Starbucks Archives - Page 5 of 8 - I Hate Working In Retail

By

18 confessions from baristas brewing your coffee

So, what do the people behind the coffee counter really think of you? Whisper reveals confessions from baristas about their biggest pet peeves and why the coffee in this morning’s latte might actually be decaf.

For more barista confessions, check out Whisper.

BONUS: 7 Things You Didn’t Know About Starbucks

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

 

Sourced from mashable.com

By

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista

1. When your alarm goes off at 3:30am because you’re opening the store that day.

Bad Robot Productions / giphy.com

2. When a customer thinks you’re sexually attracted to them just because you asked for their name.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Trouble Maker Studios / giphy.com

Dude, I literally have to ask for my job. Not because I want to bone you.

3. When a customer thinks you’re sexually attracted to them because you’ve asked them how their day is.

Lucas Films / giphy.com

I’m being polite. I don’t actually give a shit how you are.

4. This exchange: “Grande latte for Jamie!” “Is that for me?” “Is your name Jamie?” “No I’m Steve.”

THEN IT’S NOT FOR YOU, STEVE. IT IS FOR JAMIE.

5. When someone asks for a “large ice water, with extra ice”.

MSN / giphy.com

6. When someone orders “two shots of espresso over ice, but in a medium cup” and you know they’re going to go fill up their cup with free milk from the condiment bar.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Mandalay Pictures / giphy.com

7. When someone takes the sugar or chocolate powder from the condiment bar and keeps it on their table as if its their own personal sugar just for them.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista

8. When you spot the impatient person in the back of the queue who you know is going to be a total dick.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Warner Bros / giphy.com

9. But then getting that sweet sense of satisfaction you when you secretly give them decaf.

Disney / giphy.com

10. When someone orders a non-fat, sugar-free drink and then orders a lemon drizzle muffin.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
BBC / giphy.com

11. When you ask someone what they want and their answer is: “Hold on, I have a list.”

Giphy

12. When a customer sits down to talk to you when you’re on your break.

I JUST WANT TO EAT MY DISCOUNTED SANDWICH IN PEACE.

13. When a customer reaches over the counter to grab something instead of asking.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
NBC / giphy.com

Sure, it’s not like your hands are disgusting or anything. Please. Touch all of the straws.

14. When you spot someone shoving a giant handful of sugar packets into their handbag.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Paramount / giphy.com

15. Trying not to laugh when someone does this while asking for a “sleeve jacket thing” for their drink.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista

16. When someone orders a “venti” coffee but you’re not a Starbucks.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
FOX / giphy.com

17. When people try to over-pronounce the Italian names for drinks.

MTV / Giphy

NBC / GIPHY

“This isn’t Rome, please get a grip.”

18. When people straight up invent drink names: “Hello yes I’d like a grande Mocha Jetachinno.”

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Giphy

YOU WANT A WHAT?

19. When a customer is on their mobile, and actually puts up a finger to shush when you dare ask what they want.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
buzzfeed.com / YouTube

20. Trying to make a drink but you can feel a customer watching your every single move.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista

21. And then you fuck it up because they made you nervous.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Giphy

22. When a customer tells you an exact temperature they want their milk steamed to.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Marvel / giphy.com

“A large, soya, chai tea latte at 143 degrees.”

23. When anyone orders “half-caf”.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Comedy Central / Giphy

24. When someone takes one sip of their drink and tells you that you made it wrong but YOU KNOW THAT YOU DIDN’T.

25. And then when someone asks for a discounted refill with a cup you know has been sitting in their car for three weeks.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Giphy

26. This exchange: “Here’s a large, decaf, cappuccino for Sandra!” “Is it decaf?” “YES.”

This exchange: "Here's a large, decaf, cappuccino for Sandra!" "Is it decaf?" "YES."

27. And this one: “I have a small, non-fat latte for Nicky.” “Is it non-fat?” YES THAT’S JUST WHAT I FUCKING SAID.

28. When a customer leans over the counter and says these dreaded words: “The men’s toilet is blocked.”

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
NBC / Giphy

29. When anyone rearranges the furniture for their “meeting”.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista

30. When someone can’t connect to the WiFi and you’re suddenly IT support.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista

31. When someone thinks it’s appropriate to bring in McDonalds and casually eat it with their coffee.

When someone thinks it's appropriate to bring in McDonalds and casually eat it with their coffee.

Oh sure. Just do whatever.

