A history teacher, a writer, and an English teacher walk into a coffee shop. Just kidding, they made one. Attracting coffee addicts and UGG-wearers since 1971, Starbucks has easily become a popular and well-known coffee shop within the 44 years of operation. Personally speaking, Starbucks has saved my life and I believe just about every college student who has experienced finals. So if you are a Starbucks lover, you owe your life to a Mr. Bowker, Baldwin, and Seigl. But if you are a true Starbucks fanatic, that is common knowledge. As a barista and firm lover of the 'Bux, here are some common myths people mistake about Starbucks and it's partners (employees).
Myth #1: The Secret Menu.
As much as I hate to break to be the bearer of bad news, there is no secret menu that the partners are hiding from our customers. When I first started working at Starbucks, I had a customer ask for an item off the Secret Menu. When I said she would have to give us the ingredients because baristas aren’t taught Secret Menu items, she lowered her voice and said she wouldn’t tell anyone I spilled the beans. Yes, baristas play around with ingredients and a few decided to make a webpage with some concoctions, but I do not know how to make a Thin Mint Frappucino. Besides, with all the extra additions, your drink will end up costing a ridiculous amount of money and take a longer time to finish.
Every time you order a Secret Menu Frappuccino, a whipped cream canister dies.
Myth #2: We purposely spell your name wrong.
I promise we don’t intentionally spell your name wrong — most of the time. Waking up to open at 4:30 am will cause anyone’s brain to be a little fuzzy when spelling. If you add that on top of spelling hundreds of names, making sure the coffee is still fresh, and all the background noise going on (no, really, it's crazy loud on the other side of the counter), spelling my own name becomes a challenge. Now, I will admit that I do play around more in the afternoon when the morning rush has died down, but I always apologize if I know I butchered someone’s name. If I purposely spell a name wrong, I'm probably just feeling a little sassy.
I mean, let's be honest.
Myth #3: We aren’t doing anything with our lives or we are all struggling artists.
This is the most insulting jab thrown at me when I have disgruntled customers. To begin with, a majority of the (amazing) people I work with are putting themselves through school or working more than one job. Personally, I am working multiple jobs to pay for nursing school. One of my partners just left to do her residency in Baltimore to become a doctor and another left for nursing school. But even if I should choose to stay at Starbucks, I am doing society a huge favor. I am making coffee. Not one of my partners is lazy, uneducated or not driven. We are just trying to pay the bills and make our customers happy!
Paying the bills in $1 bills.
Myth #4: We are unskilled workers.
My training was a span of three days during which I had to learn everything I needed to be successful as a barista at Starbucks. Six months later, I'm still not sure I have everything down. The amount of multi-tasking needed to work at Starbucks is a skill on its own. On top of that, learning how to make the thousands of drink combinations (and doing it perfectly in a rushed amount of time) and connecting with customers is a skill that Starbucks partners have perfected. On a daily basis, we have insults hurled at us, and yet we come back the next day like nothing happened. Starbucks partners are the most resilient kind of people I have met, and it is truly inspiring.
Look how beautiful this is!
Myth #5: Starbucks is an awful job.
Starbucks has taught me some incredible lessons in interacting with people. I’ve always thought of myself as a people person, and Starbucks has prepared me for dealing with angry people, a skill set needed for the medical field. Though I don’t enjoy being publicly berated by upset customers, it has given me thicker skin and the opportunity to handle difficult situations in a respectful manner. Besides the lessons I’ve learned at Starbucks, there are also the numerous benefits to being a partner. Partners can get different kinds of health insurance, start on their 401K, be given financial aid if needed, and even receive free schooling online through Arizona State University. Without a doubt, Starbucks looks out for their partners and wants them to succeed in life, even after they're no longer with the company.
#tobeapartner
Myth #6: We want you to make passes at us.
I can’t tell you how many people have inappropriately made passes at me while I am working. For example, an older man thought he was being clever when he said, “I want a tall blonde, but I’ll settle for a short brunette.” We didn’t take this job so we could be hit on, and honestly, I’m more focused on paying my bills than coming up with a snarky rebuttal. If you want someone to entertain you, I suggest you go somewhere the employees aren't up at 4:30 in the morning.
Don't be like this guy.
Myth #7: We don’t care about our customers.
I love my customers. My regulars are the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure to meet, and on top of that, they care about me, too. When my house was robbed, one of my regulars asked me how I was doing, if there was anything he could do for me or my family, and then prayed over me. Though the gesture doesn’t seem large, seeing such kindness after a traumatic event leaves an incredible feeling. I do have customers I don’t necessarily enjoy, but I make it my goal to have them leave the store smiling.
I never leave work not happy.
Without a doubt, working at Starbucks has been a roller coaster I am happy to ride. With any job, there are ups and downs, but it only matters who you ride with. The people I work with are lifelong friends and definitely the best. Just like anyone else, we are humans who make mistakes and have feelings. And despite what people say, we really just want to make our customers happy, one cup of coffee at a time.
