Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
↑
8
↓
Free coffee? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Neat_Mix_6192
Was just listening to a podcast and they interviewed a girl that’s a Starbucks barista and she said she gives out free coffee to people having a hard day as an act of kindness and that it cost her nothing to do
How do I get one lol everyday is a rough day.
How do I get one lol everyday is a rough day.
[deleted] 81 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Necessary_Low939 25 points 1y ago
If she does this often yeah she can get fired. Especially when the sm is present
bottlehalffull 7 points 1y ago
My sm tells us to do a rnr if we ever see someone that looks like they are having a very bad day. I had a lady crying over meeting her ex to sign divorce papers last week. She looked heartbroken. My sm brought her an iced coffee and a lemon loaf & offered a hug. Sometimes it's about being a good human regardless of profits.
Necessary_Low939 1 points 11m ago
I’m saying in general. Every situation is different. I’m not saying Starbucks offer no free things at all times. That’s definitely not true, when baristas mess up, they definitely will give. At my location or any I’ve worked at, I just never seen any crying people. If they said I have a tough day at work, I might offer them a size up. Op is wanting free stuff due to seeing someone on a podcast giving out free things. Although it’s true that most might have a legit bad day, there are people who will act it out to get free things. Just like how customers lie to get a bigger size or a milk alternative.
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] -22 points 1y ago
She is the shift manager I think she said she’d a part time manager
PercyGabriel1129 23 points 1y ago
That actually makes it worse. That means that she is actively decreasing their sales (not saying Starbucks needs more profit, but thats how corporate would see it) and it would cause an even bigger scene if her Store manager found out. And she is setting a bad example for the baristas, who might think it's okay and they could get fired for it, even if she doesn't.
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Right but also acting like she’s doing something for others like it’s not costing her anything she’s essentially stealing for others.
Viapache 0 points 1y ago
The new training told me to offer and espresso shot if they have a rough day and are yawning in line
Necessary_Low939 14 points 1y ago
Well I guess it’s ok. I mean I give out free things if it’s my fault. But not when they’re having a bad day.
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] -5 points 1y ago
She said like if they look sad or she hears a baby crying or something
Viapache 3 points 1y ago
I just had the new training (literally day 1 yesterday).
The outright told us to give a shot of espresso if it will make a best moment. Like. I asked my trainer how often and she was like “never” but then I pulled up the question and yeah. If someone is tired, ask if they want a tall. If they say they really need caffeine and it’s a rough day, give them a shot and tell them it’s in the house and thank them for coming in.
The outright told us to give a shot of espresso if it will make a best moment. Like. I asked my trainer how often and she was like “never” but then I pulled up the question and yeah. If someone is tired, ask if they want a tall. If they say they really need caffeine and it’s a rough day, give them a shot and tell them it’s in the house and thank them for coming in.
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
That’s awesome I worked for target Starbucks one so I know they are def not the same they wouldn’t let us give out anything for free very Stingey
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I kinda figured it wasn’t allowed like the thoughts nice though lol
StormTheParade 29 points 1y ago
How old was the podcast?
A couple years ago, Starbucks had this whole thing about "surprise and delight" where they encouraged employees to randomly give out free coffees and stuff. That got pushed out around the same time as uhhh... North Star? I think is what it was called?
Nowadays, that barista could be fired, one for talking to media (lmao) but also for giving out free drinks
A couple years ago, Starbucks had this whole thing about "surprise and delight" where they encouraged employees to randomly give out free coffees and stuff. That got pushed out around the same time as uhhh... North Star? I think is what it was called?
Nowadays, that barista could be fired, one for talking to media (lmao) but also for giving out free drinks
jazzysoranio 12 points 1y ago
Yeah. I still do that sometimes but I don’t advertise it to everyone. Lol. It used to be a thing back when Starbucks still cared about actual genuine human connection.
Viapache 1 points 1y ago
The new training told me to give espresso to create best moments
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] -1 points 1y ago
It was like new this week that’s really cool they used to have that program though too bad they don’t anymore it seems they’ve gotten more greedy
Zealousideal-Star448 1 points 1y ago
Not greedy exactly, “right now recovering” or free coffee doesn’t count as sales I was told. And basically the amount of hours given to the store manager to schedule is based of number of sales. So for example in the holiday season we get a huge influx in sales, meaning we need a second person to schedule to make drinks or ring on till etc.; but if people were giving drinks free for everyone who frowned or a baby in cafe is crying so everyone in line got a free coffee, corporate wouldn’t see the sales numbers and not allow us to schedule that one more person needed to 1. Keep our partners(employees) from being over worked and stressed. 2. Make the wait time shorter for you customers so if you wanted to grab a coffee on the way to an appointment you won’t be late/ have a rushed and stressed barista make your drink which means less delicious!
grlcbr8th 16 points 1y ago
I mean, I’ve given people free drinks who were ACTIVELY crying lol but other than that I just hand out drinks that were made wrong and would otherwise go to waste anyway.
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] 6 points 1y ago
100% support that I hated having to throw out things that were perfectly fine but not what someone ordered
grlcbr8th 3 points 1y ago
Yeah wasting perfectly fine drinks is the worst it makes me cringe lol people are usually grateful to receive the drink especially if it’s something they haven’t tried before.