32. When someone asks for “extra, extra caramel”.

33. Or for “extra, extra whipped cream.”

Disney / Giphy

34. Or straight-up just orders a cup of whipped cream and a spoon.

35. When someone points to which specific cookie they’d like.

Giphy

“Third from the back on the left…not that one…not that one… yes.”

36. Or claims their croissant was “stale” despite eating the entire thing and demands a refund.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
The Geffen Film Company / Giphy

37. When a dodgy regular gives you their number.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista

38. When you’re out in public after your shift and you overhear someone saying they can smell coffee, and you know it’s you.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista

39. And you then realise that no matter how often you shower, you and your belongings will always smell of espresso and burnt croissants.

HARPO / Giphy

Hang in there, baristas of the world. We know it’s tough.

39 Devastating Moments In The Life Of A Barista
Giphy
Sourced from Buzzfeed.com

 

By

The 11 People Who Work At Every Starbucks

I’ve worked at several Starbucks stores. The same people work at all of them.

The Perpetual Community College Student
The PCCS works the closing shift. He drives a Toyota pickup. He goes to school part-time and works full-time to pay for the classes. He has too much homework, but always seems to have time to hang out on the patio after closing. He hasn’t declared a major. He’ll transfer to a local state school in four years or drop out.

The Young Mom
This chick is probably younger than you. She is always willing to pick up a shift if you need coverage, but you feel a little guilty taking her up on the offer. Her mom watches her kid while she’s working the morning shift so she can get home by noon. She waits for her ride outside with a Frappuccino.

The Stoner
He’s always too broke to buy lunch, but has enough money to get stoned on Saturdays. He’s an artist, but you never see any of his art. He hitches rides from friends and coworkers. When he has money, he moves in with the Musician. When he’s broke, it’s back to mom’s house. More than likely he has a second retail job at the mall or Target.

The Unmarried Dad
He’s the only one wearing shorts at work. He always seems a little on edge. He probably had a real job before working here. He’s the only one besides the Manager driving a car built in the last five years. The Assistant Manager probably has a thing for him, but it’ll never come to anything.

The Bi-Curious Gym Rat
She has a fan club of men and women who come in just to flirt with her, but she won’t settle on any one. About half of the males and at least one of the females on staff has a crush on her. She’s a free spirit and listens to indie bands. She spends her days off getting tan at the beach or snowboarding in the mountains. She’s got a Jeep, but she’s thinking of trading it in for a motorcycle. You want to hate her because you’re jealous, but you can’t because she’s so damn cool.

The Super Happy Teen
She’s got crazy hair, either in style or color. Her smile is infectious. The old people that come in love her to pieces and she brings in tons of tips when she’s on register. She’s probably religious and has a steady boyfriend she went to high school with. She gets along with her parents, especially her dad, and they’re helping her get through college. For her 16th birthday they bought her a used, sensible car and she still drives it.

The LGBT Barista
This person gets away with wearing canvas Converse on the floor instead of the ugly restaurant shoes. A favorite with all the college girls that come in, and makes a tasty soy chai. Best conversationalist. Probably vegetarian. Has a dog and lives with the Bi-Curious Gym Rat.

The Musician
This guy is pushing 30 but acts like he’s 18. He plays a regular gig at the dive bar downtown. One of his songs was on a local college station. When not working with you, he’s waiting tables or bartending—anywhere he can flirt for more tips. He makes comments about the hot regulars. He hangs out with the Stoner most weekends because of their mutual interests. He calls in “sick” but really he’s just hung over.

The Manager
If you’re lucky you get a manager that understands that people have other stuff going on in their lives and that increasing retail sales is not one of their top priorities. She puts out a fair schedule, pays you the right amount, and never stiffs you on labor. If you’re unlucky, she’ll spend all day in the back room doing paperwork and not helping you out when there’s a rush. If you’re really unlucky, she’ll get promoted to district manager.

The Assistant Manager
Poor, poor assistant manager. Your crew and your manager have life in balance. Then corporate tells you you’re training an assistant manager. She comes in with big dreams of making changes to your store and messing up everything. You’re not a fan. She drives a minivan and has to be off by 3 to pick up the kids. She’s the Yoko to your Beatles. The evil stepmother to your Cinderella. But balance returns when she’s shipped off to manage her own store, thank god.

The Overworked Shift Supervisor
Takes his job too seriously. Probably going to school full-time, but took on the job as shift supervisor for the experience and the bump in pay. Fears getting fired, but wants to throw in the apron almost every day. You like him because he gets you out on time. You hate him because he’s bossy. He drives a Subaru and lives with other college friends, but can just barely afford it all. Secretly dating one of the baristas, but everyone totally knows.om b

Sourced from billfold.com