Five reasons your barista hates you

• number 4 isn't true at all every coffee shop I've ever been has had the tall grande venti cup sizes.... also i'm pretty sure you can get a caramel macchiato at any coffee shop and they know what it is.....

• Actually we both make minimum wage thank u.

• Tipping??? Why don't htey try getting the order right and get PAYING customers through the drive-thru line quick instead of trying to come up with some stupid humorous way of saying "Goooooooood morniiiiing and welcome to Starbucks......can I get you ......" It takes forever for them to get to the point of "what can I get you". I thought we were the customers. The "Barista's" should just be concerned about getting the drink right the first time and getting it to their customers quick. We're not in the drive-thru to be your friend. We're there to get coffee and be on our way!!! Idiots!!

• next time your rude to a barista while ordering your 5 shot grande latte, don't expect it to be caffinated. c:

• Ok, so as a server at a restaurant, here is my perspective. One. It is good to tip, but not just for the sake of a tip. For instance, when I order more than one drink, and there's only one person making them, I tip, because it took them time to make everything for me. When I go through a family owned coffee stand, I tip to support the family because they're always very friendly. When I go to starbucks, they usually have one person take my order and two work on making my drink. I typically don't worry about it then, because not a lot went into it. Two. If I don't know what I want right away, and I want to check the prices on the menu, don't get angry at me. That's just childish. Three. If you're going to tell me you hate me because I was texting while I told you what I wanted for my drink, you can bet you're not getting a tip. Those are for the kind baristas who actually care about you. Four. To be fair, if a barista is doing a lot of work, she does deserve a tip. Don't ever stiff just to stiff. That is rude.

• Unskilled? Hmmmm, I'd really enjoy seeing you shoot hot air bubbles of milk all over your face. If you don't appreciate what we do and don't want to tip us, then make your extra dry sugar free large soy capiccino at home, and good luck. Oh and for you black coffee drinkers, it's cool, I don't expect a dollar from you, but your extra fifteen cents does add up at the end of the day.

• And another side note on small medium large, everywhere you go it's 12, 16, and 20 oz. So don't waste more time by asking what the cups look like, you want a small order a small you want a large order a large.

• I've been at Starbucks for about three months and I'm actually offended at some of those comments. I'd say the hardest part of the job (past memorizing drink ingredient quantities during my two week training) is dealing with customers. When they're pleasant or even personality-less and neutral, it's fine, but you have no idea what kind of damper it puts on my day to have a customer who is purposely rude just because they can be. The service industry is HARD, and I, like most of the people I work with, am not degree-less. In fact, I sweat 8 hours a day making your coffee so I can pay for my college and earn my degree in English and eventually teach high school. So take your judgment and suck it.

• Back in the day I used to work really hard behind the counter making all sorts of concoctions for people. Sometimes it was really simple and fast, and other times it took more than 5 minutes, sometimes more if your "dairy" needed replenishing. The line would be out the door some days and it didn�t matter if it was mid summer or the dead of winter, there was always a wait. And yeah, I remember having to go thru weeks of training, just to learn how to use the machines and complicated equipment, and it still took me several more months to get things right. We would even have to learn how to take apart, clean every single tiny piece of equipment, and have it reassembled perfectly before the customers could be served. Some of these machine cost over $10K, and if you didn�t set them up right, then they could easily breakdown. The company took the craftsmanship very seriously and we made it an art form, and there was even an annual Olympics to see who was the best of the best. It was very hard work� it was my job to serve my customers and I took the job, knowing I would be paid slightly higher than minimum wage. It was my responsibility to try my hardest, serve a tasty cup of what ever, and tell everyone on the other side of the counter that we thank them for their business. I never expected to be tipped� why? Because I worked at Dairy Queen, and I did my job. Baristas� get over yourselves and put away the tip jar. You don't do anything special that the next art school dropout or 16 year old can't master in a month or two.

• 2. Your tips help pay our rent We understand there are going to be some days where you can't tip, or even circumstances where you don't think you should. However, if you're not going to tip for your thirteen-step, elaborate drink order, consider making it at home. -This is the actual point that all you are arguing about.... -Please re-read it. From what I understand, in short it says... I get it if you don't feel like tipping. If you do then AWESOME, if you take 13 steps to order your drink and don't tip, thats your prerogative.. but please consider that this might not be an easy drink to make. And making it at home Probably isn't an option. All im saying is.. I NEVER expect a tip.. to be honest I know in all the coffee shop jobs I've worked, the best tip I've received is a genuine " thanks for the awesome drink!" ...I know for a fact that every co-worker i've had in my 6 years of being a barista would agree... That being said. I'd say less than 5% of customers can be hard to deal with, but thats part of the job. So be an asshole... you'll still get your coffee.. but you'll still be an asshole..

