If you ever have a large order, please – PLEASE – do us all a favor and don’t order it at the drive-thru. Place it through the app or call the location to see the best way to order something so massive. Nothing is worse than having a group of girls show up wanting 30 fraps made in an hour.
Big orders take forever in the drive-thru. It’s easier to prepare for the space and make every drink perfectly when you give them more than two seconds of notice. It also will allow other customers to get their order without getting irritated. Overall, it makes things easier for you, the baristas, and the other customers to just use the app.
Please – for the love that is holy – stop ordering TikTok drinks. First of all, they’re absolutely disgusting. Most of them don’t have coffee, and the ones that do are so sweet that you couldn’t taste it if you tried. To be honest, you’ll probably end up with diabetes after ordering one.
Second, they’re expensive. After all the add-ons, you’re probably spending like $10 for a single drink. You could use your free stars to get it, but that leads us to the final problem: they take forever to make. It slows down the line, especially when there are four or more in one car.
Asking for a pup cup or a puppuccino? We better see the animal tax – that means one of the best parts of a barista’s day is seeing the cute animals that come through the drive-thru. Dogs are pretty common, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to see their cute little snoots!
Sometimes (like once in a blue moon), interesting animals come through. Cats are the next most common, but some baristas are lucky enough to see raccoons, chickens, and other pets that we can only dream of having. Basically, please bring your pet. It doesn’t matter what it is. Baristas want to see all the pets.
From time to time, Starbucks will release a special Frap that will be around for a short period of time – anywhere from three days to a week. These “limited time” specials always send people into a frenzy, and guess who suffers most? Baristas, because it’s never anything simple. On top of that, it’s the only order they’ll get for the next few days.
They’re always something like flavored whip and layered that takes longer to do. Yeah, that doesn’t sound like much, but multiply that times several dozen orders. As if that weren’t enough, they usually taste pretty bad. If they were delicious, that’s one thing, but they aren’t. They’re just sugar on top of sugar, followed by even more sugar.
One thing you should know about Starbucks policy is that baristas can't kick you out for not ordering anything, so they really don't care. In fact, Starbucks strives on making its coffee shop a second home for customers. That's what makes it the perfect place to work or study, especially when you want to be around other people.
So, whether you need to use the restroom or you just need a place to sit, Starbucks can accommodate you without you ever making a purchase. However, just because you can doesn't mean you should. it is certainly better for business if you do buy something and with items like tea and coffee, you can get refills at a reduced price. You also don't want to take up space from customers.
Have a favorite syrup at Starbucks that you wish you could have at home. Starbucks does sell their syrups, so you can purchase most of your favorite ones. Every syrup has a barcode and that syrup can be sold to the customer, depending on availability.
In order for you to purchase a syrup, the barista needs to make sure they have enough supply to last them until they can purchase more. Certain thicker syrups that are seasonal may not be available for purchase due to limited quantity. Their supply must last through the season.
Baristas are out there just trying to live their best life. Be nice to them and treat them the way you would want to be treated. They don't care how cranky you are because you haven't had your coffee – they are just as tired in the morning. Don’t' yell at, berate or nag your baristas. You can get kicked out for being rude and unruly.
If you are nice and courteous to your barista, you'll get the same in return. Plus, there are plenty of ways for them to get back at you if you verbally abuse the, such as getting your order wrong on purpose. Nice coffee order - would be a shame if you got decaf instead…
It’s hard to believe but hear us out. Yelling (you still with us?) doesn’t actually make anyone move faster! All it does is give everyone a headache, including the person who's yelling. I know, it’s difficult to understand at first for some people, but it’s true. That goes double for espresso machines.
Trust me when I say, you want the espresso machine to make your coffee in its own time. That’s why it tastes so good. All jokes aside, stop yelling at baristas. They’ve already had a long day, and they’re people. You gotta treat them nice like you would your own family.
Trenta is a size that is not usually shown on the menu but it does exist. It is Starbucks' equivalent of an extra-large and it's about 31 oz. The size, however, is not available for all drinks; it is available exclusively for iced beverages and even then – not all iced beverages.
Trenta sizes are available for iced coffees, iced teas and refreshers. A trenta Frappuccino is available as well as an iced latte but most baristas will not make them, unless you are friends with the barista or a beloved regular, which again means being nice to your barista.
Apparently, some people have forgotten that we’re in the middle of a pandemic. Even if we’re on the tail end, it’s affected supply chains for literally everyone from grocery stores to prescription pet food. Starbucks was affected quite a bit. The most obvious sign was the removal of oat milk from the app. Baristas will only tell you if you ask, but they’ve been out of a lot more.
Caramel drizzle, certain syrups, straws, and even cups! We’re not sure how Starbucks corporate expects baristas to make sales when they’re out of everything, but stores have little control over what they can get. They ask for what they need, and they don’t get it. Sorry, they don’t have your drink ingredients, but they have other stuff, and the baristas will be more than happy to help you choose something new.
