Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Creepy or no? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Used_Entrepreneur550
So as an opener, we of course have those early people.
One guy comes in everyday and orders a quad shot venti americano in his personal cup.
Anyway, lately every time he’s been coming in and I’m there working, he’s always telling me “Hey, smile”, with a small grin on his face. When I opened this Friday, I was sitting down doing training on the iPad and I saw him come in so I turned away hoping he wouldn’t notice me. He does and comes over and says “Hey, smile.” But I don’t.
WHY? Why do you want me to smile all the goddamn time. It’s 5:30 in the fucking morning.
Him doing this often now annoys me and I don’t know whether to think it’s creepy or just his way of being nice as a regular.
One guy comes in everyday and orders a quad shot venti americano in his personal cup.
Anyway, lately every time he’s been coming in and I’m there working, he’s always telling me “Hey, smile”, with a small grin on his face. When I opened this Friday, I was sitting down doing training on the iPad and I saw him come in so I turned away hoping he wouldn’t notice me. He does and comes over and says “Hey, smile.” But I don’t.
WHY? Why do you want me to smile all the goddamn time. It’s 5:30 in the fucking morning.
Him doing this often now annoys me and I don’t know whether to think it’s creepy or just his way of being nice as a regular.
dontcry2022 172 points 8m ago
I think the best thing you can do is just give a low energy response. Or act like you don't know what tf he's saying.
Example script:"Hey, smile"
"Huh?"
"I said smile"
"Oh, uh, ..." \*look slightly confused, turn away to make the coffee\* "Here's your coffee."
Guys like that crave a reaction, they don't care what it is. Minimal engagement is more effective than negative reaction imo. I feel like the safest approach with people like this is to make yourself seem naturally, unintentionally socially inaccessible
Example script:"Hey, smile"
"Huh?"
"I said smile"
"Oh, uh, ..." \*look slightly confused, turn away to make the coffee\* "Here's your coffee."
Guys like that crave a reaction, they don't care what it is. Minimal engagement is more effective than negative reaction imo. I feel like the safest approach with people like this is to make yourself seem naturally, unintentionally socially inaccessible
Softrbreeze 31 points 8m ago
This has been my response to these people for decades. Works wonderfully lol
ladyelenawf 8 points 8m ago
Here's my free award! I never think of things like this. It's just so subtle. Thank you for sharing.
Comfortable-Plane944 152 points 8m ago
God I hate when men say that. I’m assuming you’re female. Men say that like they’re entitled to us smiling at them. Ignore them and quit frankly when I’m not working I tell them to fuck off.
Used_Entrepreneur550 [OP] 64 points 8m ago
Yes, I’m female. He never used to say that but now it seems it’s becoming a thing whenever he sees me and so I put in as my new availability to not open anymore. I could still greet him with a smile and he’ll probably still say it when he doesn’t see me smile.
theepi_pillodu 3 points 8m ago
May be your store is causing any mental pressure to you that you are not enjoying your time at work?
I used to go to a restaurant, the guy used to be happy (used to greet every customer with smile etc), now they started forcing him to open on special events like every Saturday and Sunday morning 8-11am and his smile vanished. We felt bad for him, as I've known him working since we moved to this place in 2020.
PS. It's still creepy of him to say you to smile.
I used to go to a restaurant, the guy used to be happy (used to greet every customer with smile etc), now they started forcing him to open on special events like every Saturday and Sunday morning 8-11am and his smile vanished. We felt bad for him, as I've known him working since we moved to this place in 2020.
PS. It's still creepy of him to say you to smile.
luckystars143 13 points 8m ago
As professionally as possible, say, I don’t appreciate being told to smile, it’s demeaning. I’d prefer a good morning or hello. Thank you for understanding.
