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
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.
I say "please" and "thank you" to anyone working in the service industry and doing anything for me. Ask for anything? Please. You bring the drinks we ordered? Thank you. Food? Thank you? The bill? Thank you. I leave? Thank you, have a nice day
This. Its a shame that being a decent person is almost worth an award now
Load More Replies... Same concept, but I think every customer-facing worker should be allowed one-free immunity, anything goes, interaction with a customer that you can't be fired for. It can be redeemed at anytime, maybe once a season, and the customer has no idea when it will happen.
You're still a human being. You can respectfully stand up for yourself and not be fired. Yes, I have been in retail off and on since 1987. Just 3 weeks ago I was called out my name and I responded. No cursing needed. He looked at me like I was an alien and walked out of the store. If you get fired for expecting to be respected, start looking for a call center job or something in the back of the house.
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Working in retail I would love that so much. Sometimes I just want to scream at customers when they're flat out rude, refuse to follow store rules or even follow the law. (I am not getting sacked because you cannot prove you're over 18)
Not just sacked, but possibly arrested and jailed for selling something you're not supposed to. Then you really have a hard time working.
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I prefer to talk to customers that are upset in a very pleasant way where it is clear that they can't upset me or intimidate me. Be nice. Be courteous. Say "No." Eventually, they tire themselves out. If they threaten to sue, make sure to give them the corporate address to send the summons to. Provide your attorney's phone number. Help them in all regards. You leave them with nothing to threaten. They'll calm down. Then, you can fix their problem. Always nice. It works. Sometimes people get keyed up. That's OK. Just keep being nice. You can't be angry at someone who is genuinely nice to you. It hasn't failed once in 20 plus years. If they do sue, that's why you have insurance. The attorneys will take care of it. I haven't lost yet using these techniques. Now, if the customer is correct, take care of it. Don't fight about it. Just do it. They're right, you're wrong. Just make it right.
I agree. But I think these folks on here are under the age of 40. I too have over 20 years. Customers can look at a person and see that they can get your goat. They will try u. I never had to "lawyer up".😄 I however can refuse service and ask you to leave the store. I have done this as well.
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bosses who allow staff to treat customers with the respect they deserve, good or bad, quickly find themselves with *extra customers*
I’m so down for this. I work at Trader Joe’s 99% of the time people are great but there are other times I just stare and think this isn’t real life😂
There are definitely some horrible people out there.. but Starbucks employees get annoyed when I make sure they have my 3 adds so that I don't have to hand it back.. I'm very nice but they're definitely annoyed..
And, what would you gain from being self-righteous and ignorant, as some customers are? Dealing with the public is a tough job that comes with verbal abuse, at times. But, there are also times when one comes across polite customers that make the work day worthwhile. It's a microcosm of life, in general. There are jerks and there are sweethearts. On the job, we have to develop a "thick skin," consider the source, and move on to the next customer. It's not easy.
I used to work at Starbucks in NY...i was an opener, my favorite was working the drive up. It was always VERY busy and had the nicest customers. For a switch, a did an evening shift (worked the inside counter) and customers were so very different from my morning ones....grumpy, impatient, all around crappy....would have loved this for that night😬😹
Omg! This would be so awesome! To be able to respond to customers the way we want to and the way they deserve!!! Lol.
I would get a world record for "meanest things said to enemy" if i did that
I would love this, especially where I work. Every day is verbal abuse from being called Homo to the same customer saying stuff like "I saw you mastubating in the toilet." Being called every single swear word. I am just so gald that most of the customers are great and understanding.
You can stand up for yourself. You can say" Don't speak to me that way. Stop harassing me or I will file charges." Then do it. That is sexual harassment and is against the law. Better yet have this person arrested for hate crimes too. File a report at the police station. Then tell your boss. If your boss does nothing, like banning this jerk from coming into the store, report your boss, to his or her boss. Then quit. So sorry u are going through that. You don't deserve it and shouldn't have too.
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So? Your boss should want you to feel comfortable coming to work. A lot of customers can go to stores where older workers wouldn't put up with their crap.
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I think normalizing mirroring the customers attitude should be mandatory.
My resolution is when I’m in my retail I don’t say anything but if I see that happen outside of my job I’m totally gonna say something. This person is just trying to do their job.
Start by talking everybody the way you would like to be talked yourself, always.
In the purge there is no consequence. That is the purpose of the purge.
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.
