13 Things Baristas Won’t Tell You

really?

yes…….so true

Thats funny. All the middle eastern customers would say “give me mocha, and give me caramel cake”

Say please and leave a tip for a cup of coffee
what the f… is wrong with the coffee at my local 7-eleven
if I don’t like the taste just toss it and get a new one
For under a buck-fifty

i am a starbucks store manager and have been for 6 years, although we train our baristas well, there is no such thing as barista school.

i am a starbucks store manager and have been for 6 years, although we train our baristas well, there is no such thing as barista school.

NO!!!!!!!! i work at starbucks and was never sent to school,.

Another thing….when we ask if you prefer whole or skim milk….yes is not a correct answer :)
If you ask for extra, be prepared to pay for extra…..

support your local barista

#1 was “If you’re not at Starbucks, don’t order like you are”, then in #2, the article goes on to discuss “Venti” vs. “Grande”. The writer certainly does not walk the talk.

These lists would be great, if the page didn’t have to reload between each item, and if…just perhaps…they put a next button somewhere on the page. This is why I’m logged in under Google, Yahoo blows goats.

Tip? Really? I do not tip at McDonalds, Jack n Box, etc…why would I tip for just COFFEE???? Bring it to my table and I will tip.

Comment #8: 8. Sometimes the owners of independent coffee/espresso carts buy cheap coffee and sell it as a respected brand. Not that any of our customers noticed.

Please, read the SOMETIMES. I own one of the carts and it NEVER crossed my mind to be so deceptive. I use only high quality espresso roasted beans.

What a snotbag this writer is.

 Yep. I have a friend who works at Starbucks and yes, they are sent to “school” to learn that

Learn to make great coffee at home and buy a thermos.

ummmmmm no they don’t. I was trained by someone who doesn’t even DRINK coffee.

Actually the best coffee is made at my house, and the best tip I get is a smile.

I hate all the airs they put on. I shouldn’t have to order something in C++ gobbletygook at 7:00 am

A lot of this is nice, but it seems a bit directed toward Starbucks. Being a barista at an independent coffee shop, I see a lot of these things, especially people ordering in starbucks lingo. It however is pleasant when people are polite in the mornings; believe me, I’m as tired and crabby as they are and I have to be pleasant even though I got there an hour before! 

I also say please or thank you but rarely say both in one ordering. Does a smile count for please? I want them to know that I’m happy.

I also say please or thank you but rarely say both in one ordering. Does a smile count for please? I want them to know that I’m happy.

excellent points. I did not know my favorite drink at Starbucks, Venti Caramel Machiatto,  had more milk than the grande, but not more caffeine. I usually order a triple shot, anyway to get it stong enough. Usually it is not sweet, and is a dark caramel color. I usually add my own sweetner, Sweet & Low, to make it to my taste.  Glad I consistently tip and am usually nice to the Baristas…I know them by name, and I talk to people using the name on their name tag. I let them call me by my first name, too.  It is what makes the coffee worth the price, a friendly face on a Monday morning….priceless. Sometimes, I have grumpy days, and they are nice to me, probably because I am normally really nice to folks…and they ask how I am doing and know my name. It feels good, and I apologize for being grumpy and uncaffeinated. They fix that for me.  I work all day in customer service, too. 

All is pretty much true, except for one.  I have worked at several Starbucks.  If you ask for Decaf
and the Barista accidentally pressed a regular shot, if they do not like you, if the line is long or
if they are angry at management (which happens often), regular is what you will get.  Young
adults do not understand what regular coffee does to some people.  They just know that this
is a short term job and you will not know the difference.  It is a common practice even if they
do not admit to it and corporate denies it.  I have for 5 years witnessed it many times.  I
would stop it when I could but the practice continues!  Decaf people beware!

Yes, absolutely true.  There is much more that goes on behind the counter than the
customer knows.

You are correct, there is no Barista school, however, you are trained within the store. As a Store Manager, then you know that most are trained incorrectly.  You should also know that because
of the change Starbucks has experienced within the last 3 years, they are no longer the employee
friendly company they once were.  If you were employed 6 years ago, you know what I am talking about unless, the level at which you are along with your young age, you are probably glad to just have a
job.  Anyone with a long history of management would know precisely what I am referring to.  No, I am
not bitter.  I loved working for Starbucks because I am a people person.  However, I no longer supported their change of behavior when they began to overwork their employees. No doubt that their change was
not in the best interests of their employees, it was strictly about making money.

