Starbucks...immature staff insult customers! Screwed priorities off-putting...

Times must be tough!

One upon a time, if you waltzed into Starbucks for a piping hot cup of java, you'd be treated to a smile and professional service.

Today, a customer should count themselves lucky if they don't get insulted, particularly if they zip into the Starbucks location in WeHo (across from 24-Hour fitness).

For starters, the barristas there go to great lengths to find novel ways to keep homeless people away (and out of) the comfortable environs of their precious little cafe in gay gulch.

In fact, I was so shocked at the way they mistreated the less fortunate, that I penned a post on the issue a few months ago along with a consumer alert.

Post:  06/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/06/starbucksdown-on-homeless-nope-no.html

Obviously,  management at Starbucks must have missed the searing critique, because not much as changed.

In fact, now the immature barristas at the leading (but slipping quickly) java outlet appear to have their sights on customers who pop into the outlet for a quick pick-me-up and pastry, too.

The staffers I am referring to are like a bunch of wide-eyed kids with their noses up against the window of the candy store anxious to get their grubby hands on the goodies in the window.

But, the spoils are just beyond their reach.

Tough ti**y!

So, they vent their anger on the privileged, to retaliate.

One gentleman - who drives a $300,000.00 Rolls Royce and is married to a well-known celebrity - is fodder for a bevy of cruel jokes they hurl his way (he, none the wiser).

The little green-eyed monsters tend to mistreat regulars, as well, simply because they are jealous of the objects of their disdain who drive up in fancy sportscars and the lastest fashion trends.

 I witnessed one pathetic Asian employee (the short plump one, not the affected Queen) walk away from the cashier when he spied a customer strolling in his direction to the counter.

The snub was obvious; in fact, another employee was forced to step in awkwardly and try to smooth over the troubled waters.

What prompted this rude inappropriate conduct? 

Pride, no doubt.

The dizzy barrista thinks he's too good to wait on some folks.

If that's the case, bozzo, take a hike!

Oh yes, the employees here are excited to pick up their paychecks each week, but when it comes to actually working for the cold-hard cash (i.e., waiting on people)  - if they had their druthers - they'd let 'em eat cake.

One nutso staffer who works on the counter (well, sort of!) tends to plop herself down alongside a customer or two unannounced during the course of her shift on a regular basis, in a bold-faced effort (I expect) to fool herself into thinking she's not actually toiling away for a couple of bucks an hour.

Ouch!

Consequently, patrons are forced to wait patiently until the little Princess gets off her fat a** and shifts her slovenly bod into higher gear.

Even still, she's a dreary mess!

A lot of these kids stream into town from the boondocks somewhere seeking their fortune & fame.

Unfortunately, they are a bunch of losers with no talent; consequently, the Hollywood dream never pans out.

So, they take it out on the customers, who they envy!

Bottom line, Starbucks employees in WeHo will shun customers who expound views they disagree with, wear the wrong gym shorts, support social or political causes they don't  hanker to, you name it..

Golly, I thought that when an individual worked for a company like Starbucks, they were reqiuired to leave all their personal "baggage" at the door and treat each customer equally (not discriminate unjustly at whim).

So, I called management at Starbucks, to verify their policy.

Right off-the-bat, a customer service rep assured me that they did not support the kind of inappropriate conduct I enlightened her about.

"All customers should be treated equally. You're right."

At this juncture, the pleasant spokesperson asssured me the District Manager would be having a few words with the  employees in question with the specific aim of getting their priorities straight.

Turns out - that being a squealer - can be profitable!

She promised to mail me a couple of free coupons for beverages on the house!

I trust that she'll also remember to inform those spoiled brats that customers never tip lazy barristas who "give attitude".

After all, no one in their right mind should reward insulting behaviour, eh?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Starbucks...immature barista chats about pooh & gossips that male java-drinkers pi** on toilet seat!

Prissy Miss @ Starbucks prefers Vatican flush treatments!

I swung the door wide-open and breezed into the aesthetically-pleasing Starbucks Cafe in WeHo (across from 24-hour fitness) when I immediately caught site of a Barista gossipping with a male patron.

Casually, I strolled up to the counter a dozen or so steps away, where I waited patiently for the dizzy broad to wrap up her acid-tongued put-downs targeted at clueless customers in her midst.

Just as the scatter-brained twenty-something gal approached me - she half-turned - and spied a male patron exit the women's restroom.

At this juncture, she uttered-up an unflattering quip about ignorant fellas inclined to take a whiz in the restroom reserved for "Women", as evidenced by a ubiquitous plaque on the door.

I was taken aback.

Over the years - it has been acceptable practice for guys who frequented the "gay-dominated" Starbucks - to relieve themselves in the one provided for those of the female persuasion in the event the "John" for the Dudes was occupied.

