Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Biggest Ordering Pet Peeves? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Brilliant_List7381
I’ll go first. I hate whenever customers just go “i want a latte” and think that’s sufficient for ordering. Okay, do you want a hot latte? Do you want an iced latte? What size latte do you want? Like pls I cannot read your mind.
Second (and arguably worse) why do people feel the need to sir and ma’am everyone in the drive through? All you’re doing is creating a bad environment for trans folks. We also exist. Not all of us sound like the gender we identify with and we deserve to have our identities respected. Just stop saying it. It’s that simple.
Third- “I wanted this iced” at the window after I repeated back “you would like a (size) hot (drink)?”at the speaker and they said yes.
Fourth- throwing a fit over us not always having the right size straw? Or (for example) you have a venti sized drink, were given a small straw, and ask “Do you have a venti straw” like pls if I had one I would have given it to you. Arguably worse when it’s a cafe order and all of the size straws we’ve got are right in front of their face. Like pls I promise we’re not hiding venti straws from you.
Fifth- complaining about prices as if I can call up Kevin Johnson himself and tell him to drop them again. Stop complaining to workers about prices going up.
Feel free to add your own!
Second (and arguably worse) why do people feel the need to sir and ma’am everyone in the drive through? All you’re doing is creating a bad environment for trans folks. We also exist. Not all of us sound like the gender we identify with and we deserve to have our identities respected. Just stop saying it. It’s that simple.
Third- “I wanted this iced” at the window after I repeated back “you would like a (size) hot (drink)?”at the speaker and they said yes.
Fourth- throwing a fit over us not always having the right size straw? Or (for example) you have a venti sized drink, were given a small straw, and ask “Do you have a venti straw” like pls if I had one I would have given it to you. Arguably worse when it’s a cafe order and all of the size straws we’ve got are right in front of their face. Like pls I promise we’re not hiding venti straws from you.
Fifth- complaining about prices as if I can call up Kevin Johnson himself and tell him to drop them again. Stop complaining to workers about prices going up.
Feel free to add your own!
papieot 22 points 1y ago
(okay, this might be a overreaction but it really bothers me.) when someone tells me they want a latte, and then proceeds to tell me they want x amount of vanilla syrup…. sooo you want a vanilla latte.
also, when you say a nice greeting and they completely ignore you and go straight to, “can I have a-“
also, when you say a nice greeting and they completely ignore you and go straight to, “can I have a-“
CorCaroli11 18 points 1y ago
"I need a-..."
do you though? do you really need it?
do you though? do you really need it?
here_forthefun 8 points 1y ago
This. It’s a small thing but in my head I’ll always say “you don’t need this, you want it.” Nobody needs a pink drink
CorCaroli11 2 points 1y ago
only exception would be for a water. like ok yeah you might actually need that lmao
tangerine46x 15 points 1y ago
“ I want a iced brown sugar shaken espresso hot “
monochromaticcat 3 points 1y ago
LMAO I had someone ask for cold brew hot and I’m sure ive told that story on here before but I don’t care it’s still funny. can you make cold brew hot. how does someone let those words come out of their mouth and not realize. The name of the drink implies that it is brewed cold smh. I think that a lot of customers genuinely don’t know what the drinks are
mac7695 3 points 1y ago
Omg this annoys me so much.
overturned23 13 points 1y ago
“i want a latte”
hot or iced *drives off*
“venti frappuccino” *says that like there aren’t like 50 types of frappuccinos*
“mango dragon fruit lemonade” WHAT SIZE
“Large iced coffee light and sweet” Ma’am this isn’t dunkin
“Venti Pike with 4 cream and 4 sugars” THE CREAM IS IN A CARTON
hot or iced *drives off*
“venti frappuccino” *says that like there aren’t like 50 types of frappuccinos*
“mango dragon fruit lemonade” WHAT SIZE
“Large iced coffee light and sweet” Ma’am this isn’t dunkin
“Venti Pike with 4 cream and 4 sugars” THE CREAM IS IN A CARTON
Adeptness-Lucky 13 points 1y ago
Most drinks you can ring in and modify as they keep talking, but I VERY MUCH DISLIKE that Iced Coffee/Cold Brew and Iced Coffee/Cold Brew w/milk are two separate buttons. I understand the need for it, but the way the majority of people order they say “…with cream/soy/whole milk” last. I hate having to interrupt them right off the bat asking “are you going to want any cream or milk in that?”