You are correct, there is no Barista school, however, you are trained within the store. As a Store Manager, then you know that most are trained incorrectly.  You should also know that because
of the change Starbucks has experienced within the last 3 years, they are no longer the employee
friendly company they once were.  If you were employed 6 years ago, you know what I am talking about unless, the level at which you are along with your young age, you are probably glad to just have a
job.  Anyone with a long history of management would know precisely what I am referring to.  No, I am
not bitter.  I loved working for Starbucks because I am a people person.  However, I no longer supported their change of behavior when they began to overwork their employees. No doubt that their change was
not in the best interests of their employees, it was strictly about making money.

#3 is a BEAUTIFUL pull of Krema, Yes I’am a Barista and I was taught by the company who sold us the coffee beans,then to turn around and teach everyone after me and all the students that work with me, I’ve been a Barista for 17 years and you get to know your regulars and what they drink and how they drink it,and for the smiles well I know our  students have been up all night studying for tests or finales so I hope my drinks make them wake up and feel better…*;*…

#3 is a BEAUTIFUL pull of Krema, Yes I’am a Barista and I was taught by the company who sold us the coffee beans,then to turn around and teach everyone after me and all the students that work with me, I’ve been a Barista for 17 years and you get to know your regulars and what they drink and how they drink it,and for the smiles well I know our  students have been up all night studying for tests or finales so I hope my drinks make them wake up and feel better…*;*…

Generally tip a dollar just for plain black coffee.  I always say please and thank you.  Try to learn the first names of the baristas.  I know it is a job I wouldn’t be very good at.  When I hear the combinations people want for their coffee and spill it out like the baristas should have gotten all of ingredients. It drives me crazy and I’m not even working.  

School? It depends which company you work for. In Wilmington , NC, Port City Java sends all it’s new trainees to school for weeks to learn the trade. I however work in one of their independent franchises & learned on the job. It’s different everywhere- but one things for sure, it is not an easy job. It really is an art form. Just like a chef or good bartender. So tip well, if you can.

Be nice? The people who work at these places are unfoundedly haughty. They try to correct me when I pronounce caramel correctly. There’s more than one way to pronounce it and I don’t need some delusional twerp pretending he’s better than anyone by pronouncing it the way he does. You’re a servant. Get a grip.

I remember one time after a hurricane we had no electricity at the shop.  We were trying to transfer our milk and perishables to another shop as well as do a little housekeeping.  The door was open for ventilation and we were in ratty clothes not our usual polos and slacks with aprons.  We had a customer come in and try to order some fancy drink.  It was very obvious that we had NO electricity but he insisted on trying to order.  He finally decided he’d just settle with regular coffee.  I’m not sure what he did not understand about We are not open for business due to the hurricane that’s closed most other businesses in town.  He left the shop empty handed and very upset…and he was a regular!

TIPS: If you want one, stop charging so much money for the dink.  Some of us know that you are paid by tips, but when we are charged a lot of money for a stupid cup of yummy coffee, we can’t afford to pay a buck tip.  You want a tip, okay, here is a tip:  “Don’t charge $4.50 for a stupid, but yummy cup of coffee that we can buy at the 7/11 down the street for only $.99 or $1.25″!  AND we can put whatever we want in it for no extra charge!

get over the “please”.  payment is “please” enough.  serve it with a smile, fake yhe smileif you have to and say thank you to your customer who may be mute and you want please?  payment and your job is enough.

yes,but you are getting paid to be there

tmi

and you are aware the baristas have no more control over the price of the product than you do, right?

I don’t believe that all starbucks employees go to school. The ones in my town suck, they can hardly pull a decent shot hahaha

starbucks has two macchiato the carmel one and the real one, fyi lol

Starbucks does not send their barista’s to school any longer. Before they became McStarbucks and actually cared about good coffee they gave baristas 40 hours of actual training. Now it is on the job and barista’s at Starbucks don’t need any actual skill to pull shots due to the wonders of automation. 

haha this is so true… especially the Mochiatto. I don’t think i’ve set foot in an American coffee shop that sold an authentic mochiatto nor does the owner of the coffee shop i work at know what it is. My biggest pet peave!!

They aren’t servants at all, just because they work in the service industry doesn’t make them servants. You, my dear, sound more haughty than any Barista I’ve ever met.