For the last time: no, there isn’t a secret menu! No one is hiding a menu from you, and no amount of asking will cause baristas to reveal the whole list of drinks Starbucks can make. The company is designed to allow you to add whatever you want into your drink.
Heck, some people literally add a whole banana (or two) into their drinks! The only thing baristas need is the recipe. Say something like “I’d like a grade nitro brew with two pumps of caramel, one pump of toffee nut, and a drizzle of caramel.” If you have that, then they will make your drink without any issues.
Because Starbucks is short on some things and people keep ordering overly complicated drinks, it takes a little longer to complete each order. One of the bigger things baristas want to tell their customers is that they appreciate patience. Some people can act downright foolish when they don’t get their drink in less than five minutes.
This gets even worse when it’s their drink that takes a while. Even something as simple as a shaken espresso? Baristas have to literally shake it ten times before the drink can be cupped and given to the customer. That takes time! Forcing people to go faster only increases mistakes and stresses everyone out.
From time to time, baristas will get an order – usually a mobile order – that’s nearly scary. We’re talking about the people who get apple juice with their coffee or those that get 12 shots. Yes, those people exist. To be fair, it’s people trying to game the system by making multiple drinks out of one order.
At least…that’s what we hope. There’s no way to make apple juice and coffee taste good, though. Regardless of the reason, some of the orders that come through make baristas wonder one thing, “Are you okay? Do you need us to call anyone? Just let us know on the mobile order!”
This one isn’t necessarily a pet peeve for some people and baristas. The proper way to order starts with whether you want it hot or cold. Then, state the size you want. Finally, name your drink and follow it up with any special exceptions you want to add or remove.
As an example, you could tell the barista you want, “An iced, venti white chocolate mocha with an extra shot and oat milk.” There’s nothing wrong with saying it out of order, but don’t get aggravated when the barista asks you what size or whether or not you want it hot or iced more than once.
Time and time again, people will order and expect their drink or food item to be the first thing coming out. Even if you’re in the drive-thru, wait for your order to be given to you. The barista always confirms you got the right order by naming your drink for a second time as it’s being handed over.
Also, it won’t hurt to use your brain a little. If you ordered a tall mocha, it’ll look a lot different than a venti iced pink drink. Never grab someone else’s drink unless you’re 120% that it’s even yours. Actually, don’t grab any drinks until the barista offers yours to you.
This is another one that might surprise some readers. When in the drive-thru, honking doesn’t make anyone move faster. In fact, it might slow the whole process down. If you honk at someone in front of you, they could get petty and not move at all. If you’re honking at a barista – consider not doing that!
We get that sometimes honking is necessary, but some Karens are more than happy to honk at people who aren’t moving fast enough (including baristas) because they want their happy hour drink! While we’re on the subject, happy hour is probably the worst thing Starbucks has ever introduced.
Frappé and Frappuccino may seem like the same thing, but it isn’t. Both words are branded, which means both companies can do whatever they want. It isn’t like ordering black coffee and getting a black coffee. It’s like ordering a black Coffé and getting something with a ton of sugar.
Frappés are incredibly sweet, like nearly everything else at McDonald’s. Chances are, if you like a McDonald’s Frappé, you may not love Starbucks. Sure, Starbucks makes them sweet, but they’re a more complex flavor and sometimes even include coffee. The sugar is more subtle. Some baristas hate hearing Frappé instead of Frap or Frappuccino, but most won’t get mad if you say it wrong.
Don't assume your coffee is ready because you've been waiting a while or that drink sitting on the counter closely resembles what you ordered. If your name wasn't called, your drink is likely not ready. Baristas need you to wait until your name is called before you start grabbing drinks.
It could be that you grab the wrong coffee unknowingly and you end up with someone else's drink. Then, when your drink is wrong, you'll, want to complain about that when you drink it and then the other person's drink will have to be remade. It's just a big waste. The baristas have a method – let them utilize it.
All day, baristas get the worst orders – especially those TikTok drinks that have a million add-ons and taste like pure sugar. They end up covered in sugar, so having a break is golden. In fact, it’s one of the best parts of the day. The easiest drinks on the list are plain black coffee and iced chai tea.
Iced coffee, hot coffee, or cold brew coffee are easy because it’s all premade. Pour and done. Iced chais are special because those get poured into a cup, but hot? Hot requires it to be heated up, so it’s a little less easy. That being said, anything is better than a caramel ribbon crunch. They’re awful to make.
Treat the baristas with respect and give them the same kind smile they give you while getting your drink? Yeah, those people are appreciated. Occasionally, a customer will come along that changes the game and reminds baristas that not everyone walks around with a permanent scowl. Those people are one-in-a-million.
