Let’s have a big round of applause for all the baristas out there who smilingly greet us grumpy in the mornings and send us off with a great start to the day, aka the morning cup of coffee, on which everything that waits ahead relies. Meetings, dates, calls, you name it.
So let’s just all imagine the uncaffeinated bunch of clients Starbucks workers see every day. In fact, we don’t need to imagine that, thanks to the Reddit community which goes by the same name, r/Starbucks. Here, the employees of the popular coffeehouse chain spill it all, the good and the bad.
Below, you'll find the stories they shared about the most awful clients, craziest orders and everything they had to deal with at work and it’s just pure madness. After you're done reading this one, be sure to check out part 1 with more Starbucks horror stories.
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My Dog Passed And They Told Me To Come To Work Anyway So I Quit. Her Name Is Eva
Eva is beautiful! And as a member of the family she obviously deserves to be mourned <3
I called in on the day my dog passed, they wrote me up for it
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When I was in my early 20s I was attached to a US unit from the Brit military. I got a phone call one day off my mum that my dog had to be put down due to cancer. Long story short, my US colonel found out and gave me free and immediate leave to go and be with him when it happened. There is many a person that could learn a lot about leadership from that guy, I know I did.
I believe in this day and age we should be bereavement days for pets (OK maybe not a guppy, unless you were very close) but come on, a DOG/CAT they are your best friend!!!
All my goldfish suffered a horrible death due to faulty equipment releasing chlorine into the water. It was upsetting and I cried all day(more like a week). I took the day of school. I just couldn't handle it. Fish deserve mourning too!
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When I was an assistant store manager at Starbucks several years ago, I still had to come in for a closing shift after literally stopping by a vet to put my cat to sleep. She had thrown a blood clot overnight and by the morning her back legs were paralyzed and cold to the touch. My manager refused to cover me or help find coverage, even if I worked on my day off instead. The whole thing was very sudden and devastating... To add insult to injury, my manager had scheduled an interview at the beginning of my shift that she still expected me to do. Not a good look to conduct an interview while still crying less than an hour after killing my cat. (Thanks SARA!)
Back in 1986 my father was dying in the hospital. I got a call at work that the end was near, so I left work to go to the hospital. He died early that evening. We got three days of bereavement. I called my supervisor the next morning (a Friday) to tell her that he had passed and I would be taking my bereavement days. She said, "So, we'll see you on Tuesday." I said, "I thought we were allowed three days." She said, "You are; yesterday, today, and Monday." I actually had to point out that he didn't die until after the workday on Thursday. She sputtered, "Oh, no, of course, you take all the time you need." What a b*tch.
I had to goto school and work after loosing pets. While I wanted time to grieve, it didn't occur to me to ask for time off. Yes, I cried at school and work when this happened. No, I wasn't sent home.
Sorry 4 yr the lost ..hope u had insurance on yr dog so u can pay yr bills
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ Rip Eva. You're Mommy obviously really loves you! You just look like the sweetest pup ever!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
My family had to put our dog to sleep and I didn't go because I was too upset, I was afraid I'd puke. I called my boyfriend to come over and comfort me cuz I was an emotional mess and he said "you need to plan for these things ahead of time." I couldn't believe those words left his mouth. I screamed, "Fine! I'll deal with my heart breaking on my own, thanks!" And hung up. I broke up with him that day.
When people show you who they are, believe them! What an insensitive, clueless remark; I am sorry for the loss of your beloved dog; for the loss of your boyfriend, consider dumping him, seeing him for who he is, in your moments of need, the silver lining of losing your dog; you have seen the blessing in disguise!
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When my wee Poodle/Bichon passed away, I was a mess. No way could I have gone to work. Miss you Toby. Xx
My first ever dog was a cavvy called Toby. I lost him at 16, totally broke my heart. I had a little boy 9 years ago and couldn't decide on his name, he's now called Toby 😊
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aww..... i am so sorry and good for u for quitting, they don't deserve you.
Everyone has the right to mourn a loved family member. Good for you!!
Damn right you quit! That's your baby and I'm so sorry for your loss
Full stop. Nope. I took a week off when my dog passed. Thank goodness my job understood and even covered me when I would start to cry at the register. I’m so sorry about the loss of your baby she’s precious
I think it's sad, but I've never heard of a place that gives bereavment time for pets. Hell, I didn't even get it when my son's friend (a sort of foster son to me) was killed by a car. I had no time off left and I had a big thing going on at work. Also, when my son's other friend killed himself. Off to work I go. (I'm a salaried employee. I might have been able to take unpaid leave, but I didn't know how and was too upset to even think about that.)
