1) The cell-phone yakker. She feels the need to do her coffee transaction while carrying on a phone conversation, then continuing it at her table -- very loudly.
2) The doorway smoker. He has to duck out for a smoke, but puffs away only five feet from the door so others have to walk through his cloud.
3) The woman with the 15-word (or so) drink order. "I'd like a Venti, sugar-free, non-fat, vanilla soy, double shot, decaf, no foam, extra hot, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with light whip and extra syrup." I bet you would!
4) The newspaper thief. Starbucks isn't a library, mister! Buy the f-ing thing!
5) The messy table guy. He just can't find the energy to throw away his cup, food wrapping, his straw and the other crap he's accumulated. Baristas aren't your maid, mister!
What kind of SBUX scumbags did I miss? Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD. || Jump to the third page of comments.
Parent's who think Starbucks is a McDonald's playland. They let their kids run and screech throughout the cafe...
Posted by: Nicquisha | June 10, 2011 at 03:49 PM
The person that poops on the floor even with a clean toilet right there.
Posted by: WGM | June 10, 2011 at 03:55 PM
The people who think they're so important they cut in line.
Posted by: Customer | June 10, 2011 at 04:01 PM
The lurker that cant wait to be next so they crowd the person who is being helped to the point it makes everyone uncomfortable
Posted by: Jmo | June 10, 2011 at 04:07 PM
The pointer who, while on their cell phone, thinks that by pointing in the general direction of the menu and expects you to know what they want. And then gets annoyed when they have to interrupt their conversation to actually tell you.
The changer who orders one drink (and three people hear them) only to insist that they ordered something completely different when they get it.
Posted by: Ms. Barista | June 10, 2011 at 04:16 PM
The customer who walks up to your register and immediately thrusts a credit card in your face...BEFORE ordering...and then shakes it in the air the whole time they are ordering...
The customer who only has $100 bills to pay for their $1.67 coffee...
The customer who hands you a Starbucks card and says "I don't know how much is on this..." WELL NEITHER DO I...
The customer who pulls up to the drive thru speaker, interrupts the barista's greeting, yells their order (usually a skinny vanilla latte...), pulls forward before you can confirm the order with them, then gets mad when there's something wrong with their drink...
Posted by: baroosta | June 10, 2011 at 04:17 PM
The barista rearranging the cold drink case when the line is out the door.
Posted by: Herman | June 10, 2011 at 04:22 PM
The customer complaining that there are no more San Pellegrinos in the cold drink case because the barista was dealing with the line out the door...
Posted by: baroosta | June 10, 2011 at 04:48 PM
No one's more annoying than the cell phone yakker, but there is another place in hell reserved for folks who decide the best place to hang out in the store is at the condiment bar.
Posted by: DF | June 10, 2011 at 04:55 PM
The customer that tells you that their drink is very difficult when, it's not...
Posted by: ashley | June 10, 2011 at 04:55 PM
The customer who insists that a single venti VBF is supposed to be white...
and the customer who loudly assumes everyone on the floor knows her drink so she orders "her coffee" at the register and gets upset when she gets regular coffee instead of a decaf SFCD soy latte.
Posted by: that guy | June 10, 2011 at 05:57 PM
I get annoyed at the request for "the usual." I work am's, mid's, and closes. I'm not even trying to memorize that many people's drinks because I just cannot.
My least favorite customers are definitely the phone yackers. They always seem put out that they have to stop their conversation to place an order.
Posted by: spence | June 10, 2011 at 06:56 PM
OOoohhhh yeah the people who pay with $100 bill for their $1.50 coffee and then get mad when I start handing over one's and five's. Yeah they are a pain.
Posted by: Barista Ben | June 10, 2011 at 08:16 PM
The customer who places their order and walks away without paying because they think the line is taking to long.
The cell phone talker is the worst.
Posted by: J P | June 10, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Oh... couple more -
The customer who tells you their drink without mentioning the size. then proceeds to hold their hands apart to show you what size. Seems like they always want a 5 gallon bucket or a 2 oz cup.
