DISCLAIMER I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE SHADY ANTIUNION BOTS TRYING TO INFILTRATE AND GASLIGHT. For reference my numbers are #321-----. I got hired last fall (I actually applied literally two weeks after my 16th birthday lmao). My manager is one of the best I have had, he is an absolutely amazing professional and leader but he also knows how to let loose and have fun. My store isn't toxic and crazy like some others that i've seen on this sub (which btw I am sending as many good vibes and prayers and great things towards all you guys ☺️) and is staffed with a great crew of people who genuinely care about each other and aren't like crazy and powertrippy and etc. Our DM is an idk how many year partner (one of our unfortunately recently departed partners worked as a shift in their location when they were an SM) and is so so sweet but also knows how to get his stuff done and do a damn good job of it. He is so nice, he genuinely tries to actively learn all of the partners' names in his district. he genuinely cares and it is so fun whenever he comes in (and he does quite frequently), and he's definitely not one of those DMs who wants to sit in their office 250+ miles away drinking their extra dry cappuccinos and managing their little coffee shops in another state. I have partners who support me and are so beneficial to my experience and have given me adults to look up to that aren't crazy (i live in a very red area lmao). additionally getting to know and see and learn from queer adults who understood what it was like to be in my shoes was one of the most powerful things that ever happened to me and genuinely saved me from a lot of mental health problems. it's given me an amazing group of humans to look up to as well as people who actually experienced things like AIDS and don't ask don't tell. i heart my store. and, i'm set to start BT training next week as well as get my black apron and get new cups from the summer launch. i am so excited!

i know for a lot of partners lately it hasn't been pretty and that there are a lot of things that people are upset with, and things that don't follow or align with starbucks values are commonplace in some stores. it hurts me to see others suffer at the hands of situations where they shouldn't be suffering, and i hope and wish with all of my partner heart that the partner experience is made better for so many people. I'm sending everyone some damn good vibes and hoping that whoever reads this enjoys their next shift and all to come, and that things get better 💖.