Is this true?: Starbucks now requires baristas to ask customers their names

This became policy in September, according to this story. ''We have found that customers are pleasantly surprised to be greeted by name," says Jennifer Guebert, the regional marketing director of Starbucks New England. I agree with the author of this story who writes:

When I go to Starbucks, I'm there for tea, and I'd rather not worry about some stalker (or serial killer) overhearing my name.The new policy also seems to foster, at best, a steady flow of unction; at worst, it strikes me as a faux, even empty, attempt at neighborliness. I go to the same shop several times a week, often more than once a day. I see the same employees.

And yet, despite having written my name on many, many cups, no one recalls it.

Which I don't mind.

What's annoying is the impression of knowing me that using my name gives. Like smarmy, back-patting car salesmen, who oh-so-subtly ingratiate themselves by repeating your name. Instead of feeling warm and homey, I feel robbed of a treasured pleasure of living in a big city: anonymity. (Boston Globe/reg. req.)

Comments

[Qaj]

Not that I like giving my name - I'd always give a fake one as a customer and as a barista I just refused to participate at all - but here in Miami it would be a refreshing change to have the baristas acknowledge one's life force at all.

[Ruben]

I worked at sbux' for 4 months and, from the starbucks angle having the barista know a customer's name does make the customer feel a bit more welcome and helps with order efficiency.

From the customer's perspective, in New England, you'll find a higher percentage of people who will feel intruded upon, or who may not want that initial level of comfort with the barista.

In the end even the most distant customer grows to appreciate receiving a beverage from someone who knows their name + fav drink, versus the alternative.

[Tom]

I know its kind of late to be jumping into this "name thing," but I just found this site. Love it btw because its customers and employees involved... anyway, this might sound lame, but I drink black coffee, plain-and-simple. I'm a Starbucks junkie. Love it but because I don't order anything from the bar, the Baristas don't ask my name. They are wearing name tags, I know there name but they don't know mine. They know ME but not by name. I'm the "tall dark roast no room guy."

[shifty shift]

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, of all people, came into our little New England store. She was positively lovely and extremely friendly. I asked her her name for her cup as a joke (because I obviously knew it) and she answered, in the manner of a celebrity who's pretending not to be proud that she's been recognized, "Well, I don't know if you recognize me, but, well, I'm Ronald Reagan."

We had a nice laugh about it. That's my best names-on-cups story, and a thousand times nicer than the nasty women who get mad about the whole thing.

[BettyDoll]

I used to work at the Starbucks in Malibu, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica where celebrity customers (who have a legitmate reason not to want their names shouted across a crowed coffee house) are comonplace. They apprciate being recognized for their favorite drink if they're regulars but most days its wasn't unusual to have 10 "Scott"s in row. Bottom line, if you don't want people to know your real name, don't give them your real name, there's no reason to rip apart the poor college kid behind the counter with your self righteous tongue lashing. And if you want to hold it against her for maybe not being quite so genuine in her perkiness at 7am...chances are shes been there since 4:30 so cut her some slack.

[BobBarista]

I don't work for Starbucks, but I work for a competitor. We have to ask for names and I always ask for "a name" not the customers name or "your name". While few recognize this distinction, the ones that don't want to reveal their name usually do. My favorie customers are "next" and "K".

[Mike Hunt]

For some reason the barristas always get made at me when I tell them my name. I don't get it.

[jwm]

I am a bit late in seeing this post, and i am not a regular writer. I do not like Starbucks, but not because of the friendly people who work there. I prefer to spend my money at local stores if I can. Local small stores are friendly to there customers, but not phoney friendly. I will stay with local stores when i can.

[jabanga]

personally, i think the reason they roled out names on cups in new england was simply to try to get more 5 star legendary scores on snapshots than genuinely trying to give more legendary service. simple: recognizing customers by name is counted in that metric. doing it to prevent drink swiping is a legitimate reason to ask for names and i can also understand wanting to have a uniform policy. but i see hundreds and hundreds of regular customers every day and i simply cannot remember all their names and i hate having to ask regular customers for their names over and over. it makes the whole thing awkward and decidedly not legendary.

[PC]

This is common practice at Starbucks Mexico, ever since they opened they've asked for customers names. Never heard of people complaining. They often get the names wrong, and its just funny. I am now living in London and have yet to be asked for my name at my local starbucks, I do miss that part, seemed more personal.

[Kiki]

Yes, Starbucks uses names to make customers feel like regulars and to make the experience a lil bit more fun and friendly! Also, Starbucks uses names so customers don't take someone else's beverage. For godness sake....Someone orders a venti caramel frappuccino and they take the first drink that comes out... even if it's a triple tall extra dry cappuccino. How dare they come back and say, "Uh, this is not what I ordered!" So as inconvenient or ridiculous as some may think it is... it's actually quite fantastic and I wish every Starbucks would use names.

[Tracy]

I've had enough of this Name Calling! For months now ... let's say six ... I've been frequenting Starbucks for my favorite morning beverage. Every day, the same group of people at the same Starbucks ask for my name. I cheerfully provide it and, yet, every day they ask for my name again. Sure, it might help them, but it frustrates me to no end. If you want my name as your customer, get to know it so you can greet me (isn't that just good customer service??). Finally, today, I had it. When asked my name, I said, "You tell me." The manager (who is there every day!) was stunned! She finally said, "So what IS your name." I provided it (for the umpteenth time). It's high time I quit spending the nearly $4 every day ... I'll give them another shot next week. I am not confident, though. Well, got that off my chest......