Faendina 12 points 8m ago
This is one of the reasons I still wear my mask when I’m out and one of the many reasons I hate working customer service. Don’t tell me what my face should be doing
SADGhoulie 3 points 8m ago
"Don't tell me what my face should be doing" oh I like that, that's very good
Faendina 2 points 8m ago
Haha I’m glad I amused someone lol
Traditional-Emu-1403 65 points 8m ago
Practice bottom teeth only smiles… he’ll stop
Used_Entrepreneur550 [OP] 34 points 8m ago
Actually laughed out loud to this😂 can only imagine the look on his face
imuyBonita 1 points 8m ago
😂🤣😭
lewabwee 47 points 8m ago
Gross definitely. Creepy probably. Entitled also definitely.
RuntheJules86 24 points 8m ago
The venti is quad to standard. Just an observation.
Cairanmac1 7 points 8m ago
It's a bad sign this was my first thought as well XD
fuckingveganshark 20 points 8m ago
regardless of his intent, it’s definitely creepy. i’m a trans guy and i only got male customers say things like that to me while i was working before i transitioned when i was still perceived as female
quique772 13 points 8m ago
Give him a fake smile or a creepy one
insanitychasesme 9 points 8m ago
I say give him the creepiest serial-killer smile you can muster. Keep it on your face the whole time you're helping him. Make him feel as creeped out as he makes you feel.
Latter-Guava-4734 6 points 8m ago
Yeah, I was soloing drive one morning and asked the customer at the end of the order if they wanted anything else and got told, “Yeah. A smile at the window.” I just read the total and turned off my mic because what am I supposed to say? As soon as he pulled away everyone was also ranting about how annoying it is when they say that. I gave the guy the most minimal service required, no smile included.
a-viewer 2 points 8m ago
Maybe say, "Stop telling me to smile." Or just say, "No" with no further acknowledgement.
Definitely don't smile, that's for sure. Just keep a blank expression in all interactions with him.
This makes me so mad though, this guy is gross and creepy, I would 100% not deal with his shit. Call him out, tell him to stop, idk do something to shut this fucker up.
Definitely don't smile, that's for sure. Just keep a blank expression in all interactions with him.
This makes me so mad though, this guy is gross and creepy, I would 100% not deal with his shit. Call him out, tell him to stop, idk do something to shut this fucker up.
xkcismex 2 points 8m ago
we have a hypochondriac that regularly comes through and we’ve had to crack down on them because they always try to figure out ways to get special treatment and break policy. after a few weeks of making sure our standards are followed they asked us “do you guys still love me?”
like WHAT
like WHAT
darklordnickel 2 points 8m ago
I always give people the weirdest, half assed smile i can muster when they say that to me. So fucking creepy, i hate it. Sorry that dude is making you uncomfortable saying that to you anytime he sees you. Def weird imo
CatbellyDeathtrap 2 points 8m ago
😬
aph-twizzlerland 1 points 8m ago
Smile and stare at him like Mia goth at the end of Pearl lmao 😭
elz-belles 1 points 8m ago
Of course it’s creepy. Men think they own women and can demand physical reactions from them. I would see about banning him from the store imo. First it’s a smile, then it’s more.
Lightheaded_gamer 1 points 8m ago
Sounds like an old man.
You feeling creeped out and annoyed from this is normal.
To not draw attention you can just ignore him by acting busy pretending you didn’t hear him.
Or do a brush off smirk that way he gets the hint , or wear a mask even (this one is really if you don’t want to ask for help from management and to the extreme).
If it persist, talk to your SM or SSV about it and see what they say or what they can do about it. In fact keeping tabs with your management allows them to write down a trail of records so if the guy keeps up after everything, they have the right to kick him out.
Hope this helps.
You feeling creeped out and annoyed from this is normal.
To not draw attention you can just ignore him by acting busy pretending you didn’t hear him.
Or do a brush off smirk that way he gets the hint , or wear a mask even (this one is really if you don’t want to ask for help from management and to the extreme).
If it persist, talk to your SM or SSV about it and see what they say or what they can do about it. In fact keeping tabs with your management allows them to write down a trail of records so if the guy keeps up after everything, they have the right to kick him out.
Hope this helps.
joshwantsluke 1 points 8m ago
in all reality probably creepy. There's too many weirdos that come into our store, usually I just tell the female baristas to get something in the back while I take her spot and get the guy out the door
SelloutDude 1 points 8m ago
Just say “no pictures please” and put a hand up and wave him off.