I don't understand such an attachment to a pet, but I do respect it. Pet owners deserve time to grieve such a loss. The employer was crass.
Taking time to grieve your BABY, yes, BABY, is slowly becoming more socially excepted as time goes by. One day all of us who have pets as family members will be allowed the same respect as when we lose human family members
I've had dachshunds my whole life. My last one just passed away 2 years ago his name was Otto. Special little dogs they are. So sorry for your loss of Eva, our dogs are part of our families.
Yep, I'm gonna have to say it... A pet passing is NOT a good enough excuse to not go in to work. Sure, a person gets sad, it's a part of the family ( and so forth) but this is the real world, money must be made to pay the bills, put food on the table, feed your kids, pay the car, electricity.....you know...be a reliable and responsible adult. And this person quit an actual job .. because a dog died ? That is immature at best and says alot about that individual. Death happens...life moves forward...the bills will come...and the rent does not give a s**t if your dog died.
So sorry for your loss... beautiful Eva... thoughts and prayers are with u and your family
Unfuckingbelievable. When my dog passed I sobbed daily for nearly 6 months straight and over a year later there are still days I sob uncontrollably at night wishing she was still here. My other dog is 16 now and once she goes I'll be without a pet for the 1st time in my adult life (I'm 38) and I honestly have thought about suicide when this happens. Yes I do have diagnosed depression since I was 14 but I've read that a pet passing is often more traumatic than a grandparent because that pet sees you every day, sleeps with you, never judges you, is always there for a cuddle, gets you through all the bad times etc. For a boss not to get that is just insane and cruel esp 4 a nothing job like a barista! They aren't drs 4 effs sake, no one is gonna die if they take a day off!
I'm sorry, but you SHOULD have had to go to work. They are pets not people.
It's hard to concentrate and do your job when you are emotionally compromised. For some, our pets is all we have in the world and it's a hard hit when they pass. Let a person mourn outside of the work place for the loss for at least one day.
I'm glad you quit that job Grief is hard enough to deal with without having to work Your boss was rude by not understanding your need to mourn Very sorry for your losss
Sorry for your lost. I can relate. I think of my.Bichon Frisè daily. I would have told my job to f@#$ off too!
My Step-son passed away unexpectedly and my daughter couldn't get the Saturday of the funeral off from the Dollar Tree,! So she quit after 2 years there. I was very proud !when she told me what happened.She was 18 (yes, in '06 they hired 16 year olds !)
So sorry for your loss. I lost my 14 yr old boston 5 yrs ago on jan 18th had to put her to sleep. Heart murmur. Its devastating. I was able to leave work fortunately with no repercussions. I took a personsl day. Took me and my family 5 yrs to get two new babies this yr. Stay strong they cannot be replaced and will always be missed.She is so cute, I would have quit too. Definitely deserves to be mourned and you deserved the time to do so
RIP Eva, and Mommy you did the right thing. People don't understand that are fur babies are still our babies
I’m so sorry, I know how much it hurts to lose your dog. I would have done the same thing. Such a sweet face.😭😭😭
I'm so sorry. When will people get that our furry babies are family and the love we share with them is profound?! When we lose them, it's harder than losing a human most tines and we need time to grieve and deal with the gaping holes in our hearts. I would have quit too! I'm so sorry, she had the sweetest Lil face...
Bad EX-Manager...Sorry for your Loss.. I would have done the same...Hope You Are Doing Well
I had a terrible time grieving our family dog after her death at age 16. I suffered two weeks of low productivity, but thankfully my boss has been through the experience herself and was very patient with me while I worked through my grief.
I would have quit also! Your little Eva is absolutely gorgeous. So very sorry for your loss 😭 💔
RIP Eva. You are a beautiful fur baby and I would've quit my job too.
R.I.P. Eva. You are still loved so much! These beautiful souls are in our lives for such a short time but teach us so much. 🐾💜
You are awesome. I'm sorry about your doggie friend. She's beautiful.
Oh my God this is sick! my job told me to take all the time I needed when my cat passed away. How is it productive to come in with swollen eyes, occasionally breaking down throughout the day?
