Recently, a well-known coffee establishment, called Starbucks, hired me. I’ve always dreamt about putting my blood, sweat and tears into cups of coffee. Not literally of course. However, now this dream is finally coming true and quiet honestly; it’s actually been living up to my expectations. Usually when I dream/hope to do something and I finally do it; it is not all that it’s cracked up to be. But, making coffee for people while wearing a green apron, actually has been living up to what it has been cracked up to be.
Part of me feared that working at a coffee shop would have been similar to working at the movie theater I worked at during high school. Rude customers and strict rules filled my fears as I applied to work at Starbucks. I imagined people getting violent at 7 a.m. because they haven’t had their morning coffee. However, I was surprised, and people are actually quite friendly while ordering coffee (even when it costs $5).
Since I’ve been working there; I have a few tips for customers ordering at our fine establishments.
Anticipate a receipt you’ll cry over.
It’s no secret that Starbucks’s drinks and food are a little pricey. If you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally (and financially) before you go inside, you’ll do just fine.
Anticipate your name being spelled wrong.
Your name could be Abby, but it will probably be spelled wrong. We try our hardest to spell it correctly, but we are also thinking about 100 other things like: how to make the drinks, why your phone is vibrating in your pocket, what you’re going to do after work, etc. I apologize on behalf of all the baristas that spell your name wrong. I know your name isn’t Margarrett, it’s Margaret, but my brain can only think about Mar and Garrett so that’s what I wrote.
Anticipate a long line.
Usually the line is long, and it never seems to disappear. Everyone wants their coffee, just as much as you.
Don’t be afraid to order what you want.
It is OK to order a Pumpkin Spice Latte! It’s fall now, and they’re good! Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, Iced Coffee with Pumpkin Spice sweetener, Pumpkin Scone, Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Pumpkin… it’s all-good, you can order it. Don’t worry about what the person behind you in line thinks because they are going through the same internal battle. The barista doesn’t care what you order; they just want to make it right.
Don’t be afraid to ask for the barista’s number.
Don’t be afraid: there’s not an army of basic white girls waiting for you.
Most people imagine Starbucks to be full of white girls with fall cups in hand, UGGs on their feel, scarfs around their neck and, of course, their phone in the other hand with Instagram pulled up as they edit their newest selfie. Not accurate. We have all sorts of people in our stores, and only a tiny portion is basic.
So next time you decide you want a wonderful cup of coffee, you’ll be a little more prepared for our store and confident in your decision.