You’re obviously a snob. You’re the person who gets a shot of saliva in your coffee.

if the cakes are loaded with white sugar…they’re not vegan.

You’re paying the company- you’re not personally giving the barista “payment” unless you leave a tip. And you’re not the one employing me, so you’re not doing me any favors by coming in and ordering a triple grande skinny half-calf latte heated to 140 degrees with two sweeteners. So yeah, its nice to hear a please and/or thank you every once in awhile. Especially since we try our best to make drinks perfect (maybe not all baristas, but I sure as Hell try my best to pull a perfect shot, steam the milk to a perfect temperature, and create thick, creamy foam). It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to be polite- and it makes a barista’s day less miserable.

Then go ahead and do that.  Please don’t ever stop by my shop.  If you all are happy with the swill from 7/11, by all means keep drinking it and I can save the good coffee for people that do care.

Then go ahead and do that.  Please don’t ever stop by my shop.  If you all are happy with the swill from 7/11, by all means keep drinking it and I can save the good coffee for people that do care.

It’s more than just a “cup of coffee”.  Like the other poster, please continue to visit these establishments and never ever go to a real coffee shop.  We laugh at people like you.

Yeah….we’re the haughty ones. 

Yeah….we’re the haughty ones. 

Do you have any idea how much all of those things cost?
Coffee, sugar and milk are three things that the prices will continue to rise on and unfortunately we cannot stay in business and eat the increased cost of these materials.  If you can’t afford to tip, then stay at home and make your own coffee.

You should be coming to mine then.  We love it when people want real espresso drink.  Honestly, it makes my day when someone orders an authentic macchiato.

Then why would you go there? If you don’t like the coffee, you don’t like the costs?

I’d heard of the carmel macchiato, but didn’t know that Starbucks actually made real ones. When customers see the real ones, do they get really pissed off?

The first one made me laugh xD I love being a barista :D

The first one made me laugh xD I love being a barista :D

Finally, someone said it, any way to get this to my regulars before my shift today?

Or a dead shot :)

Yes, but how am I supposed to use my machine that requires electricity if there’s no electricity? You can always brew a cup of coffee, all you need is a filter and hot water. But how do I steam milk? Use your brain.

Yes, while it can really screw someone up to give them decaf instead of regular (while that never happens, wink wink) it can screw someone up even worse to give them regular when they can only have decaf. 

After reading these comments, I can’t wait to find a different job other than Starbucks.

It’s not good business to tell customers not to go if they’re not going to tip. You won’t get even the base salary if no one’s buying the coffee.

You laugh at people taking their business and money elsewhere? Strange.

Too bad there isn’t a Barista School. It might teach you how to listen to your customers instead of telling them to go away.

 Too bad there isn’t a Barista School. They might have taught you to not send customers elsewhere just because they don’t tip for your overpriced coffee.

By listen, do you mean listen to customers laugh at the idea of tipping you?
I have to agree, if our service is that laughable, then go buy your coffee at McDonalds.  We won’t miss you, and neither will our registers.

what change happened?

My husband got a job as a shift manager at a newly opened Starbucks a while back with no prior barista experience and I know for a fact there is no such thing as “Barista School”. He got a handbook and an apron and he was off to make drinks.

#10 isn’t “karma”…it’s instant gratification, the same kind that hoarders get when buying things they don’t need at thrift stores. It’s nothing but a dopamine rush.

Baristas are some of the most fun, intelligent, and talented people I know.  (No, I have never been one.  I wouldn’t qualify!)  I am glad to know of a couple things that might make their work more successful! 

agree

Boy, do I agree with you! That’s why I make it at home! I don’t need some snotnose punk telling me what’s what! Whatever happened to respecting elders?

since when is sugar an animal product?

It’s common courtesy to say “please” and “thank you”…what is wrong with people these days? 

Over half of the cane sugar refineries in the united states use bone char as part of their processing method. Labeling often doesn’t state if it came from such a refinery. Some vegans will not worry about it since there are so many different types of sugar that are labeled as “white table sugar” and do not use bone char. Still many vegans prefer to avoid white table sugar altogether as a cautionary measure.

Table?  Where are you getting your coffee?  I can’t name a coffee shop that is full-service like that anyhow.

