Submitted by LuckyPotter777 t3_y8ympq in IAmA
Ask Me Anything!! I’ve been with the company for over 1 year, so i’ve got a fairly good grasp on policies, standards, etc. I’m open to questions for anything that would not force me to disclose inside info on launch dates, company secrets, etc.
Do you see your name on any of the cups?
Yeah, you misspelled “toaster”
Who is your favorite Pokemon and have you unionized yet?
Fav pokémon is either Lickitung or Togekiss, and no, sadly we are not unionized because Texas is an “at-will” state regarding employment.
A trainer with an oral fixation, huh?
What are some things the general public would be surprised to learn about being a barista?
WE MAKE ALL OF OUR WHIPPED CREAM!!! It ain’t that store-bought shit.
On the same vein, we make our own sweet cream as well.
Contrary, we don’t make any of the food. It’s all pre-packaged and thawed for sale.
If you come in regularly, especially through the drive through, we most definitely recognize your voice and probably have your order memorized.
We love the dogs that come through.
We hold the power to take the caffeine out of your drink. Don’t be a bitch. Personally, I have only done that to one person, and it was within 2 months of starting. I haven’t dealt with anyone that bad since (thankfully)
Why would someone working at a coffee shop want to join a union? Wouldn't it be better to either get a better job or start your own coffee shop? It seems like a starter job you wouldn't want to make a career out of
That’s a very fair question. Some people seriously enjoy working at Starbucks, but their management is shit, so they work to either get better management or be treated better. To answer the second aspect, this job pays well, and requires little to no previous experience to apply, so it is very enticing to work.
Least favorite time of year in regards to the customer base?
I’ll answer it two ways: My least favorite day of the week to work is 100% Sundays, specifically from like 11-5ish. It’s like having another weekday morning rush, but six hours long.
My least favorite time/season is probably a tie between Fall (Pumpkin Spice Everything) and true winter (like January to early/mid March). It’s cold, and everyone is looking for a hot drink; everyone is mad because they’re cold, and won’t hesitate to tell you that they’ve been waiting for a long time or the drinks are bad.
Damn. Tbh, when I asked this question, I wasn't expecting someone to say something against pumpkin spice, I'd figured it would make the job easier considering almost everyone wants the same drink. I won't say I understand, since I've never been a barista, but, I will say I have much more respect for my local baristas. Especially on Sundays and during winter. Thanks for the insight.
Of course lol. It’s not that it’s the same drink over and over again, it’s the different varieties that it comes in. it’s like adding an extra six drinks to our mental list for only like 3 months, which is super annoying but seasonal changes keeps people coming back.
Every Sunday after church
Do you work in a Union shop?
No. Texas is an “at-will” state, so our entire store can be fired and replaced at the discretion of the store manager and district manager.
That’s not a valid reason for not having a union. Our local Starbucks is union, in an “at will” state.
The reason everyone wasn’t fired is community support. This a liberal town and if Starbucks fired the union employees, no one would buy coffee there again. I guess in Texas, people would be like “you shouldn’t have formed a union” if you got fired?
Yeah, our area is heavily anti-union, pro-corporate. I can see why you think it’s not a valid explanation, lol. Our city is just not super supportive of the Union ideals.
When making an americano, what goes in the cup first, the shots or the water?
Ok, Starbucks standards call for the shots, then the water. However, I prefer to mix the cream and sugar with the water, then pour the shots on top like our macchiato.
That would make me crazy. Stick to the standard.
But an americano is just espresso and water..
some people order with cream and sugar, so i was explaining what went where at the point of preparation in the drinks
What’s the craziest order you have received?
Matcha + Strawberry Açaí, which made the drink look like literal shit.
All frappuccinos with added espresso also smell nasty.
Do you make latte art or just dump the foamed milk into the coffee?
It depends. If the customer is being nice and there’s no wait, I will 100% attempt latte art. If i’m barring for morning rush, all bets are off.
My fav drinks for latte art are mochas and flat whites (easy contrast brown foam and crema)
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Why did the condiment stations disappear during covid and why are they still gone? Is this a sleazy money saving tactic? I now have to buy sugar packets and keep them in my car.
When I order a latte with no foam, why do some of you think it means I want it replaced with empty cup?
Answer for 1: Covid made them disappear. We still have them out, but you have to ask, and they used to stay out until they were used, so not really a money-saving tactic lol.
Second: I’d say order your drink with no room if your having this issue. sometimes measurements are slightly off, and the foam is there to correct for underfilling the cup. Again, i’d just order it with no room or without room.
Do I have to buy anything to dine in?
Nope! you can come in and set up a laptop and get to work.
OP is confidentially verified.
For more AMAs on this topic, subscribe to r/IAmA_Restaurant, and check out our other topic-specific AMA subreddits here.
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How do you make those little designs with the foam?
Is cold brew really different from iced coffee?
Latte art is an incredibly fun and calming thing to do. I’ll link a video after this comment on how it’s done.
Yes; cold brew is brewed without heat, while iced coffee is regular coffee brewed, then iced and diluted. The end product for cold brew is smoother, has less bitterness, and more caffeine (since it brewed longer than 5 minutes). The nitro version infused nitrogen into the drink, and helps the caffeine hit quicker.
Here is that Latte Art video!
I don't know if you answered this one before or not but, is it annoying at some point when those children that watch tiktok ask for an absurd combination of stuff? Do you get one of those at all?
It is infuriating when someone makes 7 or even 8 changes to the drinks, and then is surprised when I read the price back to them… and also when they order “the tik tok” drink or a “cotton candy frappuccino” all of us who have our headsets on are just like face palm
i have tried some of the tik tok drinks, and i think my personal favorite is a pink drink with matcha cold foam
Does being nice (as a customer)to your barista make a difference for them or do you prefer your customers to be rather „neutral“? I always try my best to make sure I genuinely appreciate their work (in the short time between handing over the money and leaving with my drink) but often times I wonder if it’s something that would bother them?
Yes! Be nice to your baristas, and I guarantee that it will make their day. As long as you aren’t overdoing it, I would 100% be nice lol
if you got pregnant or got somebody pregnant if you partake in those types of activities, and wanted an abortion, or to help the person pregnant get an abortion, how would you go about doing that? No politics. Just walk me through that process.
Honestly, I’m not completely sure. I am not of the gender who can get pregnant/need an abortion, so I have never looked into it. I’ll look into it though!
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usedatomictoaster t1_it4hewf wrote
Ok whatever. Is my coffee ready yet?