Starbucks Barista

Starbucks Barista

Green Siren

Central, TX

Female, 26

After working all day in a cubicle, I'd spend my nights as your friendly, neighborhood Starbucks barista! I remembered your name, made each drink exactly to your specifications and did it all with a bright smile. I've served celebrities, worked both drive thru & cafe stores, worked every holiday and have kept the customers from knowing about all the craziness that goes on behind the scenes... until now. Ask me anything.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

164 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on June 12, 2016

Best Rated

Do you consider Starbucks a good company to work for?

Asked by Alanna over 12 years ago

Yes. I would work for them again if given the opportunity.

What temperature is Starbucks coffee served at, and is it for legal reasons because of the ‘hot coffee’ lawsuit?

Asked by Pete over 12 years ago

The brewed coffee is served at about 180 degrees, while anything with steamed milk is around 150 - 170 degrees. Hot water for tea is at 200 degrees. I don't know that it's necessarily because of 'hot coffee' since every coffee shop I've worked in uses similar temperatures (including internationally).

Did working there turn you into a coffee fiend (or turn you off altogether)?

Asked by Joelle over 12 years ago

My first job in a coffee shop really hooked me on coffee... I couldn't get enough AND I became a total snob about it, so I actually refused to go to Starbucks at all until I began working there. Now I love Starbucks! Maybe I drank the green kool-aid, but really, it's because I know what I'm getting (a consistent, well-made drink) and the corporation puts their money where their mouth is.

What is it about caramel sauce that makes it such a pain to make a drink with?

Asked by Olsen, Jimmy about 12 years ago

It's really thick and difficult to work with. It just adds a lot of extra time to making a drink, which can add up when you have a LOT of extra caramel sauce drinks.

Do the employees get to choose the music that plays in your store, or does corporate determine that? If the latter, does hearing the same stuff over and over again drive you nuts?

Asked by Cha cha cha... over 12 years ago

Corporate dictates the playlists but we can choose them. There are usually 10-15 at any given time with a wide variety of musical styles. They also add a new one every few weeks or so.

But no, it doesn't drive me nuts because I only noticed it when the store was really quiet... Which is almost never (perks of working in a high volume store!). The worst is around Christmas though, when you are forced to play the Christmas playlist at certain times.

Is it true that Starbucks employees get full health benefits? How many hours per week are required to qualify for that?

Asked by Milynn over 12 years ago

Yes, that is true! As long as you hit 240 hours per quarter (about 20 hours/week) then you qualify.

Is it true that Starbucks has happy employees because they treat them so well? Is there anything you think they could be doing to treat employees better?

Asked by Soldier-of-4chun over 12 years ago

As far as the way Starbucks as a corporation treats it's employees, yes, I think they do a pretty good job. It's hard to find a minimum wage job that will give you full benefits for 20 hours a week, plus the extra perks like a free lb of coffee and stock options. Also,depending on management you can have a pretty flexible schedule. Personally, my biggest gripe was that I was paid minimum wage for an inordinate amount of stress from management and customers. But I wouldn't have left for a similar position in quick serve or retail and I would still work for Starbucks again!