The mom group who meet up in line then find placing an order a real inconvenience to their "Hilarious" conversation.
Posted by: J P | June 10, 2011 at 08:53 PM
The customer who claims to have a serious heart condition, needs her frappucino to only be made with one pump of frap roast, sends her drink back saying it tastes too much like caffeine and tells me, a 20 year old nursing student who suggested to not have coffee at all because it could be dangerous, that I should " shut my mouth little girl.". Oh and did I mention, she came back the next day for a frappucino made with the regular amount of frap roast!!
Posted by: ELo | June 10, 2011 at 09:15 PM
J P - I HATE the mom groups. By all means, be a mom group, but don't hold up the rest of the world.
Posted by: M | June 10, 2011 at 09:34 PM
The customer that throws their money at you and expects you to pick it up like a stripper...
The customer that has waited in line for 5 minutes and finally gets to the register and doesn't know what they want.
The customer with the $100 bill for a $2.50 latte and gets annoyed that we don't have anything other than 5s, 1s and quarters to give him in change (I got one of those tonight).
And finally, the nasty customer who feels that they have to yell at new baristas when they don't know "her" drink.
These people push me to the edge.
Posted by: Guat.my.mala | June 10, 2011 at 09:56 PM
THe customer who orders a drip coffee; you ask if they want room, they say "no" and proceed to pour out coffee in the condiment garbage can!!!!!
Posted by: 108represent | June 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM
I go back to work on Tuesday after 5 months off. What am I in for?
Posted by: mnmsr4me | June 10, 2011 at 11:07 PM
mom groups are the WORST! ladies, stay home and clean your house, or take your child to the library. you really don't need to hang out with the other lard ass moms in Starbucks.
Posted by: Miranda | June 11, 2011 at 12:36 AM
The customers who are defensive about Starbucks sizes. "I speak four languages and unfortunately Starbucksese isn't one of them."
Since words and reading are tricky for these folks, I like to have them point to the cup they want. ;)
Posted by: mwb | June 11, 2011 at 03:50 AM
People making ghetto lattes and such...
"but they do it for me at the othe store"
"I don't have my cup, but I was here earlier, can I get a a refill?"
"the person in line behind me got their drink first, give me a coupon!"
"I in all my customer wisdom, know the full scope of your job and environment and therefore will bark orders at you, treat you like dirt, take as many free things from you as I can, ignore whatever you have to say, make a complete mess, and then, even if you are able to oblige my every whim, I'm still going to call and complain about the way you treated me."
The last one might be a little embellished
Posted by: siberiabux | June 11, 2011 at 05:39 AM
the customer who completely ignores the order speaker in the drive thru....and the voice asking what they would like...during morning rush...then arriving at the window to order four drinks....and getting mad they aren't ready faster....really?
The customer screaming at new baristas "I WANT KATHYS DRINK!!!!" and refusing to tell the said barista what that actually is...
The customer....who does questionable things in our bathroom....and leaves it to be cleaned up by innocent baristas...
The customer....who after receiving their drink on the handoff plane says..."ohh...i wanted that iced"
Posted by: midamsm | June 11, 2011 at 05:57 AM
I think I had everyone of these customers yesterday!! I was also counting out the ones, to the jerk that gave me a $100 early in the AM, and he says rather snotty,"Don't you have any $20's"? I have to tell him no, we don't have access to those sir.
Posted by: lattelady | June 11, 2011 at 06:28 AM
The customers who refuse to believe that you really honestly have no control over the AC or knowledge of how to fix it if its broken. Well sir I dunno, I really do like my heat-exhausted face looking flush and sweaty as I deal with customers, why should I turn the AC on?!
Posted by: frapatte | June 11, 2011 at 09:33 AM
on another note i was on vacation in az and saw an ad for refreashers in a can.Anybody have any info on them?