Usually, the best customers are those who are good tippers, small-talkers, and or just someone who shows respect for those making their order. The best regulars will bring gift cards or flowers thanking baristas for their never-ending work. Most Starbucks are understaffed, and the employees are overworked. Any amount of kindness goes a long way.
Don't hit on your barista. If you barista is being so nice to you, it's because that's what they are paid for. They are just trying to get through their day and get paid, like you. It doesn't matter how cute you think the Starbucks uniform is, dating you is the last thing on their mind.
So, order your coffee, wait for your name to be called and pick it up. It's that simple. Looking to meet people, maybe you can strike some conversation with other patrons at the store. The barista is just trying to get all their orders through. and they don't have time for anything else.
Starbucks has a menu online and you have a computer. You should have some idea of what they have and what you want to drink. If they say, "take your time," they don't mean stand there for minutes at a time. There are other customers to attend to. In all honesty, "take your time" is a secret code for "hurry up."
Now maybe you see a new menu item that you didn't expect, you can think about it for a little bit and if it's really a struggle let the next person go in front of you to keep the line moving. There are more people at Starbucks than just you, so it's important to consider that everybody is waiting.
If you've ever been in a Starbucks, and we know you have, you know how clean the stores are. They don't get that way on their own. Employees have to clean them and they have to clean frequently. They aren't getting paid so much money that they just have all the time and energy to pick up after you.
If you are taking the wrapping off your straw, don't just leave the paper on the counter. Pick it up and throw it in the trash. And if you have a pastry, sandwich or whatever else, don't leave that trash on the tables. You can pick it up and save everyone time, you know, and be courteous to your fellow man.
Going along the lines of the trash thing, watch out for your messes too. If you are going to make a mess, even if it's not entirely your fault, because your cup is leaking from the top or whatever other reason, have the integrity to clean up after yourself. Starbucks strikes to keep their workspaces clean and it can be easy to miss something.
Help your baristas by cleaning up after yourself. Wipe up that spill with some napkins and get rid of those crumbs. Do this not only for the baristas, but the customers that have to deal with the mess too! How many times have you skipped a table because of the nasty mess on the table?
The mobile app is your friend and your barista's. It gives baristas plenty of time to make up your order before you get there, and it makes taking your order easier because it's all written down electronically. Rather than you verbally listing off everything you want in your drink, mobile ordering is more efficient and ensures you get everything you ordered.
One thing you should also know about mobile orders is that they come first. Baristas are instructed to take the mobile orders first so that they are ready on time. If you order in the store, you may be waiting a while if there are a lot of mobile orders being fulfilled at the time. If you are in a rush, order before you get there.
The pastries and sandwiches on display at Starbucks are not for eating. They've been sitting there for a while and aren't really safe for human consumption. They are usually sitting there for days at a time or otherwise they are fake versions of the real thing.
Fresh pastries and sandwiches are usually plastic-wrapped and heated as requested. if they run out of the item you want, you won't be able to ask for the item on display. They won't give it to you.
On occasion, you may have gone to Starbucks, given them your name, only to find out they've spelled it wrong. While there certainly may be times, they simply don't know how to spell your name missing a letter or using the wrong vowel, in many cases, where the name is all wrong – it may be on purpose.
Sometimes baristas spell your name incorrectly for laughs or for the clout. When writing hundreds of names a day, it can get really boring. On top of this, incorrect names will give Starbucks some free advertising. Why? Because if the name is spelled really crazy, people will often take a picture and post it on social media and when that cup appears, you don't even need to specify the Starbucks brand.
The Frappuccino is one of the most difficult and time-consuming drinks to make on the Starbucks menu. they take such a long time they can disrupt workflow and make it take longer to fulfill everyone else's order. With that said, it's important to be considerate and order them at the right time.
Ordering a Frappuccino during rush hour is absolutely the worst time to do it. There are a lot of other orders to fill, and doing so makes it difficult for other orders to be fulfilled in a timely manner. Order your Frappuccino at a more reasonable time and think about the other people in line at the very least.
By the end of the day, or rather night, your baristas are tired. They've been work for a while and they've been working hard. By at least the half-hour before close, they are getting ready to wrap everything up and close for the night. By showing up at this time, you are messing everything up for them.
Don't be inconsiderate and show up at closing time. If you are on the road and need some caffeine, plan ahead. Think about how you are at the end of the day. Is this when you are getting most of your work done or are you tired by then and just ready to go home? Probably, the latter – something to think about.
At one particular location, Baristas cannot ask for your name. In Langley, Virginia, Baristas are instructed not to ask so that the identities of the customers are kept safe. Why, do you ask? If you aren't aware, Langley, Virginia is where the CIA headquarters are located, so much of their clientele are CIA employees.
This store is known as "Store Number 1" and it is the only store with a no-name policy. Instead of names, baristas will refer to customers by their order. So, instead of Sam, they might be referred to as "Iced Black Coffee Guy" or "Caramel Macchiato Man" – you get the picture.
