Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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customer connection pro-tip (from someone who hates being on window) (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by NoPaleontologist6981
if you're a partner who struggles to make small talk: stop asking them how they're doing, if they have any plans, where they're headed etc, and just start talking about yourself. (slightly narcissistic? maybe)
if you open up about yourself, they might do the same. it doesn't have to be heavy (obviously), but simple stuff like sharing something fun you did the past week, how you're not a morning person who got stuck with a morning shift (and you're very tired and need more caffeine, ha-ha) or sharing a funny / mildly embarrassing story.
i noticed that when i started treating customers like actual human beings, they let their guard down and were more open to talk to me, making customer connections much easier. 👍🏻
if you open up about yourself, they might do the same. it doesn't have to be heavy (obviously), but simple stuff like sharing something fun you did the past week, how you're not a morning person who got stuck with a morning shift (and you're very tired and need more caffeine, ha-ha) or sharing a funny / mildly embarrassing story.
i noticed that when i started treating customers like actual human beings, they let their guard down and were more open to talk to me, making customer connections much easier. 👍🏻
Blonde-RU2-Mastrena 18 points 1y ago
I struggle with needing to be honest. When they ask how I am I really want to tell the truth, but I am expected to lie. This is difficult for me. I don't like to be fake or lie. I think being disingenuine and fake is really supremely irritating and it's obvious to people.
NoPaleontologist6981 [OP] 9 points 1y ago
oh me too, i'm very honest and hate lying! i avoid just saying "good" when they ask me how i'm doing, and try to go for something that is more likely to evoke a reaction, like "hungry", "tired", "freezing cold, "super hot", etc. that way you're still telling the truth without making it too personal or uncomfortable.
Blonde-RU2-Mastrena 5 points 1y ago
No.
No.
No.
I want them to connect with me. I want to tell them how sad I am. That "I am emotionally exhausted and 500 people have just run through me and used me for coffee and like a human cash register. Nobody genuinely cares, I've had the same mononotonous conversation 500 times. I feel dirty and used and Starbucks says that if I don't make a connection with you emotionally I am going to get fired. I am covered in rotten milk that wont come out of my apron, they want me to lie to you and tell you everything is fine. I don't have any friends because I smell like rotten milk. I don't know how to get the smell out. They say they want me to lie to you, but I value you too much to lie. I am desperately trying to find some kind of authentic conversation. Something that requires I use my brain cells but alas I can simply do nothing this same monotonous routine over and over like I am some kind of robot. Can I have your number so we can connect more? Please? I need you."
Hows that?! 😁
Or we could try the overly attached girlfriend angle? That one could be fun.
https://youtu.be/Zg6iMDfOl9E
No.
No.
I want them to connect with me. I want to tell them how sad I am. That "I am emotionally exhausted and 500 people have just run through me and used me for coffee and like a human cash register. Nobody genuinely cares, I've had the same mononotonous conversation 500 times. I feel dirty and used and Starbucks says that if I don't make a connection with you emotionally I am going to get fired. I am covered in rotten milk that wont come out of my apron, they want me to lie to you and tell you everything is fine. I don't have any friends because I smell like rotten milk. I don't know how to get the smell out. They say they want me to lie to you, but I value you too much to lie. I am desperately trying to find some kind of authentic conversation. Something that requires I use my brain cells but alas I can simply do nothing this same monotonous routine over and over like I am some kind of robot. Can I have your number so we can connect more? Please? I need you."
Hows that?! 😁
Or we could try the overly attached girlfriend angle? That one could be fun.
https://youtu.be/Zg6iMDfOl9E
philosopher_cat_lady 7 points 1y ago
Exactly. Starbucks doesn't want us to actually connect with customers. They want us to pretend we are happy at our jobs and that Starbucks cares about its customers
NoPaleontologist6981 [OP] 7 points 1y ago
i'm gonna need some ketchup for the harsh browns that you're serving rn
Blonde-RU2-Mastrena 1 points 1y ago
Do you like the overly attached girlfriend one?
Me: Honeybear, I want to be in your socks so I can be with you every step of the way...😍
Customer: Why are you in my house? I thought we were meeting at Starbucks...
Me: I thought we should just go together?? 😍
(Overly attached girlfriend stalker stare)
Me: Honeybear, I want to be in your socks so I can be with you every step of the way...😍
Customer: Why are you in my house? I thought we were meeting at Starbucks...
Me: I thought we should just go together?? 😍
(Overly attached girlfriend stalker stare)
philosopher_cat_lady 2 points 1y ago
I get that, but I feel like being at work is such a weird, unnatural thing that I'm pretty comfortable faking being friendly and positive. Does that make sense? It's all weird and awkward to me, selling stuff, making coffee for strangers, hanging out with coworkers.
2166K 9 points 1y ago
I just make shit up lmao. Yes, for the most part, I’m honest about myself and I’m genuine when I’m asking about their day or how they’re doing… but when I said I was going to take my dog for a swim in the lake after my shift, or that I was thinking about buying a kayak, or that I totally love the song they’re playing in the car (which I’ve never actually heard), I’m absolutely bullshitting.
Sometimes I just say shut without even realizing it. When you spend 5 hours standing at a window talking to an endless stream of faces, you kind of go on auto-pilot, and before you know it, you’re talking about a life you don’t even live lmao. The first time I ever noticed this happening, I stopped dead in my tracks, looked at the customer, and said “actually that’s not even true, I don’t know why I just said that.” Fortunately it was one of my favorite regulars and she just burst out laughing, but now I don’t even bother correcting myself.
Sometimes I just say shut without even realizing it. When you spend 5 hours standing at a window talking to an endless stream of faces, you kind of go on auto-pilot, and before you know it, you’re talking about a life you don’t even live lmao. The first time I ever noticed this happening, I stopped dead in my tracks, looked at the customer, and said “actually that’s not even true, I don’t know why I just said that.” Fortunately it was one of my favorite regulars and she just burst out laughing, but now I don’t even bother correcting myself.
saddestgirl1995 1 points 1y ago
All of this!!! Also, what I do is as soon as they pull up before I tell them their total or do anything with their order I ask them how they're doing or what they're up to today which makes the whole thing a lot less transactional
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