Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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18
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Vent :( (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by throwaway4678976543
So i'm pretty new at being a shift. I am mainly an opener. I try to get what I am able to get done for the closers (typically ovens cleaned, floors, midsafe count, 18hr pull, breaks, restock/preps, maybe even starting on cold brew if i'm in a really good spot) but it seems like it's just never enough for one of the closers. I feel a pit in my stomach whenever I see that I'm handing off my shift to him. No matter how much I get done, he comes in angry, is short with me, complains about what didn't get done, and cuts me off when I speak to him. He's apparently talked shit about me to baristas and says that I don't get Anything done for him, but I really really try. Today was particularly rough, peak was a nightmare, and we were nonstop busy up until like 11am. I did my best to delegate cleaning and restocking tasks to my team while I did the 18hr pull and they were able to get so much done and I told them I was proud of them. When I connected with the closer, he said "was it really THAT busy to explain this mess?" I told him yes, we were understaffed for peak, and we were just now able to catch our breath after breaks were caught up with. I really didn't see that much of a mess anyway other than some prepwork that was being done by a barista. It's difficult to explain to someone just how crazy morning peak is when they have NEVER worked it before. I feel so defeated and I sometimes wonder if my manager made a mistake promoting me :(
Glizzysforrizzy 15 points 1y ago
Honestly as a shift myself you are doing more than enough as an opener /mid i swear night crew shifts are always unhappy for some reason. I have the same problem they pick at everything we do and then leave early ? I wouldn’t sweat it as long as your manager and other shifts aren’t being that way it sounds like it’s his problem only.
piratedashel 9 points 1y ago
I have this advice I give to every shift: assume everyone is doing the best they can. It sounds like you are! If that’s not good enough for them, perhaps they need to hear my advice, too. Everybody needs to stop this morning vs night shit. They’re different roles. It takes all kind to keep the Starbucks world turning.
Rest easy, don’t take it personally. It sounds like you’re doing everything you can. Keep encouraging them, but in the next shift meeting, make sure you talk generally about keeping the “team” together. Work together as a team, care for each other, and give each other some grace.
Rest easy, don’t take it personally. It sounds like you’re doing everything you can. Keep encouraging them, but in the next shift meeting, make sure you talk generally about keeping the “team” together. Work together as a team, care for each other, and give each other some grace.
Decent-Ad3066 4 points 1y ago
Sounds like you're doing a good job. Don't worry about what he thinks
NerdyGuyBrowsing 3 points 1y ago
As a mid/closing Shift, sounds like you're doing GREAT. The only thing I actually expect from my openers is for the 18 hour pull to be done, morning trash run, breaks caught up, and hopefully cold brew dealt with for the day. Obviously keep up with basic cleaning/stocking tasks as needed, but your closers will have to redo a lot of that towards the end of the night ANYWAY.
I would literally never expect the ovens to be cleaned or the floors to be swept/mopped. That's the kind of thing best done when it starts to slow down for the evening. Same with midday safe count or fridge temps unless you're working well into the afternoon.
Don't stress too much! You'll get more comfortable once you're in the role for a few months. The fact that you're trying to help out your closing crew is more than a lot of shifts can say, so it sounds like your manager made a great choice in promoting you!
I would literally never expect the ovens to be cleaned or the floors to be swept/mopped. That's the kind of thing best done when it starts to slow down for the evening. Same with midday safe count or fridge temps unless you're working well into the afternoon.
Don't stress too much! You'll get more comfortable once you're in the role for a few months. The fact that you're trying to help out your closing crew is more than a lot of shifts can say, so it sounds like your manager made a great choice in promoting you!
angryairheadaries 3 points 1y ago
as someone who was a closer and became an opener, i know that before i started opening and running peaks i had no clue how truly busy it was. if this shift hasn’t worked mornings, they probably are in the same boat. either way tho, i’d try to connect with them and ask them what you could do to make the transition better, or what you’re missing that they would prefer be done over other things. if they give you attitude/unreasonable expectations, talk to your sm about it. i had to once and it helped a lot — i think a lot of the time we get stuck in our ways and think that someone isn’t doing everything they could be, but whenever we talk/experience it firsthand, we realize our expectations are too high. also as a closer, i would say the work you do would be well enough for me, especially if you’re missing people/shorthanded. don’t let them get to you! you can only do so much.
like i said, if connecting with them seems impossible, go higher. your sm is there to support you as much as you support them!
like i said, if connecting with them seems impossible, go higher. your sm is there to support you as much as you support them!
aee78 3 points 1y ago
Sounds more like a them problem then a you problem. Some people can't be pleased.