I was working for Blockbuster when my Boston Terrier Manny passed away. I had been up all night with him and I was a wreck. My manager still tried to get me to go to work. There was no way I was going in like that, with zero sleep, depressed, and risking my health. I texted sorry, I just can't do it, and turned off my phone. My dad dug a grave and we had a little funeral. I didn't lose my job over it though, nobody even mentioned it to me again. Retail sucks! He was the best dog though, RIP Manny, I miss you 🌈💜
I’m so sorry for your loss. Ps I am proud that you quit your job the don’t deserve you!
Animals have no blood relation. It sucks losing an animal but not comparable to losing a child.
I don't think anyone has actually said that, but I have actually lost a child; while the grief took me to my knees for about 5 years, I also grieved, and was devastated when we lost our precious Lily Belle, a Tibetan Spaniel; it's the same heart, and it was crushed again by the intense pain of loss; I do think the duration and depth of my grief was shorter for Lily Belle, but I will still miss them both, if not equally, forever. I have recently been thrown back down by the loss of my precious husband of almost 44 years, and I will never be the same; I started mourning him the moment I learned he had ALS. A part of my heart went with him, and I think the scar just gets built upon, with each loss, to help us remain and thrive.To the OP, I am so very sorry for your loss of your beautiful Eva! She has a face full of joy! I wish you healing. 😘🤗❤
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It's also possible to be a decent employer with very few obstacles. That's the point of the post.
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Support The Workers
This Would Be A Great Stress Relief Practice
Go watch "Clerks" or "Fight Club".. You're not your job.. Your job doesn't dictate your behavior.. Just know there may be consequences for your actions.. You may get fired or you may gain the respect of people worldwide.. You never know.
According to Starbucks' careers website, baristas are the face of Starbucks. The popular coffeehouse chain states that “They are an important part of our customers’ days, and experts in handcrafting delicious, perfect beverages.” Moreover, “Baristas personally connect and create moments that make a difference and work together to create a welcoming store environment,” says the company’s website. Starbucks argues that baristas are the ones who bring their mission and values to life “while proudly wearing the green apron.”
Pouring One Out
You just need to be polite and reasonable. That works everywhere.
An Inspiration To Us All
If Only All Customers Were Like This
So what exactly is the company looking for in the people who greet customers every day? Well, Starbucks argues that you’d make a great barista if you are a “people person,” and enjoy meeting others, love working as a team and appreciate the chance to collaborate, understand how to create a great customer service experience, have a focus on quality and take pride in your work. So if you press apply for a barista position on their website, you’d be surprised how much importance they put on social and interpersonal skills. No wonder why, when you look at the clients they have to deal with on a daily basis.
*ehem*
“Please Don’t Verbally Assault The Baristas”
"Managers Favorite" Lmao
honestly calling it the "ghost refresher" is pretty cool. Also great that they're giving it for free
On the other hand, working as a barista at Starbucks is still viewed as a first job for college students since the company is flexible with working hours and has many locations to meet your needs. According to Indeed.com, average Starbucks barista hourly pay in the United States is approximately $12.55, which meets the national average.
However, like many companies, Starbucks faced labor shortage in 2021 and announced it was raising their average pay up to $17 an hour starting late January 2022. Around the same time, the company also announced that it was investing in training, as well as redesigning its "Barista Basics" guide and adding more training time.
When They Drive/Walk Past The Tip Jar
Working Thanksgiving Sucks, So I Made All My Baristas Gift Bags! Thank You For Everything You Do
these gift bags honestly look really nice, a card, a cup, and whatever else you put down in there. Definitely made thanksgiving better.
Truth
Somebody Backed Into Our Window On Friday, And This Was Presented To Us Today. Sometimes Work Is Okay
Also This
Starbucks: We Are Forced To Raise Prices Due To Inflation And Supply-Chain Issues. Also Starbucks: Our Profit Just Went Up 31% And We Gave Our CEO A 39% Raise To $20.4 Million
Some People Live In The Purge
Telling Customers We're Out Of Product
Again? What Is This?!
Somebody Literally Set Our Store On Fire Sunday And My Coworkers And I Didn’t Know What To Do So We Just Kept Making Drinks
Walked Into My Store And Burst Into Laughter. Gotta Love These Shortages
Me Watching Karen’s Card Get Declined
*sputters, red in the face* "I have MONEY in there!!!!! Try it again" *still declines* *unintelligible frustration noises* *fishes around in purse for other card to use* *finally clears* Whew.