• Really people? Really? Reading through these comments I understand WHY this article was written. You have no idea what goes into your morning cup of coffee, especially if you order a bar drink. If you wanted crappy coffee you wouldn't be turning to a Barista, so maybe you should consider that there really is a difference between a Barista and someone who pours you nasty black hours old sludge. Or maybe, you're already going there, and that's why you don't understand what a Barista is.

• There is a growing, yet still small sect of baristas and shops in Denver who do justice to the craft. Try Novo, Avianos, Crema Coffeehouse, Fluid, Metropolis, and Salvagetti. They are the only shops in Denver who I would trust with coffee. They work and live coffee, and treat it more than a part-time college job, which it should be treated as such. If you are a coffee drinker who still thinks Starbucks makes proper coffee, it would be a good idea to try coffee from a shop who takes it seriously. Try one of these stores before you throw snap judgements out there relating to a barista's skill, because I have some doubt you have ever had coffee properly prepared by career baristas who staff the aforementioned shops. BUT, a tip for you: when ordering a carmel macchiato from one of these places, don't be completely surprised if you get severely re-educated about proper terminology and traditional coffee recipes. Perhaps you should try straight coffee, straight espresso, or a double 8oz latte from the good shops, and then I'd be surprised if you didn't want to throw a tip to the crew.

• To the moron who stated fast food is "premade" - do you think all that food comes that way, assembled and made to your order? You are a complete jackass who obviously cannot even open your eyes for simple observation. Fast food is WAY more work than Starbucks. And you smell like fry oil by the end of a shift. Working at McDonalds or Burger King, etc, is hard, thankless work. Clearly you are an overindulged spoiled suburbanite who never had to take a fast food job, even as a teenager. And the people who work in a coffee shop are NOT the same as waitstaff at a restaurant. Waitstaff is exempt from minimum wage laws, not the coffee people. Starbucks jockeys are paid minimum wage and then some. So don't compare them to waitstaff at a real restaurant, doing real work.

• Wow I really can't believe how serious you all are taking this. First of all, where the hell have all of our manners gone, most of this is common coutesy. And we are all poor, tipping istn't the do all and end all, but even a couple cents are appreciated. Most of the time baristas get paid LESS than fast food and retail, there isn't much of a competitive curve out there for baristas and yes, there are taxes paid on tips, so get over yourself and maybe just try being nice!

• Given that I never order anything other than black coffee, I really don't plan to tip. At all. Given that coffee makers are not paid 1/2 minimum wage as waiters/waitresses are, I really don't plan to tip.

• An untrained monkey could produce your 1/2 decaf, 2%, not too hot, a little less vanilla than you normally put in it, "tall" (does that mean "small" or a physically tall cup?), no foam latte? I see. Making coffee is certainly labor, but it is anything but unskilled. I may not have spent four years at an overpriced school to learn the skills that it takes, but that doesn't mean I haven't worked hard to try and perfect my craft (I am currently a student, but that is irrelevant). If you are unwilling to follow a societal norm that asks nothing of you but a dollar or less in return for my effort, my skill, and my willingness to return your bad attitude with a smile, that is perfectly fine with me. I'll get the satisfaction of knowing that I have made the right choice in earning my wage along side other people like me who believe that enriching someone else's day (in however small a way) is more satisfying than stomping on someone's head to get to the "top" faster. Pick your iPod and the keys to your Audi up off my counter. Your latte is ready. Your possessions clearly didn't make you feel better about yourself. Maybe an expertly crafted, caffeinated (but only half way) beverage can.

• SOOOO true everyone should get this

• looks like there are a lot of repeat posts by a couple bitter assholes who cant remember their fucking order and jack other people's drinks. eat shit you cocksuckers.

• I just want to thank "Boring" for the enlightening suggestion that baristas should not attend community colleges and should instead pursue a master's degree. This is very reasonable because the people who become baristas usually have enough money to pay tens of thousands of dollars a year for higher education. That's why they are forced to work shitty jobs making ridiculous drinks for assholes. But I suppose you have a better idea for a somewhat-decent job to pay for a fine education? If so, maybe you should share it with the baristas who may be reading this article. And last I checked, if a person is poor and you has to settle for a less-than-appealing and laborious job - that doesn't make them the equivalent of an "untrained monkey". That's completely offensive to everyone in our society who do jobs that you obviously don't appreciate. I'm sure an "untrained monkey" could collect your garbage, stock a grocery store shelf, or bring your food to the table at a restaurant. But just because a person needs money and has to settle for an undervalued and low-paying job, does not mean you are automatically intellectually superior.

