I'm a first year college student and I've been working at starbucks for almost 2 months, I have never been a people person. So far I've done pretty well and I like my location and alot of the customers are cool and have been patient with me and I have liked my job. For this past week in particular alot of the customers have just been the worst snobbiest, oddest, dumbest people. I have tried to hold in my emotions but its very hard. Recently like 50% of the customers have had that snobby hurry up, I deserve better service than this, I want to speak to the manager demeanor. One man tried to make fun of me and call me crazy because I was asking him to repeat what he wanted because he obviously didn't know what he was ordering and tried to blend words together and make it sound like some kind of drink. When customers are at fault (90%) of the time we have to use the customer is always right thing and apologize and continue. Sometimes my co-workers see I'm angry and have me move to bar or do a bus or something to cool off. I can't stand doing this anymore, I probably shouldn't even be working here but its all I got for now. I guess I'm weak or something I dunno but I've had to stop myself from raising my voice at customers alot. Do you guys have any tips of dealing with customers and working with customers. I try to be patient and nice and I have been successful in calming distraught customers many times. But it seems like now people just come in tobe difficult on purpose and they have that look in their eyes as soon as the enter the door like What can I do to make this the most difficult experience possible and piss off the employees here today.
if you think cafe customers a
if you think cafe customers are bad, try working at a drive-thru. they have no patience and they're twice as rude. I had one man sit in line right in front of the speaker for 6 minutes (oh yes, i timed him) talking on his cell phone in the middle of a morning rush.
as far as dealing with the angry ones, it comes with practice. you have to control your tone of voice and make them feel like they've done nothing wrong and that we're here to pay complete attention to them. uttter bullshit, but you have to do it.
but you can always slip them decaf and revel in the idea that they'll have a massive headache later due to lack of caffine.
although, even at my store, there are a few really awesome people that make dealing with the bullshit worth it. so good luck. find the good ones and stick to them.
I don't know how long it take
I don't know how long it takes but eventually you get used to hearing all kinds of orders so that you know what they might be ordering. E.g. a GRAND-DAY CHIA TEA OR ONE OF THEM HUGE WHITE DRINKS, OR THE CARAMEL MACHETE .
The worst are the little snot teenages who treat you like crap and never bother to tip even though Daddy has handed them $50 - $100 for the evening. They also like to play little tricks. One broughT a Mocha Frap back and said it tasted awful. She got another one made exactly the same way, then walked back to the sofa area where her friends were and all had a good laugh at her little game. We have the cops (who get free coffee drive through several times on a weekend night and sometimes stop to explain what creating a public disturbance is to the little jerks. It always ruins their evening because some have been drinking so that is the beginning of their troubles. We also charge them to the max for every extra syrup, shot, etc. I have even voided a sale and re-charged for the x-tra, x-tra whatever that they mention while the drink is being made. Other customers can get the caramel on top with no fuss, not them.
If you have one that you know is going to be as difficult as possible (yet show up day after day), make them wait a bit. If you are accused of being slow, be slower. If they are dumb enough to insist that they want a Caramel Apple Cider with an extra shot, give it to them & charge them for that shot.
Believe it or not, the best way to piss these rude people off is to be a nice as possible. They are looking for a reaction. Most of the time, they get a clue and start to behave properly. If not, we wait and laugh at them when they leave the bar area. They can never be sure if we are having a good time at their expense but they do really know so get really upset about it. After all, we don't want them back in the store.
fraplitexxcaramelwithwithwhipohplease
yup, teenagers suck. they are
yup, teenagers suck. they are little snots. and i like your advice.
but even worse are crack heads. i work at a shop thats right in the middle of this cracked out neighborhood and the crackheads are not only little snots but often steal tips, create uncomfortable situations for the good customers, make huge messes, and start fights with the people behind the counter. Their really hard to kick out too becuase it takes calling the cops often to get them out.
fuckin crackheads
Thx for the tips my last shif
Thx for the tips my last shift I was alot nicer and when customers are a little difficult I just start convos with them and ask them how their day went and show them the cup to make sure I get everything exactly right. May take some extra time but it saves them from a swift kick to the face after I can't take it anymore and explode. Only thing that made me angry my last shift was some transexual that couldn't speak english who came in and smelled really bad and leaned over the counter trying to pronounce everything and I had no idea what he was trying to order :/
If you aren't yuppie proof or
If you aren't yuppie proof or the spawn of a yuppie then Starbucks is probably not the place for you.
I feel sorry for the people who think by working at Starbucks they are going become instantly connected to some sort of underground, funky, emo culture that people generally associate with coffee shops.
Starbucks is set up to be a boring place with equally boring and occasionally stupid and mean people coming in and out each day. It is completely void of suprise and character. In fact suprise and character are completely regulated by a big brotherish entity called the Sirens Eye.
I can see why you are upset with this reality because those of us who live it and can see past our own noses are as well quite upset with the state of affairs. We don't get compensated enough for the bullshit customers and bosses put us though.
So my advice to you Mr. Gooddaytodie (often how I feel right after I punch in) is get in touch with a union organizer (which can do through this website) and stir things up a bit where you work. Make Starbucks a real fun place to work.
The customers will always be mean but at least you can make your boss sweat a little bit while you earn your buck.
I know sometimes it can be fr
I know sometimes it can be frustrating to have to deal with allof these people, but you have to try your best to get through it.It's a job. No matter where you work in life you will have to deal with people that are not pleasant. True we can argue that people who frequent this company are a lot worse than others, but think of McDonalds, the Gap, H&M, and the millions of independantly owned business. No matter where you work wheather it be in an office or retail you will be annoyed by people. The trick and the challenge is to learn how to deal with these people now. I can guarantee if you can pull through this part of your development that you will be surprised at the pay off.