[deleted] 1 points 8m ago
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fredforthered 1 points 8m ago
Hold up. I think I know this guy, or at least a less shitty version of him. If you work at the Eastvale/Mira Loma, CA store or literally any sbux, these dudes exist. I’m sorry you have to change your availability though; as another commenter suggested, give the low energy answer, OR I think you should do the uncomfortable overshare, nothing unprofessional, just a smidge too much 🥺
Used_Entrepreneur550 [OP] 2 points 8m ago
I’m actually a Hawaii barista but there are weirdos all around regardless😭I’ve been wanting to change my availability for opening for a while before the whole “hey, smile” thing so hopefully I can avoid him in case he says that
doppio321 1 points 8m ago
I had a regular(precovid) that would place his order and whenever we would ask “anything else” he would say “and a smile” that was very annoying.
IdLikeToBuyA-Vowel 1 points 8m ago
I’d tell them, “Say something funny and I’ll smile” to test how quick of a reaction they’ll give me
jewelkween 1 points 8m ago
Definitely creepy. I had a creepy middle aged man tell me to smile as a customer. My baffled response was " no that's ok"
besoinducafe 1 points 8m ago
As someone who naturally doesn’t smile much even if I am perfectly happy, I used to get told “smile” a lot but since the pandemic I haven’t stopped wearing a mask at work because I love the peace I now have without being told to smile.
If you can be comfortable in one all of the time like I am, this might help you too. If not though, then creepy customer needs a reality check but if no changed behaviour or if he behaves worse, ban him. Your comfort at work should come first.
If you can be comfortable in one all of the time like I am, this might help you too. If not though, then creepy customer needs a reality check but if no changed behaviour or if he behaves worse, ban him. Your comfort at work should come first.
besoinducafe 1 points 8m ago
As someone who naturally doesn’t smile much even if I am perfectly happy, I used to get told “smile” a lot but since the pandemic I haven’t stopped wearing a mask at work because I love the peace I now have without being told to smile.
If you can be comfortable in one all of the time like I am, this might help you too. If not though, then creepy customer needs a reality check but if no changed behaviour or if he behaves worse, ban him. Your comfort at work should come first.
If you can be comfortable in one all of the time like I am, this might help you too. If not though, then creepy customer needs a reality check but if no changed behaviour or if he behaves worse, ban him. Your comfort at work should come first.
knufflebunnie 1 points 8m ago
Smile but use all your teeth.
katsandboobs 1 points 8m ago
I used to do a smile with ALL the teeth in response. Or ask, “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” More often than not, they will drop it. This dude sounds like a creep. A simple “no, thank you!” Will also suffice. How would men feel if we went up to them and said “hey, cry”. Leave me to my exhausting, low-paying work and go drink your coffee, entitled men of the world!
[deleted] 1 points 8m ago
[deleted]
FruitPoopLoops 1 points 8m ago
Hey, smile
Cairanmac1 0 points 8m ago
Guessing you're a female so maybe I can't speak to this as a guy. I know with my regulars that we get on well with I'd just be honest and say I was tired and it was a long day. But then I know there's the regulars that aren't the friendliest. "Assume the best in others" and all that. I would just assume he's trying to be friendly, and isn't trying to be creepy. I mean hard to gague.
Used_Entrepreneur550 [OP] 1 points 8m ago
I did see him today and he didn’t say “Hey, smile” to me instead “have a nice day”. So maybe it’s just a friendly thing he does even though I’d rather him not say that.
[deleted] -49 points 8m ago
[deleted]
diphenhydranautical 5 points 8m ago
it doesn’t come off as friendly
Mr_SCPF -25 points 8m ago
Answers the question and gets downvoted.
Lol
Lol
Super-Mycologist-781 1 points 8m ago
To much hate :/
Super-Mycologist-781 -28 points 8m ago
Dead ass
MrsOceanGrown -15 points 8m ago
Hey, you smiled today 😃
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