• I work for Starbucks and I work there because I choose to. I have great benefits and like serving people. Maybe that's because I like people. Maybe that's because I've come to appreciate the reality that there can be (and should be) purpose in doing what some would consider "lesser" jobs. Maybe you don't want to fix your toilet and maybe you don't want to be the one to flush a septic tank, but someone has to. So, if you don't want to work your tail off behind the counter at a coffee shop, that's fine, but the next time you stop by a coffee shop, engage the barista in a conversation. I know that at my store, at least, you will find the vast majority of people behind the counter have at least one bachelors degree and several of them have at least one graduate degree. Beyond that, though, they're just incredible people who care about people and are choosing to pour you a cup of coffee and generally choose to do it with a smile. I have met some of my favorite people working at Starbucks. Most of those people started as customers and I am now honored to call them friends. If you've never explored that option with your baristas, you're likely missing out.

• you're all assholes. jesus christ. lighten up.

• haha, i love how i that one guy copied my name and stuff. i also love how i trolled the fuck out of you guys. lol "Anger is a Gift!" i love the holy than thou people, i love the educated nonsense, i love my bullshit pickle fart rant. and besides..i just wrote bullshit pickle fart. how can you take a guy named tranniejesus seriously? this is the fun i have while im doing "paperwork" in the bathroom Grief bombed your ass. ya heard sucka? ps-still not tipping

• I have been in many positions in the service industry throughout my life and sure you can bitch about which customers suck balls and make life harder but no matter what you have to accept that their out there and you have to get over it. There is no short supply of stupid people out there and if you work directly with the public then you should have the skill set to manage these issues or your not doing your job. If you are a true service professional and not just some trained monkey you know better then to literally hate your customers no matter what they do.

• Wow, extremely impressive how ignorant people can be. To echo the comments above, this article was written tongue-in-cheek about certain societal norms people should (or should not) abide by. No personal offenses intended. That being said, I am completely taken aback by so many comments people have made about the the food-service industry being an easy job or that baristas are like "monkeys." I have an undergraduate degree, work at a non-profit, am enrolled and about to begin graduate school but yes... I, too, am a nearly-minimum-wage earning barista. And let me to you, it is one of THE MOST DIFFICULT jobs to handle. I've had many professional jobs, and none have been more difficult. I can also guarantee you that everyone who has written these comments above wouldn't last a day at a coffee shop. Also, I'm sure you all will be surprised to know that probably about 80 to 90% of baristas and servers at restaurants (at least right now in this economy) are probably more educated than you. People work these jobs because they want to earn a little extra money, because the economy is so bad that they can't find a better job, or because they just really love it. At my store, we have 3 Master's degree, one person working on their PhD, and everyone but one person either in school or with an undergraduate degree (and not at community colleges, either). So, mean-spirited people, stop being ignorant. Or at least start treating people (even the "monkey's" that serve you coffee) with a little dignity.

• This "Top 5" article is actually less offensive than some of the others. Some of these rules affect other customers and not just the baristas. As for food service workers being "unskilled laborers," how about I write a "top 5 reasons tech support hates you?" I certainly make more than minimum wage, but I still deal with a minority of users who make my blood boil. Think of it like this: you don't want someone making your job harder than it is, so chill the fuck out and treat people with respect.

• What's happening to the world?! Tranniejesus makes $60k a year but can't even abide by the rules of grammar and proper use of the English language? And they're flaunting the fact that they "...went to school and graduated to a real job." If I were the boss at your $60k a year job with phat 401k and world wide travel privileges I'd fire your ass for being an imbicile. College degrees don't equal intelligence. We need more money for education in this state...clearly.

• What's happening to the world?! Tranniejesus makes $60k a year but can't even abide by the rules of grammar and proper use of the English language? And they're flaunting the fact that they "...went to school and graduated to a real job." If I were the boss at your $60k a year job with phat 401k and world wide travel privileges I'd fire your ass for being an imbicile. College degrees don't equal intelligence. We need more money for education in this state...clearly.

• what's with the anti-khaki backlash? are distressed jeans the only path to cool d00dness? I will conform!