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I only worked in target Starbucks and they def would rather us waste than give or drink even with merchandise in store they’d throw away before donating stuff
grlcbr8th 1 points 1y ago
Oh really? That’s bullshit, I’ve worked at 2 stores now and we’re always encouraged to just offer the drinks out. Usually if the drink was made in the wrong size or something I’ll just tel the person “I’ll get you the correct size but do you have anyone you’d like to give this to?” Probably wrong but I don’t see the difference in doing that vs giving it to another customer. Licensed stores are ridiculous lolol.
Edit: although I did hear the other day that there’s a TikTok trend suggesting people to intentionally order the wrong size then when they get up to the window say they ordered a venti etc… people will take advantage of us at any given opportunity I swear
Edit: although I did hear the other day that there’s a TikTok trend suggesting people to intentionally order the wrong size then when they get up to the window say they ordered a venti etc… people will take advantage of us at any given opportunity I swear
fuwaldah 13 points 1y ago
Giving out free stuff at work isn't an act of kindness.
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] -7 points 1y ago
I mean i agree it’s not costing her so it’s really not but I guess it helps whoever
BreadfruitStrong9006 -3 points 1y ago
it’s an act of kindness when you’re working for a business that makes more money than any individual person can fathom. the product ordering system that starbucks uses at a store level factors in product loss via free samples, theft, etc. so they send way more product than needed anyway. thankfully i work at a store that successfully donates uneaten food through Foodshare, but how many locations just throw this food away? i’d rather give it to someone who looks like they need it. i go out to anyone in the lobby at close and give them free food and drinks all the time. if someone needs to use their credit card to pay the $1 left of their bill after using a gift card, im giving the coffee to them for free. if someone comes in with 3 kids and looks obviously tired i’m giving them free coffee. what matters more to me is the people not the company 😇
[deleted] 2 points 1y ago
[removed]
[deleted] 0 points 1y ago
[removed]
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[removed]
Necessary_Low939 1 points 11m ago
If that’s the case then a lot of people would come to your location looking sad hoping for free food
Zealousideal-Star448 2 points 1y ago
If your a regular then no, I very rarely give it away for free, only if we messed up, or if something is obviously wrong. For example I had a couple come in and at first it seemed fine they just got a tall pink drink and an Americano (I remember still that’s how rare we do this) and they then started whisper yelling in the cafe and I notice because I like to keep tabs on my customers if anything is wrong, he then does something not sub Reddit appropriate and left her sobbing. I do the right thing and tell my supervisor and get her a water, a new pink drink, and something chocolate; went over to comfort her and took some time to make sure 1. She was ok mentally and I didn’t need to get someone more qualified to help with those situations, 2. Checked on her physically after what he had done and told her she can stay as long as needed, we ended up making sure she got a ride home as he left her high and dry.
This is what Starbucks calls making the moment right. We dont want this girl to think of Starbucks and associate it with that jerk of an ex. We want to instead associate us with a safe place to be with people who care about your well being.
This doesn’t mean you get free coffee for having a bad day every day. It’s for when shit hits the fan or if we mess up. (For example we run out of the sandwich right after you bought it but we don’t have one to give you and your a regular and you come the next day. Tho most people will not give free things because you ask. That’s not how it works) or say we saw you drop your coffee, we will make you another for free
Edit: if you want free coffee work at Starbucks or just get the app you get rewards pretty fast especially if you work at Starbucks you get 3 stars per dollar instead of the 1 per dollar that your normal customers get! I highly recommend it to everyone! You can even save your points high enough to get tumblers and mugs under 20 bucks free!
This is what Starbucks calls making the moment right. We dont want this girl to think of Starbucks and associate it with that jerk of an ex. We want to instead associate us with a safe place to be with people who care about your well being.
This doesn’t mean you get free coffee for having a bad day every day. It’s for when shit hits the fan or if we mess up. (For example we run out of the sandwich right after you bought it but we don’t have one to give you and your a regular and you come the next day. Tho most people will not give free things because you ask. That’s not how it works) or say we saw you drop your coffee, we will make you another for free
Edit: if you want free coffee work at Starbucks or just get the app you get rewards pretty fast especially if you work at Starbucks you get 3 stars per dollar instead of the 1 per dollar that your normal customers get! I highly recommend it to everyone! You can even save your points high enough to get tumblers and mugs under 20 bucks free!
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] 2 points 11m ago
I totally get it at the end of the day it’s a bussiness haha I worked for the one in target and they would not allow us to do anything free like at all unless it was like replacing a spilled drink so I was suprised and thought maybe the non licensed ones were diferente t
Zealousideal-Star448 1 points 11m ago
Maybe we have slight more leeway with things but not much. Lmao and I heard the target ones are awful!
Neat_Mix_6192 [OP] 2 points 11m ago
Yea frustrating cause you have your Starbucks manager but also the target store manager
Necessary_Low939 1 points 11m ago
Same I only give when I mess up, like I missed a sticker or I didn’t see a sticker print and they waited long without being an ass
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
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.