I hate that shit too. Though I will say I don’t mind when they finish my fraps

Window partners do have to stay planted, though. That’s the only position that is always planted bc they need to hand out drinks and talk to customers while they’re waiting - which I get it hard and I don’t even do that, but that’s how that position was designed for the floor. Window partner just gets in the way if they move around. Especially at my store we had such a cramped space to move around and anytime the person at window would move to ask about a drink or food etc it was sooo annoying. DTW is the only position that I don’t care if they’re standing around doing nothing bc if they’re doing something and trying to be helpful they’re probably fucking things up.

I only ever hop in and help when the espresso is just sitting there.

Oh yeah I'm guilty of this :( Please don't hate me, I'm sorry. I guess I always frame it as I'm helping them move faster. I don't sequence drinks in the way you're supposed to, it's somewhat discordant bc it's really hard for me to follow the normal pattern, so I forget that other partners actually sequence in the way you're taught to. And we're not supposed to touch each others WIP drinks.

All of my new partners hate talking to people. They stand there staring 👁👁.

yeah i hate this shit too. especially when i’m literally taking the steaming pitcher off the handle and the window person is trying to take it from me. like go away!!!. we have a partner who is so bad about this. he’ll stand so close to you you’ll feel his breath on your neck. he’ll do the same to the food person. (won’t even tell you directly what he’s waiting on, either. just says “shaken espresso” as if i don’t have 12 slightly different SE in queue)

the only time i step in and finish a drink without asking is when i’ve asked for a drink 2-3 times and i’ve been waiting over 4 minutes for it (this is when it’s just a one or two drink order, if there’s more i wait to ask).

\*Bit of a rant, but bare with me lol\*

Experiencing the toxic side of this currently, unfortunately. While 100% valid, especially when about your sequencing, there's one partner I know that doesn't do that \*at all\*. They will pull one (1) ticket, make one (1) drink, and will not go on to the next ticket until the first is completely done. They will stay by hot bar and wait for the milk to steam before even pulling shots. I've seen them watch a simple frappuccino blend the entire process, and not go back to hot bar \*once\*. I hate when they're on drive bar, especially solo bar, because our times have gone to 20-30 minutes each and every time they're there. But despite all of that, I wouldn't have much of a problem if it wasn't for their attitude about it. I'll see us backed up, our line in the street and cafes/mobiles pouring in, and have asked them on several occasions if I could help (steam their milk, pour a shot, finish a drink, etc), and they've ALWAYS given me a nasty look and told me to back off. At one point, they had left a frap sitting for I kid you not 10 minutes, and it was needed at the window, and they GLARED at me when i went and finished it for them. It was a mocha frap! I literally just poured it in the cup and topped it with whip cream! Thankfully, most of our customers are sympathetic and I have no issue talking with them because it's comfortable, I love it and them. But what honestly else can I talk about for 30 minutes with a complete stranger who literally only ordered a simple latte?

Now on the other hand, if the lines are moving well, the place is well-staffed, and everyone's doing what they're supposed to do, there is literally no reason for Window to step in as a Barista. Restock things! Organize stuff! Take some orders! Make small talk! These things will not kill you, I promise. But there really is nothing more annoying than having a good flow, sequencing well, hell having four cups lined on the bar because you're doing things so good, only to watch Window leave their spot to go make a drink \*that was literally just ordered\*. Where are you going?? The customer just pulled up to the box, at least wait more than five fucking seconds, before jutting in for no reason at all?? And then they get angry at you when you ASK (not even demand, just ASK) for them to go back to where they're supposed to be in the first place?? The audacity of it all, honestly, is just ridiculous

i don’t help with hot bar drinks when im on window. usually we only have one bar person, so i help them out by letting them know im going to finish their cold bar drinks while they’re on hot bar. i never touch anyones sequenced drinks.

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