Do you know how to look at the hourly sales breakdown? We use to have a shift like that, but when you're like well I had 70+ half hours and 4 partners and had to run breaks. Do you have an idea what I could have done better, usually shuts them up.
Do you have the auto drain cold brew toddies?? We usually make our cold brews before peak. Takes stress off the midday, We're usually fairly slow the 1st hour.
Do you know how to look at the hourly sales breakdown? We use to have a shift like that, but when you're like well I had 70+ half hours and 4 partners and had to run breaks. Do you have an idea what I could have done better, usually shuts them up.
Do you have the auto drain cold brew toddies?? We usually make our cold brews before peak. Takes stress off the midday, We're usually fairly slow the 1st hour.
Chub-boat 3 points 1y ago
"Blame the other shift" isn't a good strategy because everyone has shifts that are crazy, whether it's too many/too fussy customers, too few partners, a series of unfortunate incidents that eat up time, or more likely a combination of all of those things. The best stance to take is to assume the best intention & that the other shift is working hard to get things done. If this other shift were actually giving you good feedback about things he wanted prioritized before his shift that would be one thing but it sounds like he's just being rude. I'm sorry 😔
It sounds like you're doing great, as long as you're doing what you can each shift that's all that can be asked of you. One of the downsides of closing is having to pick up any slack from previous shifts, and to be sure that isn't fun, but you aren't in the wrong here 💙
It sounds like you're doing great, as long as you're doing what you can each shift that's all that can be asked of you. One of the downsides of closing is having to pick up any slack from previous shifts, and to be sure that isn't fun, but you aren't in the wrong here 💙
Reasonable_Event6468 2 points 1y ago
Tbh, as someone who has worked numerous openings and closings (probably more closes than opens) you are doing just fine. I would just make sure the team knows to keep cold bar stocked/cleaned and once you pass the baton, regardless of what this guy says, you’re doing amazing. If he can’t keep up, that’s his deal. If he wants to communicate what he wants done before every close shift then he can talk to a store manager and see what they say, as far as what’s possible. Maybe he needs to work an open shift to see what it’s like. Keep up the good work and do your best to make the next shift better <3
ashley0927 2 points 1y ago
I’ve realized closers and openers always butt heads on what needs to get done. It’s happening at my store as well. I feel like openers and closers should switch shifts a few times to experience what the other has to deal with. Openers have to deal with peak rush, while closers have to deal with a lot of prep, break down, and cleaning. It’s definitely VERY different.
official_koda_ 1 points 1y ago
I’ve been here over two years and there is always this opener/closer tension regardless of if you get EVERYTHING perfect. The tension will always be there.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
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cpv_91 1 points 1y ago
Sounds like you're going above and beyond in many respects. Just realize that there are just some people you can't make happy. From what you describe your SM made a great decision promoting you.
Just keep doing what you're doing but don't burn yourself out. Try to set reasonable goals for yourself. Maybe have a sit down with your SM and talk about what her expectations are for your shifts. That way you know if you are meeting them, it will go a long way to alleviating this extra stress you're feeling.
As for this 'mean' SSV by all accounts it sounds like it's his problem not yours. Don't let his negativity bring you down. Remember you get back what you put out. Run positive shifts and your baristas will thank you for them. ❤️ Keep up the good work.
Just keep doing what you're doing but don't burn yourself out. Try to set reasonable goals for yourself. Maybe have a sit down with your SM and talk about what her expectations are for your shifts. That way you know if you are meeting them, it will go a long way to alleviating this extra stress you're feeling.
As for this 'mean' SSV by all accounts it sounds like it's his problem not yours. Don't let his negativity bring you down. Remember you get back what you put out. Run positive shifts and your baristas will thank you for them. ❤️ Keep up the good work.
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