It’s Happening
Some Whiteout Poetry Dedicated To Being A Partner
This Is Just… A Lot
Good costumer, actually. I would love all my clients having so clear ideas.
Find A Lizard?
These aren't actual orders the baristas just find a mantis and catch it with a cup and think"you know what would be funny"
It’s Starting To Get To Me
I'm more concerned about the fact that the little hovering dog has casts on both of it's front legs.
The Bucks Be Draining Yo
100% - i don't get how people workout, go out to eat, or do anything after work
the motivation and will to live parts really got me also they only have tears
The Life Of An Opener
They do that every where lol At my shop they’ll be knocking at the door *mystified* that they can’t get in at five-to. It’s ok, they’re cute.
I Am So Tired
Dead Inside
60 Frappuccinos With No Tip… $279
Water And Whip No
Note: this post originally had 88 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.
I blame Starbucks management for not setting limits on insane orders
Customers can be hard work, but most of this is an issue with Starbucks as a company. People order complicated drinks and 50 boxes for 5am because they are told by Starbucks that this is reasonable and ok.
I'm not a coffee drinker and I will never understand the assholes who put in such ridiculous orders. If you order coffee like this, you are an a*****e. If you bring your own sticker, you are an a*****e. If you berate people in the service industry, you are an a*****e. Starbucks shouldn't have to set limits, people should just stop being assholes.
So if you bring in a preprinted sticker to make an order easier and quicker to make, you're an ahole?? Foh with that ignorance. They could be hearing impaired, or have another disability, or, in that case, just be a more complex order. Stop being a fn d*ck for no reason.
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I can't ever be mean to my baristas they give me the juice of life and it's the best part of my day. They are the bringers of joy and all things wonderful.
Unless I'm a passenger in someone's vehicle who wants to swing by the Starbucks drive-thru, I never go there. I swear some people put in such pretentious coffee orders just because they can get away with it and they're borderline sadists.
Treat others as you would want to be treated. If you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all. Simple words to live by. People are so entitled that respect for others is impossible you literally have to go out of your way to be so toxic.
This is what we need in the world. Thank you for posting this.
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A coffee is a coffee. When you start to put anything in it is something else.
Pretty much, i only put like 10% of the cup milk, to protect my stomach
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Starbucks coffee is vile. People who drink it have no clue how real coffee tastes.
This article is poorly titled. It's just a bunch of memes you pulled into an article to get views. :(
The biggest problem with Starbucks is that their POS system doesn’t allow you to leave a tip on a card so you have to bring cash. It’s extremely frustrating and inconvenient. Customers and employees have complained about it for years but SB refuses to change or fix it.
Get OUT of this horrible 'tipping' culture. It is like third work countries. Pay the staff a decent wage. We only pay tip her for service above and beyond the call of duty. And when the staff are well paid the service is far better, the staff happier and the customers happier,
I personaly don't see a problem with #26... When you know your order Is complicated, or you have comunication issues, why not print your order upfront and avoid misunderstanding?
Stop writing my name wrong on purpose then. You can't expect people to treat you with kindness and glorifying praise when you purposely write names wrong. That fad is over. No one thinks it's funny or quirky anymore. And no, I'd never treat a person working in this business bad, but this grinds my gears
If you want a complicated drink invest in a coffee maker, and blender to do this yourself.
These seem mostly like a problem with the employees judging the customers... if you want a water with raw cocoa beans and vanilla extract, that's the customer's choice. If the customer is rude to me, you may just be having a bad day and I will let it go once or twice. If I choose to work on a holiday, that's on ME, and it sucks but it pays. If you want to try and make a complicated drink order for your social media clout while filming me, you will get a water or something like your order(but not really)
It's been several years since I've set a foot in a Starbucks, but are there really people who make such orders or is it a big "joke"? There are requests so crazy they could kill you just reading them...
When I first started seeing those, I assumed it was some sort of prank so they can take a picture of it and post it on social. Though it's not that funny and it's now been done over and over. I'd still rather believe these people are astoundingly lacking in creativity than believe someone actually drank one of those, though.
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Someday I wanna be a Starbucks barista JUST so I can call out a Karen’s actual name, then the CUP says “Karen” or “douchebag”
If I’m paying $8 for a cup of coffee I deserve to have it the way I enjoy it. Just don’t be rude and learn how to efficiently order, be nice, and tip generously.