I can get a feel for how long their drink order will be, so usually I can wait to ring it in until after their whole spiel. It they says “Venti iced coffee with three stevia, light ice, and cream…” I’ve got it. However, some people just go on and on and on.
That and “I’ll have a grande strawberry açaí refresher, extra ice in a venti cup, no strawberry inclusions, vanilla sweet cream foam…oh, and with lemonade.” Bah. I have to void the whole drink to ring it in correctly. I understand I could technically hit add lemonade and no water. But prefer to ring in the correct drink.
So those two scenarios get to me.
I can get a feel for how long their drink order will be, so usually I can wait to ring it in until after their whole spiel. It they says “Venti iced coffee with three stevia, light ice, and cream…” I’ve got it. However, some people just go on and on and on.
That and “I’ll have a grande strawberry açaí refresher, extra ice in a venti cup, no strawberry inclusions, vanilla sweet cream foam…oh, and with lemonade.” Bah. I have to void the whole drink to ring it in correctly. I understand I could technically hit add lemonade and no water. But prefer to ring in the correct drink.
So those two scenarios get to me.
interyx 8 points 1y ago
For the iced coffee thing there is literally no reason to use the "with milk" button. It charges exactly the same when you use the 1/2" 2% button and it's the same for inventory. I think the iced coffee with milk is just something that's leftover from a years old (decades old?) promotion when they were pushing milk in iced coffee. I never use it myself, and when people mobile order with it I literally miss putting the 2% in. Whoops!
The SAR thing though, completely agree.
The SAR thing though, completely agree.
overturned23 1 points 1y ago
I forgot that was a button
sayowats 3 points 1y ago
The worst thing to me with the SAR is strawberry açaí lemonade with no lemonade like ok so do you want that with water or do you want straight just the base?? And they’re like no SARL with no lemonade 💀💀💀💀💀
Top_Bend 12 points 1y ago
Had a guy come last week. These were his exact works:
“Can I get a Trenta pink, splash coconut milk size grande?” I’m like what?? I said did you want a trenta or a grande. He said I want the trenta pink in a grande. I just put it in as a grande pink drink. Sometimes I have energy to fight but I just gave in. He was happy with the drink so no harm done!
“Can I get a Trenta pink, splash coconut milk size grande?” I’m like what?? I said did you want a trenta or a grande. He said I want the trenta pink in a grande. I just put it in as a grande pink drink. Sometimes I have energy to fight but I just gave in. He was happy with the drink so no harm done!
Nawf713tx 12 points 1y ago
When they are trying to swipe the card multiple times aggressively right after they stated their order. Like if you don’t let me punch in your order and name first 😬 I swear. People have no patience.
Ellectre 11 points 1y ago
“did you want that hot or iced?” “thanks!” *proceeds to drive off* ok u better not ask us to remake the drink iced then :)
and i think the thing that has got me losing my mind lately is when people refer to PUMPS OF SYRUPS as SHOTS . like no. they are not shots. stop confusing me by saying you want 5 shots in a grande and then me double checking if they want that much espresso and then going “oh i meant vanilla” ????
and i think the thing that has got me losing my mind lately is when people refer to PUMPS OF SYRUPS as SHOTS . like no. they are not shots. stop confusing me by saying you want 5 shots in a grande and then me double checking if they want that much espresso and then going “oh i meant vanilla” ????
AnonymousAcc0nt 12 points 1y ago
People saying Squirts instead of pumps, I gag everytime someone says it.
Crowchick1731 11 points 1y ago
1. Not giving me a size. And when I ask what size they keep ordering WITHOUT THE SIZE
2. interrupting me telling them to have a great day to ask for a damn straw.
3. Just driving off when im trying to give them a total and then getting irritated when they don't know the total at the window.
2. interrupting me telling them to have a great day to ask for a damn straw.
3. Just driving off when im trying to give them a total and then getting irritated when they don't know the total at the window.