Posted by: nematode | June 11, 2011 at 09:50 AM
a little off topic, but our DM, had us remove all straws from the comdiment bar ?
i guess i have gone crazy, even our customers are like "why ?" , could someone please expain why that would be a good business strategy ?
any other stores that have this "all straws behind the counter strategy ?
Posted by: abe | June 11, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Remove all the straws? Thats nuts. Maybe its a ploy to connect even more? We have our straws out on the condiment bar, but I still have to hand one to about 40% of the people who want one, since they can't be bothered to look. On a side note, does it bother anyone else when people drink hot drinks, especially drip or americano, with a straw?
Posted by: Jmo | June 11, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Why was my post removed from this post?? It was the 11th post yesterday, where is it gone?
Posted by: MarkDavid | June 11, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Yeah, the straw drinkers for hot bevs bug me. I actually had one yell at me because the straw melted in their americano. I was extremely professional, but all I could think was "what did you EXPECT to happen, those straws are not for hot drinks."
Also, it's not too often, but people who order a chai tea, and then get pissed when I ask if they want the tea or the latte. Yes it is in fact a type of tea, that's why we put the word 'tea' in the name of the drink.
And people who get mad that I don't say the drink the way they ordered it. Um, I didn't take your order, and I'm calling the drink a grande skinny vanilla latte because that's what it's called here. I don't care if you ordered a medium sugar free vanilla skim milk latte.
And my all time favorite is when the customer asks at the hand off plane "is this my drink?" I don't actually know. What did you order, and is your name on the cup?
Posted by: Jazzhands | June 11, 2011 at 11:35 AM
How about the baristas who cannot get the drink right. Even though it is written correctly on the cup. Or the barista who echoes the drink correctly back to the customer, but somehow either wrote it wrong ON the cup or the secondary barista cannot bother to actually read what the first barista wrote.
Or the barista who, when given the simplest order, cannot bother to make it to spec. E.g., Iced venti Americano. And the barista fills teh cup with ice, drops the shots on teh ice, then fills it with water.
See this is FUN!
Posted by: Jeff Tom | June 11, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Oh let's not forget all of the baristas who have to be reminded to ring up the personal cup discount. Or when they ask "do you want room" on your drip coffee, manage to leave 1+ inches of space.
or the baristas who get bent out of shape oninternet forums because customes will not tip them. For pressing a few buttons. And handing over a drink.
Toodles!
Posted by: Jeff Tom | June 11, 2011 at 03:27 PM
-The customer in drive thru during a torential downpour that leaves their windshield wipers going full tilt and doesn't seem to notice/care that you're getting SOAKED as a result
-The customer that can't be bothered to respond your greeting/speak to you like you're human (IE. Barista-"Good morning! How are you today?" Customer-"Yeah gimme a venti coffee.")
-The customer that leaves garbage on the handoff plane less than 2 feet away from the garbage can or on the condiment stand less than 2 INCHES from the garbage hole
-The customer/barista tip box drama: I don't think baristas should get upset when people don't tip...it is supplimental income after all..but the customers offended by the option to tip don't make anymore sense. Either tip or don't. No one is going to judge you for it
Posted by: Double Tall | June 11, 2011 at 03:54 PM
in regards to the straw thing - the only thing i can think of is perhaps they want you just handing straws with all iced beverages - which is the expectation. Maybe the DM got some annoyed customers who didn’t like having to hunt for straws or couldn’t bother to look for them?
None of the stores I’ve worked at have ever had straws anywhere but behind the handoff counter but in pretty visible sight. We just hand everyone a straw with their cold beverages and if they ask, we give them one for whatever other reason they want. I’ve never had an issue or felt like it slowed me down so maybe the DM felt it wasn’t that big a deal and wanted sugar packets or something else in that space?
Posted by: Barista Ben | June 11, 2011 at 04:24 PM
I've been drinking my coffees through a straw for more than 40 years, never had one melt yet. If the barista doesn't like it, too bad, it's my choice.
Why do I do it? Because I'd like to actually see the ROAD while I'm driving, not the top of the cup; because it keeps coffee from spilling at every bump, and because it's a lot easier to stir the coffee with a straw than with one of those little sticks.