The problem is 'the customer is always right,' policy. I worked at a Starbucks for a few years and a Perkins for ten. Whenever I followed Perkins policy and tried to handle something - the manager above me would go and undo it. Over the years I fed people who came in drunk, stole food, drank in the restaurant, shouted racial slurs at others, came in shirtless, called in and demanded reservations (it said in the book we DIDN'T do this). If you let them run all over you - they fuckn run all over you.
I blame Starbucks management for not setting limits on insane orders
Customers can be hard work, but most of this is an issue with Starbucks as a company. People order complicated drinks and 50 boxes for 5am because they are told by Starbucks that this is reasonable and ok.
I'm not a coffee drinker and I will never understand the assholes who put in such ridiculous orders. If you order coffee like this, you are an a*****e. If you bring your own sticker, you are an a*****e. If you berate people in the service industry, you are an a*****e. Starbucks shouldn't have to set limits, people should just stop being assholes.
So if you bring in a preprinted sticker to make an order easier and quicker to make, you're an ahole?? Foh with that ignorance. They could be hearing impaired, or have another disability, or, in that case, just be a more complex order. Stop being a fn d*ck for no reason.
Load More Replies... I can't ever be mean to my baristas they give me the juice of life and it's the best part of my day. They are the bringers of joy and all things wonderful.
Unless I'm a passenger in someone's vehicle who wants to swing by the Starbucks drive-thru, I never go there. I swear some people put in such pretentious coffee orders just because they can get away with it and they're borderline sadists.
Treat others as you would want to be treated. If you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all. Simple words to live by. People are so entitled that respect for others is impossible you literally have to go out of your way to be so toxic.
This is what we need in the world. Thank you for posting this.
Load More Replies... A coffee is a coffee. When you start to put anything in it is something else.
Pretty much, i only put like 10% of the cup milk, to protect my stomach
Load More Replies... Starbucks coffee is vile. People who drink it have no clue how real coffee tastes.
This article is poorly titled. It's just a bunch of memes you pulled into an article to get views. :(
The biggest problem with Starbucks is that their POS system doesn’t allow you to leave a tip on a card so you have to bring cash. It’s extremely frustrating and inconvenient. Customers and employees have complained about it for years but SB refuses to change or fix it.
Get OUT of this horrible 'tipping' culture. It is like third work countries. Pay the staff a decent wage. We only pay tip her for service above and beyond the call of duty. And when the staff are well paid the service is far better, the staff happier and the customers happier,
I personaly don't see a problem with #26... When you know your order Is complicated, or you have comunication issues, why not print your order upfront and avoid misunderstanding?
Stop writing my name wrong on purpose then. You can't expect people to treat you with kindness and glorifying praise when you purposely write names wrong. That fad is over. No one thinks it's funny or quirky anymore. And no, I'd never treat a person working in this business bad, but this grinds my gears
If you want a complicated drink invest in a coffee maker, and blender to do this yourself.
These seem mostly like a problem with the employees judging the customers... if you want a water with raw cocoa beans and vanilla extract, that's the customer's choice. If the customer is rude to me, you may just be having a bad day and I will let it go once or twice. If I choose to work on a holiday, that's on ME, and it sucks but it pays. If you want to try and make a complicated drink order for your social media clout while filming me, you will get a water or something like your order(but not really)
It's been several years since I've set a foot in a Starbucks, but are there really people who make such orders or is it a big "joke"? There are requests so crazy they could kill you just reading them...
When I first started seeing those, I assumed it was some sort of prank so they can take a picture of it and post it on social. Though it's not that funny and it's now been done over and over. I'd still rather believe these people are astoundingly lacking in creativity than believe someone actually drank one of those, though.
Load More Replies... Someday I wanna be a Starbucks barista JUST so I can call out a Karen’s actual name, then the CUP says “Karen” or “douchebag”
If I’m paying $8 for a cup of coffee I deserve to have it the way I enjoy it. Just don’t be rude and learn how to efficiently order, be nice, and tip generously.
The problem is 'the customer is always right,' policy. I worked at a Starbucks for a few years and a Perkins for ten. Whenever I followed Perkins policy and tried to handle something - the manager above me would go and undo it. Over the years I fed people who came in drunk, stole food, drank in the restaurant, shouted racial slurs at others, came in shirtless, called in and demanded reservations (it said in the book we DIDN'T do this). If you let them run all over you - they fuckn run all over you.
