Normally when I write my blogs, it is with a Scriptural
truth and/or teaching lesson in mind that I revolve it around. However, this time I simply want to share
what I learned during my time working at Starbucks as a Barista (for
supplemental income while I pastored a church) and hopefully it will help you
the next time you frequent a Starbucks.
I wanted to find a part time job that the hours worked around ministry,
that would not destroy me mentally or emotionally (ie. did not want to be
drained and then go to doing “church work”), and that would allow me to be a
part of the community and get to know people.
Starbucks offered all this and I was excited to be given a green apron. In fact, I absolutely loved my job and was glum when I had to leave due to moving. There is a reason we love to use the hashtag #tobeapartner on social media afterall. So here are just some thoughts and tips to
help you:
The barista’s are educated. Sometimes
people ordering their drinks can look down on a barista because they are “just
a barista” as if the job belongs to only those who can’t find better work. I counted it a huge blessing to be hired and
feel I could fit on the team even though there were reservations from them
about “hiring a pastor” at first. Many
(if not most) of the baristas are going to college or have completed college
and so they have are highly intelligent people.
Plus, there is a TON to learn when it comes to drink recipes, knowing
the product, and being able to answer the customer’s questions. This isn’t just a job you pick up on in the
first week or two – you continually learn.
In fact, Starbucks encourages learning on all their various coffees and
product thus the reason for baristas being able to drink the product for free
(when at work). And because they are
astute and bright people, they are also quick witted which makes banter with
them as a co-worker all the more fun! So
think before you start yelling at them for making your drink wrong or treating
them as if they are dumb – mistakes happen as we are all human and in a fast
paced environment they will.
They have vision for their life. This goes
along with the first point, but don’t think because they are working at
Starbucks, that they are not ambitious people.
Nor are they less ambitious because they want to stay with the company
as their career (more on that later).
Friendliness goes a long way. This is a
lesson to all walks of life and comes as no surprise, but if you treat the barista
in an affable manner, they will treat you that way as well. Now as barista’s we are trained to treat all
in an excellent manner, and we strive to do so, but as humans it is easier to
go out of our way for someone when their friendliness aids us in doing so. Treat them how you would want to be
treated. We understand life is tough at
times, because we have rough days too, but don’t take out your horrible day (or
life) on your barista. In fact, if you
open up about how your life is rough to them (when it isn’t crazy busy inside),
you may be surprised to find the empathy and sympathy you will receive from
them!
If you want to know the locals, hang out in the
morning at a Starbucks. New to town?
Want to make connections? Just
take a registered Starbucks card (because you get free refills on teas and
coffees for having one), buy a drink, and hang out. If you keep coming in at a regular time, you’ll
start to see others who also come in all the time around the same time and you
can get to know them. Our store reminded
me much of the old show “Cheers” and it was one of my favorite things about
working there because you got to know the regulars.
Ordering tips. Friendliness goes a long way but so does
helping out your local barista with your order.
If you are new to ordering coffee, no biggie, we understand. If you are a regular coffee orderer, be sure
you follow these tips of advice as it will make everyone’s experience
(including those around you or behind you in line) better:
- Know your size and state it first: “I want a venti/grande/tall _________”. I cannot tell you how many times as baristas we have to ask “what size?”. This simple change alone brings a smile to our face.
- After stating your size, tell us the drink AND THEN the modifications. We can keep up with your order, but it is easier to put it in the computer when you say “I want a grande mocha with 2 pumps mocha, nonfat milk, keep the whipcream, and add an extra shot” rather than “I want a grande 2 pump, nonfat, extra shot, with whipcream mocha”. Why? Because after we enter the size on the computer, we then press which drink. If we have to wait until the end to hear which type of drink, we lose time and also have to make sure we remember all the modifications. When you give the type of drink first (after size), we punch the modifications at the same time you are ordering and everyone is happy!
- When they repeat your order or ask you if all is right on the screen (for those in drive thru), please listen and/or look. Make sure it is right before you say “yes” when asked if everything is correct. Nothing slows things down quite as having to remake a drink that was made “correctly” after you said it was correct when you really wanted it iced rather than hot or grande rather than tall, etc.
- Don’t order from the passenger side of the car. You might be yelling, but it is still hard to hear you. Have the driver order for you.
- If going through drive-thru, do not order more than 3 fraps or complicated drinks. The company would not say this and we are glad you are ordering a multitude of drinks from us, but when you order a slew of drinks in drive-thru it slows things down. It is more of a courtesy thing than anything else. We are trying to be very fast both for those who order in-store and in drive-thru, but with drive-thru we are timed and nothing hurts time more than the person who orders 7 different fraps for their family. And then that holds up those behind you in line. If you have a large drink order and you can do it, come inside. Again, this is just out of courtesy not a standard rule. For more tips on drive-thru etiquette, check out this site: http://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Drive-Thru-Etiquette
Baristas are people too. I love when people do the little things that can make a big impact on my day whether they realize it or not. Something as little as a "this drink tastes great" to the one who made it speaks volumes. I had a regular customer who loved how I made his iced coffee and always let me know how excited he was to see me on bar. It wasn't that the others were not doing their job (we all follow the same recipes), but I knew exactly how he liked his and sought to make it that way. We also had a lady come through drive-thru during Christmas (and a few weeks after) who always brought us See's candy. A simple tip in the tip jar encourages us. And if nothing else, asking "how is your day?" and then following that with "why is it happy/bad/sad?" shows you care enough to listen. So if you go in with the mindset that you want to bring a little joy to the baristas with which you interact, you will find you will do just that - whether you know it or not! Of course, the same is true on the opposite end and your words can have a negative impact as well. Don't be the customer that makes the baristas roll their eyes to each other when you walk through the door - be the kind that makes them smile and yell your name when you walk through!
In part two of this blog, I
will dive more into things learned working that will help more in life than in
visiting a Starbucks. But I hope this bit gives you a little more situational awareness both for your time in Starbucks as well as your life in general to those around you.
No comments:
Post a Comment