I didn’t realize I’d miss how smooth everything operates (which you think is impossible until you go to a local shop where every day I wonder if we’ll have decaf or 2% milk or even espresso to begin with sometimes lol). Yes they’re very corporate but I miss how clean cut and clear the training is. It’s very hard to train new baristas at my shop with inconsistent schedules and no training manual. As a former sbux trainer I had to draw on all my memory, write up my own, and implement it with a lot of aggravation from the management here that, god bless them, can’t train for shit.

I don’t think I’d work for Starbucks again. The company fucked me over too hard and the customers were the worst people I ever experienced (except my regulars, ily). I like the freedom and relaxed atmosphere of a smaller local shop. But I miss when I could depend on things, for the most part, and have a consistent standard across stores people were at least expected to follow lol. I want to tear my hair out some days but I’ more happy than sad I left. Sbux was a good gateway to develop an interest in coffee and an understanding for it and now I can apply that knowledge elsewhere and grow it past the boundaries there.

I hope you guys are doing okay, I hope the Union efforts are working out and work conditions improve. I have a deep respect for all Starbucks baristas, because I know how rough it can get. You’re doing a great job and doing a good service to so many people. Keep your heads up and if you want to transition to a local shop hmu, I know a bunch of them!