AnonymousAcc0nt 9 points 1y ago
When people ask me to name every syrup, latte drinks and/or frappuccino.
Atleast once a shift I'll have this conversation at the DT:
Them: I'll have a frappuccino!
Me: Of course which one?
Them: Just a regular frappuccino
Me: We have a wide selection of frappuccinos on our menu, can you please specify which one?
Them: What do you have?
Me: Well our most popular are blah blah blah
Them: Stop that's too much I just want a regular frappuccino 😡.
Atleast once a shift I'll have this conversation at the DT:
Them: I'll have a frappuccino!
Me: Of course which one?
Them: Just a regular frappuccino
Me: We have a wide selection of frappuccinos on our menu, can you please specify which one?
Them: What do you have?
Me: Well our most popular are blah blah blah
Them: Stop that's too much I just want a regular frappuccino 😡.
aee78 3 points 1y ago
We have people that do that, 90% of the time it's a coffee frappe.
Crowchick1731 3 points 1y ago
Regular = coffee maybe? I would just say Okay a coffee Frappuccino what size? Or whatever
mania2k18 9 points 1y ago
ppl who say they NEED a frappuccino but don't say what kind or what size and i have to play 21 questions with them to figure out wtf they want. then they get to the window and are like "this was supposed to be hot..."
snitchesendupinditch 7 points 1y ago
When people say all the modifications first. *I want a triple, blonde, soy, no foam, extra hot, no whip [the drink]*. I just stand there mentally screaming a triple, blonde, soy, no foam, extra hot, no whip what?! What is it, a latte, a flat white, a macchiato???
Shiroyu 7 points 1y ago
My least favorite thing is when someone orders a hot drink and they say everything about it, taking forever ("I'll have a large hot latte... Sugar free vanilla, 7 pumps, 3 shots, extra hot, with whipped cream...") By this point I've got the milk steaming and the shots pulling, and then they say "and I want it made with oatmilk!" Like come on, why did you say the milk last? Now I have to start over and throw out this 2% I steamed.
Random-Brunette 4 points 1y ago
This is also the problem with a million modifiers on mobile and they print in a stupid order. I'll have things started but reach the bottom of the sticker and realize I'm wrong somewhere.
ima_cry_babyy 3 points 1y ago
no but THIS also when they say blonde shots at the end after like i’m already pulling this quad shot they ordered in the beginning like broooo ??
menthol-drops 7 points 1y ago
“Can i have a tall?”
“A tall…. Latte?”
*literally side eyes me*
“A tall cappuccino!”
“A tall…. Latte?”
*literally side eyes me*
“A tall cappuccino!”
BlindHIllCorpse 6 points 1y ago
The Sir and Ma’am thing is just then trying to be respectful which already makes them better than most customers but I get how you feel
Brilliant_List7381 [OP] -1 points 1y ago
I understand that but like to me that’s one of the most disrespectful things you can do in a drive thru imo. Like we’re here to serve coffee, not get misgendered all day 😭 like I understand maybe some people still like to use it but generally it’s my very first nono in the drive thru
BlindHIllCorpse 3 points 1y ago
its not some, its most people. I'd try and let it roll off your back. I know it must be hard with gender dysmorphia hearing the wrong pronouns all day though. I know Starbucks has little pins for your apron that say your prefers pronouns.
Try and see it as them showing you some of the respect you deserve as a customer service employee. Its hard for them to know your pronouns when they cant see you at the ordering screen and are trying to just get you their order
Try and see it as them showing you some of the respect you deserve as a customer service employee. Its hard for them to know your pronouns when they cant see you at the ordering screen and are trying to just get you their order
Brilliant_List7381 [OP] 0 points 1y ago
That’s the thing, we shouldn’t have to do that. People should just have the sense to not gender random people just doing their jobs. I understand where you’re coming from with them “trying to show us respect”, but all they’re doing is disrespecting us more and making our work environment unsafe for us. That’s not respect in the slightest. Removing gendered language from your dialogue as a customer is what true respect is to the people serving you.
Also, unfortunately customers don’t care about the pins. I wear mine in a very noticeable place on my apron, as many other people do, and yet we’re still being misgendered left and right and people don’t apologize for it even after they see the pins, either. They blatantly ignore it. I’ve been misgendered many times with a big ol “he/him pronouns” pin right on the front of my apron, and never once has someone paid attention to it.
