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Any job is difficult if you care about its outcome. But not every worker has to hear about it from customers. Baristas are one of the "lucky" ones that do.

As Gowri Chandra has beautifully put it, we Americans worship at the altar of craft coffee, reveling in its complexity and revering its art form. But we've still managed to commodify the very people who make it: the baristas. So if we believe in the artistry of baristas — and it looks like we do — why are we treating them as unskilled, expendable labor?

From everything baristas are posting online about their job, it's clear that we, the clients, are the main cause of their headaches. Of course, they have other problems too, but probably none can screw up their day as we do. Continue scrolling to learn what trials and tribulations await baristas every single day, and who knows, maybe if their confessions get plenty of attention, people will be kinder to them? Let's hope so.

All of these experiences might seem scary and really demanding when you're just starting out. "Many service industry roles aren't full-time, which often means you're ineligible for most employer-sponsored benefits," former Starbucks barista Mekita Rivas explained. "Calling out sick can have negative consequences in the workplace, especially one where you can't just 'work from home.'"

However, the job can also prepare you for the future. Now, Rivas is balancing a full-time day job, a growing freelance business, relationships with loved ones, as well as her other needs and goals. That sounds like a lot, but she said it's within her energy levels. "Although working my way through school was challenging, my hustle is what got me my degree," she said.

That job has helped her understand that 'work-life balance' means whatever you want it to. "It's whatever makes you feel comfortable and in control. I am still trying to decipher what that looks like for this chapter in my life, but I know I'm on my way to figuring it out."

#3

Every Peak At Least 5 Times

Every Peak At Least 5 Times

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#4

Just A Reminder For Those Who’ve Forgotten That We Are Human Too

Just A Reminder For Those Who’ve Forgotten That We Are Human Too

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#6

I Tried Hard To Cheer Up My Regular Karen And She Grabbed A Straw And Mixed My Little Art And Her Ungrateful Ass Said:i Dint Ask For No Stupid Drawing

I Tried Hard To Cheer Up My Regular Karen And She Grabbed A Straw And Mixed My Little Art And Her Ungrateful Ass Said:i Dint Ask For No Stupid Drawing

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#8

Mental Health In The Workplace

Mental Health In The Workplace

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deanna woods
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At one place I worked at, I told my manager that at least once a week, I would need to leave to go to therapy. She would always find something for me to do at the time that I was supposed to leave and then I would have to cancel my therapy appointment.

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Viviane
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Effing sabotaging bitch; she had alternatives, such as asking you to make up the missing hours the rest of the week, leave instructions for someone replacing you, etc. I hope you've found better workplaces since. I told one potential employer I was doing physiotherapy. My present employer is great -- I've joked about my therapist in team meetings.

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M Kate McCulloch
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We'll offer three sessions with a therapist at no cost. But you can't go during work hours. Your hours are 4 am to midnight 6 days a week. !/2 hour lunch. Aren't we nice???

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That person
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"do yoga instead! On your own time of course. And we can't pay for that."

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#9

Just A Psa To The Customers:

Just A Psa To The Customers:

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El muerto
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sadly...the self-satisfaction to tramp all over someone that has to do their jobb, to compensate for the feelings of shrinking self-worth and hurt ego, people thinks comes with the coffee

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#10

“You Need To Be Connecting With Every Customer At The Window!”

“You Need To Be Connecting With Every Customer At The Window!”

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#11

Starbucks Employees Hate When You Scream Your Order At Them

Starbucks Employees Hate When You Scream Your Order At Them

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#12

Every Store Has One (Or Several)

Every Store Has One (Or Several)

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#13

Starbucks Employees Hate When You Hang Around Past Closing

Starbucks Employees Hate When You Hang Around Past Closing

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#14

Karen Strikes Again!

Karen Strikes Again!

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What's In Your Head?
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In all fairness, while this is true to some extent, it doesn't necessarily work that way. I can only speak for myself, but I have no desire to visit any stores on holidays. However, if they happen to be open, it might actually come in handy sometimes and I might drop by. I will definitely feel sorry for the person working, but they are not open because I MUST shop there on said holiday. They are open because their asshat boss wants to scrape in some extra dough, even if there are hardly any customers.

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#15

Do You Have Any Regulars That You Just Look At And You’re Instantly Annoyed?

Do You Have Any Regulars That You Just Look At And You’re Instantly Annoyed?

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#18

Starbucks Employees Hate When You Launch Into A Completely One-Sided Order

Starbucks Employees Hate When You Launch Into A Completely One-Sided Order

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#19

Psa

Psa

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#20

Sundays Really Be Like That Tho

Sundays Really Be Like That Tho

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#21

Tbh

Tbh

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El muerto
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they'll probably try to make you a zombie, if they could....is all for the team

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#22

Just Gonna Leave This Here

Just Gonna Leave This Here

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Out of chocolate
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. It definitely is. It’s almost like workers need better pay and more protection.

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#24

Forgot The Extra Drizzle.

Forgot The Extra Drizzle.

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#25

When Customers Ask For Something Like This

When Customers Ask For Something Like This

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#27

When You're In The Back Doing Dishes, But You Have To Go Out And Greet A Customer:

When You're In The Back Doing Dishes, But You Have To Go Out And Greet A Customer:

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#28

Just Received This From Corporate In Regards To Covid-19

Just Received This From Corporate In Regards To Covid-19

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#29

Psa: Please Don’t Leave Stuff Like This In The Tip Jar. Politics Aside, It’s A Really Childish And Insulting Gesture. Thank You

Psa: Please Don’t Leave Stuff Like This In The Tip Jar. Politics Aside, It’s A Really Childish And Insulting Gesture. Thank You

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#32

It Can Happen To The Best Of Us

It Can Happen To The Best Of Us

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#33

This Is How It Feels To Work At Starbucks Sometimes...

This Is How It Feels To Work At Starbucks Sometimes...

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Monty Is Fiennes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is how it feels to work long term at any food establishment where you order at the counter....

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#34

Here’s For The Lady Today Who Hadn’t Even Paid Me Yet And Said “I’m Glad Your Coworkers Are Having Such A Great Conversation, But They Need To Get Started On My Drink Because I’m In A Rush”

Here’s For The Lady Today Who Hadn’t Even Paid Me Yet And Said “I’m Glad Your Coworkers Are Having Such A Great Conversation, But They Need To Get Started On My Drink Because I’m In A Rush”

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Bob Belcher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Truth. Why can't people just wake up 5 minutes earlier or hurry up in the morning if they k ow they want to stop somewhere.

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#35

What It’s Been Like Working In Dt With Cafe Closed

What It’s Been Like Working In Dt With Cafe Closed

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#36

Welcome To My Ted Talk

Welcome To My Ted Talk

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But sometimes, exactly because it's free, they totally ignore you and never give you that glass of water. Sometimes I order it like 10 times before I get it.

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#37

When A Customer Is Rude But Leaves A $5 Tip

When A Customer Is Rude But Leaves A $5 Tip

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#38

Dear Customers, This Is What Happens When You Reach Around The Shields To Help Yourself. Please Stop.

Dear Customers, This Is What Happens When You Reach Around The Shields To Help Yourself. Please Stop.

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#40

When You Both Open And Close Regularly

When You Both Open And Close Regularly

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