Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
↑
32
↓
CA baristas, what are your thoughts on the new single use item law? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by bmm0528
So soon California is implementing a new single use law that will be enforced like the covid card checks with random audits by people pretending to be customers.. This is a California thing, not a Starbucks thing. The law pretty much says that we can't give or offer, unless THEY ask, or have single use items out for customers to grab (disposable utensils, handle bags, sleeves, straws, trays, etc.) My store has started implementing this to get used to it. I HATE IT. It seems like every customer thinks we are idiots for not putting a sleeve on, or not putting a knife or spoon for their cream cheese or oatmeal. Its making things so hard and I'm tired of explaining the law so I don't look incompetent. I understand the concept of reducing waste, but I'm already over burning my hands on teas and having everyone and their mother (literally) annoyed with me because they have to ask for another thing when they can't even remember if they want their drink hot or iced..😒
FLMFGGT 11 points 1y ago
I’m from Chicago and we have the same thing, it’s just such an extra burden for us because virtually the same amount of people want silverware/straw/napkins/etc but now it’s out of our control when those get handed out and of course the custies are So Impatient about it when they come asking like it’s on us for not putting a knife with their bagel in the first place!!
bmm0528 [OP] 4 points 1y ago
Yes! If it was a Starbucks thing I'd say fuck it and just put one in anyway, but I don't want to get my store in trouble.. 😭😭
BabyH1ppo 6 points 1y ago
My district in Wisconsin all do this. You get used to it, but a lot of customers will like... Reach over whatever obstacle you have in the way. I've had customers come behind the counter to grab a straw.. Like.. What? Other than that it's not really that bad after 7 months of doings this
bmm0528 [OP] 8 points 1y ago
So I get to use my working with kids voice again?? "EXCUSE ME! Do you need something? Use your words please!"
aspiringgrandpa 3 points 1y ago
i miss working with kids because they at least knew how to listen and understand consequences. customers, on the other hand, do not.
bmm0528 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Yes! Customer service has reinforced "the customer is always right" waaaaaay too much. Because they are usually wrong and then rude to top off the whole experience..
BabyH1ppo 1 points 1y ago
Yep!
Responsible_Snow7109 2 points 1y ago
Lol before reading your comment, I just commented on here about how we have Stoppers behind the register screens and there is a small wall type of thing that stands between the back of the registers and the customer and I've seen a customer literally reach their arm over that little wall just to grab a stopper in front of us. And you know those red bags of sanitizer wipes that we use to wipe down Cafe tables and stuff? Well we keep that bag right under one of our register monitors and it's hard to read but I literally saw this one lady come into the store and go towards the registers cuz she was going to place an order and then she literally just reached around and grabbed the bag and took a sanitizer wipe out of it. Like what is that was Clorox wipes or something not meant specifically for hands? But she just grabbed a sanitizer my back and she just started wiping her entire hands with it
sonic_giggles08 2 points 1y ago
Also, side note, those wipes do specifically say not to be used hands 😂
Responsible_Snow7109 2 points 1y ago
Lmao thats her own damn fault then for ✨helping herself✨ to it
BabyH1ppo 2 points 1y ago
Our customers are something else
Responsible_Snow7109 2 points 1y ago
Lmao i am beyond myself when shit like that happens
monsteralvr1 5 points 1y ago
We haven’t fully started it yet but we won’t give straws for no frap drinks unless they ask (mostly bc all the straws are now behind the bar which frustrates customers) and it’s SO ANNOYING. Especially during peak when you’re already so busy and then you gotta go give someone a straw every minute. Like pls I rly do get the intention behind it but it makes our jobs so much more difficult 😭😭. Our store is also set up in a way where the handoff is all the way down from the ovens / where we keep the utensils so it’s gonna create such a hassle unless we end up storing a bunch more at handoff (which I’ll prob just end up doing). It just hasn’t been thought out at all really at my store / we haven’t talked about it at all and I know it’s just gonna get more angry / annoyed customers. IMHO this law isn’t rly gonna make a difference, people are just gonna ask for it anyway 😭
Brgnbo 3 points 1y ago
I hate it so much. I hate when the customers look at me like I’m stupid or get angry when it’s literally out of our hands.
bmm0528 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
YES. And I'm tired of explaining it. We have signage posted saying it's a new CA law and that they have to ask.. Yet they are still leaning over our makeshift barriers to try and grab stuff themselves or too busy telling other people waiting for drinks how we "forgot" to give them something they obviously need.. Does this also include napkins? Are we going to have to take the last remaining thing on the condiment bar away and just make a trash station?
