
It used to annoy me when customers asked, mostly because it was inconvenient, but I can’t get mad if I’m one of them lolz! Also, they’re not doing it just to be annoying, they’re doing it to make their lives easier. It doesn’t affect my day that much giving a customer a straw so I reeled myself in and realized it’s not a big deal. Most pollution comes from large corporations anyway and they’re the ones needing to change production. 🤷🏻♀️
Zombinabelle 8 points 1y ago
I'm not a barista but I saw this pop onto the front page. You're not alone.
Many years ago I had a chunk of lymph node system in the side of my neck removed for cancer. If I wear my hair down, I look "normal " and you can't see the scar but it's difficult to tip my neck and/or swallow. I usually carry a reusable straw (or 5) but am germ paranoid after the pandemic started so sometimes my washing schedule doesn't match up with what's in the car or my bag.
Hang in there!
Many years ago I had a chunk of lymph node system in the side of my neck removed for cancer. If I wear my hair down, I look "normal " and you can't see the scar but it's difficult to tip my neck and/or swallow. I usually carry a reusable straw (or 5) but am germ paranoid after the pandemic started so sometimes my washing schedule doesn't match up with what's in the car or my bag.
Hang in there!
Real-Excitement-1929 7 points 1y ago
Listen I'm all about saving the planet, I really try to emphasize the importance of reducing waste when I can. But I feel like we're a bit past straw shaming at this point lmao I've been meaning to buy more sanitary reusable straws (I only have plastic ones and they get kinda gross) but I just haven't gotten around to it, and as stupid as it is, sometimes my nice frappe with a stupid straw really helps bc it's convenient and I'm sad and just wanna sip my coffee on my drive home
brokenleftjoycon 6 points 1y ago
I literally don’t understand how people target straws but ignore literally every other part of Starbucks and waste. Like there was a post on here (?) a few weeks ago about the environmental impact of almond milk and it’s just like… that’s your biggest issue with Starbucks? Straws (and almond milk) are the least of your worries.
The only time I don’t really understand straws (outside of medical need) are when there’s cold foam on a drink, but I’m not drinking it, so it’s none of my business.
The only time I don’t really understand straws (outside of medical need) are when there’s cold foam on a drink, but I’m not drinking it, so it’s none of my business.
[deleted] 5 points 1y ago
[deleted]
b0gw1tch 3 points 1y ago
My thoughts are always 1) lots of people need straws, 2) industrial fishing waste is the real problem with ocean pollution, and 3) every sbux throws away so much non-recyclable plastic every day it's insane to care about straws anyway. I like to hope most baristas think along similar lines
allaunira 2 points 1y ago
Wait...this is an issue? I live in a pretty progressive city, we have a ban on plastic bags and most places use compostable to go stuff,etc. But straws have never come into question, and if I go through Starbucks I get a straw without having to ask.
BluejayHefty202 2 points 1y ago
I've had carpal tunnel surgery on both of my hands this year. There are days even after having pt that hold even a fork is difficult. I also drive ride-share on my off time and a straw I can put under my mask and drink instead of having to take off my mask entirely. Ignore that barista. The only time I would pull weird faces was when they had hot drinks because our straws clearly say do not put in hot drinks lol but again people have medical issues that are none of my business so if they want a straw I give them the straw. I did go on Amazon and buy a bunch of silicone straws though because they are better and not that expensive for me.
evilprozac79 2 points 1y ago
I'm going to be honest, I feel the opposite. Anytime someone starts bitching/whining about the paper straws, I have to fight so hard not to roll my eyes. If you wanna use a straw, go ahead and use a straw! If you don't, that's okay too!
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