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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.'"

#2

It’s Called Etiquette

It’s Called Etiquette

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

Though can I just add how I struggle when given my change notes first on to my palm and then coins on top. For people with arthritic hands this is really not a good way to be given the money. I'm usually holding my wallet in my other hand and then have to do a weird bit of juggling.

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

In most countries other than the US, you are NOT ALLOWED to put money or a credit card in the cashier's hand. You either put it on the counter or in a tray that's there for that very purpose. Why? It's fraud prevention. ...///... If the money or card is always in full view of the customer, then they can't try to pretend that they gave a larger bill than they did (a classic, there's always some asshole who tries this) or claim that the cashier "copied" their card.

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

In Germany I mostly put cash directly into the hand. Now with corona a lot less of course

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

When they did that to me I want put their change on the counter too. The look of mild shock or even occasional understanding was worth it.

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

Sorry, but I disagree....I don't want to accidentally touch your hand or the other way round...

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

Right now practically everywhere is cash-less (credit or debit card only, and preferably contactless, which includes paying with your phone). However, if this was pre pandemic, can you also extend the training to staff to not put the coins on top of the notes when giving change if we're inside. Theres no danger of notes blowing away and I'm just going to stand at the counter longer faffing with my wallet.

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

In some cultures it is considered rude/ dirty to do this. In Russia they have little dishes where you are supposed to put your money for the cashier and of course now they are encouraging people to just use card

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When a customer just tosses money on the table, s/he is doing with distain: You are beneath me. You are lucky that you even have my patronage." Don't do me any favours.

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

There is a difference between putting money down on the counter, maybe to avoid touching someone's hands because of COVID, and just tossing it on the counter because you can't be bothered to be polite.

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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. I worked retail for years. People would grab sweaty money from their bra and toss it on the counter. Or just a wadded up and toss it on the counter. Every time I would look them in the eyes as I gather it up.

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

Will still put it in the counter, you can pick it up there. And please don't put it in my hand put it on the counter and I will pick it up. Your way is not the right way, I worked retail haly.my life. Counter is faster and easier then 500 people a day dropping it and having to pick it up and hood up the line.

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

There are some countries where it is very rude to put money in the hand. It is preferred for the currency to be placed on the counter. Debit cards and payment apps have reduced some of this but the pandemic has made the transfer of funds on the counter prefereable.

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

Years ago, I had a customer who was angry about the price of the product he wanted to buy. He threw the money at me, bouncing it off my chest. He said, "Little girl, it wouldn't do for me to have my gun in here today.". This was before people started shooting up businesses and schools or I'd have felt more threatened than disrespected.

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

Hm, must be depending on the country/region. I never had a customer place cash in my hand nor do we want that. I‘d feel very uncomfortable touching strangers, both as a cashier and as a customer. I also can recall at least two occasions where a co-worker or I DID end up touching customers, and let me tell you those were nightmares. The woman that my co-worker touched (a pat on the arm, my co-worker was a sweet old lady) threatened to kill us, and the man I touched (old guy, forgot his customer card so I called after him and when he didn‘t hear me ran after him and tapper his shoulder) proceeded to touch me and fumble with my shirt - not because he was a perv, but because he wanted to show me how rude I had been for touching him.

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

Um. It was old custom in some areas to count out the money so that nobody could have a "deal" with a shopkeeper and slip them extra (or less)... and in a pandemic, I ain't touching hands, sorry, not risking it, loved ones are high-risk.

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

You put money on the counter, expect to get it back on the counter. It was always pretty funny when they would hold out their hand and I'd put it on the counter. It was worth the loss of a $1 tip.

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Sarah Grape
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly prefer my change on the counter.....I don't get it

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

That pisses me off when people throw their money at the server!!!

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

I used to work as a bank cashier. I hated seeing customers in the queue with the notes they wanted to pay in in their mouth. Quite apart from the fact I wanted to use tweezers to handle the notes just think what a load of crap ( probably literally sometimes) they are shoving in their mouth.

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

A ps on that one. Supposing they wanted to withdraw money and I stuck it in my mouth before I gave it to them. What do you think they would say?

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

Also works better if you have a mix of paper and coins. Coins in the palm, paper next

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

Yes, it always irritates me when SALESpeople toss the change on the counter instead of in my outstretched hand. It is rude.

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

Or give me thumbled up money that you took from your bra or shoes. Feels like I can take their change and drag it through my ass

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Tammy Ralph
Community Member
3 years ago

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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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#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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