Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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First day off training and told to solo drive thru during morning peak (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Altruistic_Victory26
Hi there!! I’m a new partner and I love my store and my coworkers, everyone has been super helpful since I’m just starting out. My trainer was great and I feel like she prepared me well for the job, but my first shift off of training was a morning peak and they tried to stick me on solo drive??? I’m not sure what they were thinking but I lasted about 15 minutes till I got overwhelmed and had to ask for help. They were pretty accommodating, but I felt bad interrupting the work flow since everyone seemed really intent on keeping drive times low. Has anyone else had this experience?? I feel like it’s partially my SM’s fault for scheduling my first shift for a morning peak. I was ready to break down after my shift I felt so awful with how things kept messing up. I was put on window after trying to solo and customers kept asking for different drinks, someone dropped their card out of their car, someone spilled their drink in their lap, and it just was a series of unfortunate events :(( luckily my shift was nice enough to put me on warming after my 10 and it started slowing down at that time. My other coworkers even told me afterwards that it wasn’t usually that rough, even during peak. If any more experienced partners have any advice for dealing with situations like that I’d be super appreciative!
djdementia 6 points 1y ago
Just focus on "smooth" motions. Say out loud what you are doing. Focus on the one task at a time and doing it smoothly.
"...that'll be $10... on your card... you can tap right on top... and here is your Venti Latte... and here is your coffee cake..."
"Ok... next up 3 tall pikes and a butter croissant... yup... croissant is in the oven... grab the pikes... they'll probably want a tray... maybe stir sticks..."
Focusing on the movement and reinforcing it helps build up muscle memory. Once you get muscle memory on all the small tasks (even things like putting a stopper in and a sleeve on) everything gets much easier.
"...that'll be $10... on your card... you can tap right on top... and here is your Venti Latte... and here is your coffee cake..."
"Ok... next up 3 tall pikes and a butter croissant... yup... croissant is in the oven... grab the pikes... they'll probably want a tray... maybe stir sticks..."
Focusing on the movement and reinforcing it helps build up muscle memory. Once you get muscle memory on all the small tasks (even things like putting a stopper in and a sleeve on) everything gets much easier.
yungfroggie 5 points 1y ago
hey, you are brand new. never feel like it is your fault for messing up at something you just learned. skills like solo drive come with time, and it's always better you ask for help and "disrupt the flow" over letting yourself flounder and actually disrupting the flow. next time you're put somewhere by yourself that you don't feel comfortable with, let someone know so they can accommodate you before things get too overwhelming in the first place. you got this and we all believe in you <3
JoseSwearvo 5 points 1y ago
You’re new, that’s okay. You aren’t going to be perfect, that’s human. All that matters is your attitude. As long as your partners aren’t toxic and you’re willing to learn and take **constructive** criticism/ *cOaChInG* then you will be able to grow and hone your skills. This job was not easy. It’s so easy to feel incapable when surrounded by senior baristas and constantly being told how you can improve. I believe in you. You can master your craft.
I faced plenty of passive aggressive behaviors due to my co-workers and supervisors being unable to separate their frustration from their intent on helping you improve (not to mention the push for numbers; coming from the corporate offices). Not every person you encounter has tact. It’s up to you to distinguish between the people who want to succeed but lack the tact and the miserable haters.
I used to be a partner. I won’t lie to you. Yes, this job can be draining. I have the utmost respect for the partner who rely on this job to pay their rent and put food in their mouths.
Unsolicited advice; leverage all the benefits this job offers to not work for this company. I.e:education, RSU’s, 401k, health, mental health, etc.
I faced plenty of passive aggressive behaviors due to my co-workers and supervisors being unable to separate their frustration from their intent on helping you improve (not to mention the push for numbers; coming from the corporate offices). Not every person you encounter has tact. It’s up to you to distinguish between the people who want to succeed but lack the tact and the miserable haters.
I used to be a partner. I won’t lie to you. Yes, this job can be draining. I have the utmost respect for the partner who rely on this job to pay their rent and put food in their mouths.
Unsolicited advice; leverage all the benefits this job offers to not work for this company. I.e:education, RSU’s, 401k, health, mental health, etc.
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