Also- that’s exactly my point. They don’t know our pronouns from just the speaker so they shouldn’t gender us at all. You never know when you’re speaking to a trans person so you simply shouldn’t say “ma’am” or “miss” and etc. when speaking to someone you don’t know or cannot see. Also- a lot of the times these customers who insist on using ma’am or sir every other word also react very negatively to being politely corrected- so what then? Do we just allow misgendering because it’s easier to just not say something? No, we continue to correct it and teach people why it’s important to not gender those that we do not know.
With all of that being said, I do appreciate you trying to be helpful, and giving the pronoun pin suggestion, but the thing is, it’s just not excusable and isn’t right to ask people to just deal with it and try to think of something that has such a bad affect on someone in a positive light.
Also, unfortunately customers don’t care about the pins. I wear mine in a very noticeable place on my apron, as many other people do, and yet we’re still being misgendered left and right and people don’t apologize for it even after they see the pins, either. They blatantly ignore it. I’ve been misgendered many times with a big ol “he/him pronouns” pin right on the front of my apron, and never once has someone paid attention to it.
Also- that’s exactly my point. They don’t know our pronouns from just the speaker so they shouldn’t gender us at all. You never know when you’re speaking to a trans person so you simply shouldn’t say “ma’am” or “miss” and etc. when speaking to someone you don’t know or cannot see. Also- a lot of the times these customers who insist on using ma’am or sir every other word also react very negatively to being politely corrected- so what then? Do we just allow misgendering because it’s easier to just not say something? No, we continue to correct it and teach people why it’s important to not gender those that we do not know.
With all of that being said, I do appreciate you trying to be helpful, and giving the pronoun pin suggestion, but the thing is, it’s just not excusable and isn’t right to ask people to just deal with it and try to think of something that has such a bad affect on someone in a positive light.
BlindHIllCorpse 0 points 1y ago
If you want your negative experience with your customer to go faster so their on there way and out of your life for the moment then just give them the drink instead of trying to change their mind on gender Politics at starbucks.
If you present as masculine you’re more likely to be gendered as that. They arnt intentionally trying to ruin your day. And if they react negatively to a polite correction fuck em. Isnt worth the sweat off your brow.
Sometimes the best way to deal with people is just wear your fake smile, take their money they spend every day on overpriced product that you get for free daily and take a moment to breath and wash away the negativity
If you present as masculine you’re more likely to be gendered as that. They arnt intentionally trying to ruin your day. And if they react negatively to a polite correction fuck em. Isnt worth the sweat off your brow.
Sometimes the best way to deal with people is just wear your fake smile, take their money they spend every day on overpriced product that you get for free daily and take a moment to breath and wash away the negativity
Random-Brunette 5 points 1y ago
Just today I noticed our drive through screen updated. It's easier to see, it shows prices for even the add ons, and there are images of the drink. I'm hoping against hope that it alleviates some problems. But a problem that it can't help with is the impatient, determined to be cranks that can't wait for me to push the 25 buttons their drink requires and will order too fast and/or interrupt themselves to "correct" me because the screen doesn't show exactly what they said.
"Hot mocha 2%, no whip" --this lady scolds us when 2% doesn't show on the sticker but she's regularly told 2% is the default.
"Iced shaken chocolate almond espresso but with oatmilk" --butts in immediately when the "almond" shows on the screen before I get to the oatmilk button, "I said oatmilk."
It also irks me when people order a skinny latte, then specify a dairy alternative.
"Hot mocha 2%, no whip" --this lady scolds us when 2% doesn't show on the sticker but she's regularly told 2% is the default.
"Iced shaken chocolate almond espresso but with oatmilk" --butts in immediately when the "almond" shows on the screen before I get to the oatmilk button, "I said oatmilk."
It also irks me when people order a skinny latte, then specify a dairy alternative.
mossybogandmushrooms 5 points 1y ago
When customers say: “give me a…” or “i need a…”
No Deb, I will not give you and you do not need.
No Deb, I will not give you and you do not need.