To add a bit of levity to the awkward moment, I laughingly asked her (and a male employee who had just sidled up next to her behind the counter) if she ever noticed that the water closet (no pun intended) for the ladies smelled a lot nicer.

I noted that one employee surmised it was due to the fact that perfumed women drifted in-and-out of the cramped space throughout the day - the end result being - that a waft or two of the expensive scents lingered on for a brief spat after the skirts long departed.

Without batting-an-eye or skipping a beat, she retorted:

"No, it's because we (females?) don't pee on the toilet or the tiles like men do."

Before I could offer up a defense, she rattled on with her distasteful diatribe.

"And, we don't pooh in public, either."

I was aghast!

Was she insinuating that customers actually took a squat outside of Starbucks and let fly with a turd or two on the busy traffic-filled WeHo streets just a hop-and-a-skip away?

"Who's been poohing in public," I quizzed.

Her retort was quick.

"One day I witnessed a guy go into the men's room with a newspaper in his hand and he didn't come out 'til about twenty minutes later," she huffed.

Before I could respond, she continued with her anal chat.

"We don't pooh in public."

Now, it suddenly dawned on me why she was getting her sanitary napkin in a flap.

When potty-mouth spat out the phrase - "poohing in public" - she was obviously inferring that women who flounce into a restroom at a Cafe or restaurant avoid plunking their precious tushes down on the toilet seat to take a dump.

Do they wait until they've crossed the thresh hold at home, before letting-her-rip on the throne?

If that's the case, why doesn't Starbucks just yank out the bowls in the shi**er, to economize?

Before the annoying Barista opened her yap again, I exited with a grin, then quickly sauntered over to the side counter for a bit of cream for my piping-hot tea.

Drats!

The pitcher was empty.

It suddenly dawned on me that if this bitch-on-wheels wasn't so hell-bent on kibitzing shamelessly with customers and intent on getting down on her knees to sniff the edge of the toilet seat for splashes of pee (with the ultimate aim of pointing an accusing finger at a suspect male patron) that she might (OMG) be capable of waiting on a customer promptly - in addition to - properly stocking the sidebars without difficulty or delay.

But - that would require a modicum of common sense, intelligence and professionalism - sadly lacking in this poor excuse for a sentient being.

Obviously, too much Starbucks java rots the brain!

Big Trouble in Little Tokyo

There is no escape starbucky!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Starbucks...baristas short-changed. Tip issue taints image!

Image of greed and questionable labor practice!

On the heels of news in recent months that sales are down at Starbucks - the java King was hit with another whammy this past week - where it hurts the most.

In the tip jar!

After reviewing pleadings in a class-action suit filed against the Seattle-based corporate giant, a Superior Court Judge in San Diego found that the company's policy of collecting tips and divvying out a portion of the baristas' spoils to supervisors and managers, was wrongful.

In her ruling Judge Patricia Cowett issued a directive that Starbucks cough the tip money back up with interest and that the practice of siphoning off funds to management stop.

In response, Starbucks vowed to appeal on the grounds that:

"The decision today in our view represents an extreme example of an abuse of the class-action procedures in California."

I disagree.

I have a number of friends who toil as professional waiters in expensive restaurants.

Usually they work together as a team and at the end of the night the tips are shared among the waiters, busboys, wine stewards and bartenders on duty.

The Starbucks practices are outrageous.

According to court pleadings, money collected in tip jars is stowed away in safes daily and divided up each week based on the staff's work schedule.

But - get this - supervisors and managers receive a portion of the tips!

It appears that instead of paying their management teams a proper salary, the coffee-maker has opted to supplement the incomes of the management teams off the backs of the baristas and the sweat of their brows.

Disreputable, at best!

But, what of the customers?

They have a right to be outraged, too.

Personally, I tend to tip based on the quality of service that day. And, if I plunk some cash into the jar, I expect that it be passed on to the person I am giving the nod to.

It irks me - as it does many others - that some employee down the line I've had no interaction with is receiving a portion of that tip money.

Moreover, to hold the tips is unconscionable!

Generally, waiters, bartenders, and service people rely on the cash flow each day to make ends meet.

How dare the managers lock up the funds and make 'em wait!

If Starbucks appeals the ruling, then consumers should boycot.

Otherwise, when will the greed end?

Yes, Java Devour - that new upstart down the street - is starting to look mighty appealing.

In the evening - I often saunter in there for an organic tea - then slip into a deep leather armchair and pen a post or two.

What do I find most appetizing about this little detour past Starbucks?

The understated decor, the flattering lighting, and - most of all - their inclination to provide a relaxing ambiance that is relatively commercial-free.

Java Detour entices!