Posted by: Bernie | June 11, 2011 at 05:25 PM
The Customer who complain about the bathroom after they just got done blowing it up
Coffee Refills with cups that are days old
Posted by: K-CUP | June 11, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Sweaty boob money.
Posted by: Patrick | June 11, 2011 at 06:03 PM
@Jeff Tom - With an attitude like that, you will keep being treated that way too! If it's such a simple job, then why get upset when the "simpletons" can't get your drink right? Maybe you should just expect to always get FU%#ED, because if you were my customer, I would F&$# you all...day...long...until the decaf beans run out of my hopper!!
GOOD DAY!
Posted by: baroosta | June 11, 2011 at 06:15 PM
This open thread is amusing; from complaining, to the bathroom, and then to the decaf bean's hopper.
Heh.
Posted by: Dave | June 11, 2011 at 07:31 PM
A straw won't melt in an americano. Sorry, but that never happened.
And, anyway, who cares if a customer puts a straw in his or her hot drink? How is that annoying?
Posted by: waltie | June 11, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Its not annoying to me, I kinda laugh to myself because in the back of my mind I envision people at home drinking coffee from a mug with one of those crazy swirly straws. Won't I don't like is people acting all offended when I don't hand them a straw with an extra hot latte. If they ask ill gladly give them one.
Posted by: Jmo | June 11, 2011 at 07:46 PM
- The customers who order drinks with half a Splenda packet;
- The weekend cyclists who hand you dollar bills dripping with sweat. Totally disgusting;
- The women with purses the size of a suitcase who just can't seem to find any money;
- People who pay in coins only;
- and, it's been said before....the jerks who order while on their cell phones....I interrupt their conversations as often as possible while they're at the counter.
Posted by: Iced Venti Girl | June 11, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Customers who HOG the ENTIRED condiment bar, and take forever to dress their drink
Posted by: Hipsterdufus | June 11, 2011 at 11:07 PM
last minute customers... grrrr
Posted by: stan | June 11, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Anyone that thinks that they are "cool", "hip", and appear
wealthy just because they go to Starbucks. They think that they are in some sort of yuppie club and a member of the "in crowd". You could switch their coffee with McDonald's and they'd never know.
Posted by: Brian Johnson | June 12, 2011 at 06:40 AM
I politely great the Moms/Cell Phone's (both oblivious and the worst) twice and if I still get no response I move on to the next customer who does realizes:
There were 20 people in line when you got here.
There are 20 people in line behind you now.
There have been 20 people in line every morning for the last 4 years when you come in, and yes I know your order but you are going to ask for a petite vanilla scone just to spite me if I neglect to ask you if you would like anything else, and yes you are going to have to reload your card because you only put 5 dollars a day on it at 8am....Have a nice day :)
Posted by: B | June 12, 2011 at 07:07 AM
While there are some crazy stories here (sweaty boob money? - disgusting!), what this amounts to is a bunch of folks complaining about having to do their jobs.
The folks that work for Starbucks do it electively -- no one is forcing you to take this job. That said, if you're not going to do it well, quit. There are tons of folks who need the work and wouldn't complain about doing their jobs.
And, remember: the customers you're complaining about probably don't care about your complaints, but without them you wouldn't have jobs. No customers = no sales = no jobs.
You need your customers more than they need you.
Posted by: gc | June 12, 2011 at 08:09 AM
Only 2% of the population act this way and yes they suck but most people are ok and you dont need a tip to do your job only if yo go out of your way to help me will I tip you
Posted by: Ezb | June 12, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Wonderful. I've really enjoyed reading this stuff. As an Englishman who's lived and worked in the US for 13 years now, I drink tea, so don't have any of this American angst, from either side of the coounter.
Maybe if Starbucks actually served coffee, rather than all the mixed up muck they do have, things would be easier for you poor babies.
Posted by: Bob Smith | June 12, 2011 at 09:42 AM