ThyKingToker 4 points 1y ago
“Yes I’ll take a grande venti hot iced macchiato “
Me : Okay… let’s unpack that
Me : Okay… let’s unpack that
paigemclachlan 4 points 1y ago
I know some people can’t help it, especially if English isn’t their first language, but when people start off with “can you give me/yeah give me/etc” like no right now I DON’T WANT TO GIVE U ANYTHING
interyx 4 points 1y ago
I view myself as a guide to the menu because it mostly doesn't exist. Most people on this Earth don't speak Starbucks and it's not worth the energy getting upset about people not ordering exactly the way you want them to.
> Medium latte please
Ok is that hot or iced? Any flavor?
> I want a white mocha
What size? Hot or iced? Done.
> I want a mocha
Ok, is it hot, iced or a frappuccino. What size?
Just make sure you know exactly what they're trying to order before they leave. Everyone makes different assumptions. I think drinks come hot by default. Someone else might think iced, obviously, of course. Who's to say who is right? Just figure it out and keep going. This job is hard enough without getting mad at every order. And believe me I've been there, it's taken a lot to calm down over the years.
> Medium latte please
Ok is that hot or iced? Any flavor?
> I want a white mocha
What size? Hot or iced? Done.
> I want a mocha
Ok, is it hot, iced or a frappuccino. What size?
Just make sure you know exactly what they're trying to order before they leave. Everyone makes different assumptions. I think drinks come hot by default. Someone else might think iced, obviously, of course. Who's to say who is right? Just figure it out and keep going. This job is hard enough without getting mad at every order. And believe me I've been there, it's taken a lot to calm down over the years.
BlindHIllCorpse 3 points 1y ago
Also my biggest annoyance are the people who want to refill their starbucks cards at the drivethru window
Brilliant_List7381 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
God yes😭😭 someone did this to me with wanting to transfer two balances from two cards and held up my drive through for like 6 minutes LOL
bekalh 3 points 1y ago
this woman comes through drive every. single. day. and says “can I get a venti vanilla cold foam brew” and even though every day we go, “okay, so you’d like a venti vanilla cold brew with vsccf?” she still says “cold foam brew” and it bothers us so much
Slow_Cow3848 3 points 1y ago
"I need a"...no you don't. I assure you
mod_mad 3 points 1y ago
There's a school by my location and we get a lot of kids who come and just shove their phone across the counter and say "I want the drink in this video". I'm sad to say it happens a little too often...
drpepperbong 3 points 1y ago
it’s small but “can i just get a-“ then proceeds to order a drink they pulled up from tiktok, i always expect just a vanilla latte. but no
11corkie11 3 points 1y ago
or “I’ll take a grande decaf” …….🙂 like, decaf what ? plus, nobody wants to make you a pour over in the drive through. just do a decaf americano instead
11corkie11 3 points 1y ago
omg when they order their drink like “can I have a grande, extra hot, no water, breve, 6 pump chai?” I WANT THE BASE OF THE DRINK BEFORE THE MODIFICATIONS!!!!
veryoriginal78 3 points 1y ago
We had a lady drive through yesterday. She asked for a MCCF. My coworker asked her what size she wants. She said “regular size.” My coworker said “okay, so is a grande okay then?” And this lady yelled “I just want a small!” And then acted all pissy at the window. Like what the fuck?
paigemclachlan 2 points 1y ago
Or when they ask you to list what you have, then try to order something you don’t have. Or when they ask what you would recommend and then they don’t take your recommendation - I try not to get too peeved at that one though because it may be made with something they can’t have so
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LegendOfJakelope -1 points 1y ago
The sir and ma'am thing!!!!!!! I had a really good team that HATED putting me on drive for this reason. One, because they had to listen to people misgender me all day, and two, because I inevitably got irritable around the 4th hour or so.
Lmao. How do we explain to them that the pronoun pins don't work for shit with customers
Lmao. How do we explain to them that the pronoun pins don't work for shit with customers
Brilliant_List7381 [OP] 0 points 1y ago
Idek😭 like to me it’s one of the most disrespectful things you can do in a drive thru,, I’m
Here to serve you coffee not get misgendered all day
Here to serve you coffee not get misgendered all day
LegendOfJakelope 0 points 1y ago
Thisssss
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