Brgnbo 3 points 1y ago
People still get pissy about not having cream out. The utensils and straws are just ridiculous because it’s not saving anything. AND it distracts the person on cafe bar bc they have to stop and grab something every time a customer comes by.
The amount of people crowding the pick up area when I was on cafe bar was so stupid. They’re all waiting for a stopper, a fork, a straw, sleeve, and whatever else. It’s too chaotic.
The amount of people crowding the pick up area when I was on cafe bar was so stupid. They’re all waiting for a stopper, a fork, a straw, sleeve, and whatever else. It’s too chaotic.
bmm0528 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Its probably gonna make the customer connections go down too.. I don't really care about them but corporate and managers seem to.
Brgnbo 2 points 1y ago
I stopped caring about it. We don’t get bonuses based on it or get rewarded. We just get told to do better.
Terry_Jean 2 points 1y ago
I’m dreading this🤦🏻♀️ can you imagine being handed an oatmeal and no spoon?!?
QuotetheOrca 1 points 1y ago
SAVE THE PLANET
Responsible_Snow7109 1 points 1y ago
People will reach around the hardest to grab items and they will just grab at themselves as I've seen a bunch of times 🙄
We have the stoppers/splash guards near the handle of area but we also have them placed behind the register screen but there's a small wall behind the registers and I've seen a customer just reach over the little platform wall thing and reach behind the register and grab a stopper.
We have the stoppers/splash guards near the handle of area but we also have them placed behind the register screen but there's a small wall behind the registers and I've seen a customer just reach over the little platform wall thing and reach behind the register and grab a stopper.
AcanthisittaLazy2681 1 points 1y ago
for hot drinks could you still double cup so you don’t burn your hand?
bmm0528 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Yea, but I feel like double cupping is more "waste" than a sleeve. I'm just going to sleeve drinks I can't comfortably carry to the handoff and if anyone says anything I'll just tell them it's too hot to carry and I'm not willing to burn myself over it. They can't get mad at me protecting myself..? I hope haha.
cats_with_tentacles 1 points 1y ago
We do this in WA already. The largeat impact it had was on cafe cold drink orders, as we aren't supposed to give them a lid anymore - they are put out for customers to grab instead. This leads to a LOT of thrown away lids. Way more than before the law went into effect. People won't just read the labels for the lids and grab whateber is closest.
bmm0528 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Lids too?????? Is that a choice your store made or part of what they are telling you to do?
cats_with_tentacles 1 points 1y ago
Part of the law that got passed
bmm0528 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I really hope it's not part of the one here..😭
gingergal-n-dog 1 points 1y ago
Instead of burning your hands on tea and americanos, could you do like sbux does with reusable cups and prep the drink in a cup inside of a ceramic mug to protect your hands? ... not in CA just an LA barista ✌🏻
bmm0528 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I mean yea.. its just an extra step to go get one. Our store is set up where they are on the other side of an L shape from the bars. I've still been putting a sleeve on if I can't carry it to the handoff comfortably. If they end up saying anything I'm just gonna give that answer.. I'm not gonna potentially burn myself or a coworker because of this.
Also, do you know what size mug is best so the cup inside doesn't wiggle around once full? That's another fear. I'm clumsy enough as is without a balancing act with a hot drink😂
Also, do you know what size mug is best so the cup inside doesn't wiggle around once full? That's another fear. I'm clumsy enough as is without a balancing act with a hot drink😂
gingergal-n-dog 1 points 1y ago
Not sure. I would start with a tall. I liked using that size to pass out drinks in dt back when there was a pandemic... if you find a size you like just keep the mug by your work station. Surely we aren't the only partners with sensitive hands.
Jaded_Fun_7133 1 points 1y ago
How does this work regarding Frappuccino’s and straws??
bmm0528 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
You have to ask for a straw😂😭
Jaded_Fun_7133 1 points 1y ago
Haha omgggg I have accidentally handed some out forgetting a straw/thinking I already gave them one and they look at me like I’m dumb (which in that case I am) but like I couldn’t imagine having to not give them one. :( sorry friend!
bmm0528 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
It's ok **insert Louise eye twitch**
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.