Bad economy = raising prices on their products (since most of them are decently high quality). Add that to an increase in affordable alternatives (dunkin donuts, McDonalds) = smaller revenue. Therefore, Stock options and healthcare are not given to part time employees (and many managers purposefully cut hours of employees to make sure they STAY “part-time”). Overtime is probably strictly prohibited for baristas- I overheard one barista and manager conversation where the barista was sent home mid-rush because he was approaching overtime. 

What does it have to do with “respecting elders”? 1) My barista at my local starbucks probably has 20 years on me but still shows me respect and is sweet as can be. 2) Respect needs to be earned, and it is not earned simply by aging. I know 16 year olds that blow my mind with their maturity and wisdom, and I know some “elders” who need a slap across the face, and a nice helping of humble pie. 

Why just to baristas, or servers, or people in the service industry for that matter? We all have to share space in this world so why don’t we all try a little harder to be kind to everyone, all the time. Imagine if we made EVERYONE’s day a little better!

These are common practice at all big companies. Giant Eagle grocery stores, Chase bank and others all do not allow overtime, keep employees under 30 hours so they are part time (and therefor not eligible for benefits).
Is it fair or ‘right’? Of course not. Welcome to the world.

These are common practice at all big companies. Giant Eagle grocery stores, Chase bank and others all do not allow overtime, keep employees under 30 hours so they are part time (and therefor not eligible for benefits).
Is it fair or ‘right’? Of course not. Welcome to the world.

These are common practice at all big companies. Giant Eagle grocery stores, Chase bank and others all do not allow overtime, keep employees under 30 hours so they are part time (and therefor not eligible for benefits).
Is it fair or ‘right’? Of course not. Welcome to the world.

Most of you all sound like brats.

Its just effing coffee. If you don’t like serving people quit. If you want people to bend over backwards just to serve you some coffee and get offended when they don’t, then make it at home.

It’s really not that serious either way.

Whoa whoa whoa, servant? I cringe. No one is a servant. You want a specialty espresso drink and the person behind the counter provides that to you. This person is the reason your coffee is delicious, not totally disgusting. When a barista doesn’t know what they are doing it’s gross and undrinkable. All they are asking is that you show appreciation for their ability to make that tasty beverage you keep coming back for.  What is wrong with that? If you can’t afford it don’t go.

Trust me this happens …

I love my local coffee shop. Campbells in Covington, to be specific.

I’m Stinky Weaselcheeks and this is a post about a whale.  NO!  This is a post about being HAPPY!

Happy Happy JOY JOY!!! 

I don’t think your HAPPY enough!

Happy Happy JOY JOY!!!

(posted after drinking 4 quadruple expressos)

I am so glad I don’t drink coffee.  It’s obvious whether your serving it or drinking it it makes you psycho

I never tip but that’s because the baristas at all the coffee shops here are rude :-(

 seriously? #1 was about people ordering drinks from the starbucks menu at a coffee shop that isn’t starbucks. the writer is obviously referring to the ridiculously named concoctions created by and only available at strbucks. (not to be confused with the confused frustration felt by starbucks customers when they go to another coffee shop, order what they get at starbucks, and insist the drink was made wrong, as described in #12)
#2 was about how at practically any other coffee chop on earth the larger sized espresso based drink that you get, the more shots of espresso are in them. at starbucks that isn’t always the case. the writer was telling people not to use the starbucks size names at someplace that isn’t starbucks. people used to always do that to me when i worked at a barista and would often get mad if i didn’t know the names of various drink sizes at someplace i don’t work or shop at.
so yeah, none of what you said made sense. sorry.

Expecting a tip for counter service is insulting. Why don’t you go and beg on the street?

Yes, I normally do go buy my coffee at McDonald’s because, in case you don’t check out the competition, they have consistently good coffee, it costs $1, and they don’t give me a freaking attitude! If you don’t like people, you should get a job in the White House so that you can get away with complaining about everyone else. Do you even pay your required taxes on those tips?

So, you usually order the same thing, the baristas know your name, but they don’t even bother to make it exactly the way you like it – and you still tip?
What’s wrong with this picture?

You “let them” call you by your first name?!  LOL
Just so everyone knows, I “let” my butler be my footrest when I’m tired!  Hahaha!

I had a Starbucks chick correct me on the name, Pike Place.

its actions like that that further prove you are the typical American consumer/waster

Looks like someone has a case of the disgruntled bitters.