• As much as I don't want to involve myself in these posts, I feel I must. I think the general consensus of these posts is a tongue in cheek approach to the overwhelming frustration that people who deal with serving the general public day in and day out endure. It is not about personal attacks, but judging by the venomous responses from a few, I think some of these grievances are pretty valid, and I say this solely as a bar/coffeshop customer who is constantly forced to be behind so called "hard working consumers/self indulgent oblivious assholes," as stated in the previous posts. If someone really makes $60K a year, what is the problem with giving a dollar to the person who makes your coffee every morning, and ultimately sets the tone of your entire day. I can't help but laugh at the people who have commented with such disdain and hatred towards these people, yet depend on them so greatly. And before I get sidetracked, if someone has a "college degree" wtf are they doing working retail for a family business, and no wonder they are bitter about not getting tipped. It is the government who decides who gets tipped and who doesn't, and yes the wages vary accordingly. Back on track, such modern classics as Fight Club and Waiting have taught me one thing, do NOT fuck with the people that handle your food/drink/anything you ingest. I have the fortune of knowing many amazing people in all fields of the service industries, whether it be cooks, waitstaff, strippers, DJ's, baristas, even the lady handing me my Tuesday night Chinese. They are some of the friendliest, smartest people I know. They are the people who care more about doing what they love and making no money at it rather than climbing whatever bullshit ladder and hating life, but making a socially acceptable salary. Honestly I think a lot of people hate them for it. On the other hand, I have met some horrible, rude, cocky, indifferent, fucktards in the industry as well. I just hate to see so many amazing people get lumped in with the few bad eggs. That being said, if you are an asshole and come into a place on a daily basis with a "fuck you, I'm better than you" attitude, you are probably ingesting semen or bleach on a daily interval.

• This reminds me why I go to Starbucks. And I tip them because they are nice.

• Dear Westword: These blog posts are stupid and make everyone in the service industry sound like assholes. Please, stop and desist. CoD

• I tip baristas. Here's why: Anytime I'm at a Starbucks and want an ice water, they give me a giant Venti cold cup of ice water for free. Their employees (mostly) know my name and what I drink, and are super pleasant to me. If my drink is ever even slightly off, they toss it and re-make with no questions asked. I've had baristas actually give me a dessert item at night for free, because they were going to toss it, anyway. I have never had any sort of experience at a McDonald's or Wendy's. So yes, I've always given them my change and I will continue to do so. Maybe the tips help breed their good attitude, maybe it's because their company takes care of them. Either way, their service isn't quite Nordstrom-level service, but it's pretty close, for coffee makers.

• Service industry business use expected tip income as a way to rationalize paying an hourly wage *below minimum wage/living wage* standards. The federal government supports this. Service industry workers can't change these practices. Is it fair to penalize the workers for the employer's/government practices? No. The workers are just there working for income, instead of sucking welfare like a lot of people. As a (salaried) service industry manager, I know that a lot of effort is required to be a good employee in the service industry. It requires thorough learning of many techniques and skills, a sometimes complicated computer system, all the ingredients/steps to make many drinks/food/other product, and requires serious multitasking ability. Due to the recent state of the economy, many people with degrees and years of "professional" experience have turned to the service industry for jobs/income. As a general rule, I won't hire them, because from experience I have found that they just don't get it... mostly because of multitasking. Maybe, as a "professional," you have to multitask multiple clients, jobs, contracts, etc. But you probably don't have to do it in the timeframe that a service industry employee (SIE) does. In this industry, you have two minutes to make it to a customer to greet them before they get antsy... three minutes to make a custom coffee or quick service food. SIE's have to have in-depth knowledge of products and procedures, be able to take the heat for problems they have no control over (being out of an item, the cook burning your food, etc.) My defense is not to say that every service worker should be tipped. Poor service = poor tip. Poor attitude (a part of service) = poor tip. But when an SEI does their job properly, they earned that tip... and their employer is going to pay them less than minimum wage regardless of whether you tip them or not. So next time you get a coffee, drink, food, dinner...whatever it may be... remember that those tips are part of the income that SEI's need to pay the bills - be it barista, server, bartender, or quick-service food assembler.

• If some people in the service industry make 60k/year, why do they need tips?

• Is an infant someone who says he gets laid more than you? Or someone who starts a post 'dear losers (baristas) you smell like shit"? $ I propose this: you both are. Get a life. I am so much stupider for having read these comments.

• Tranniejesus, no one who is 'very happy' spews such hate on internet message boards. Glad you make a bunch of money, sorry you're so, so sad inside.

• Also I don't know the difference between your and you're. I also like Dexter and being an ass on message boards anonymously to validate my existence, as well as my life choices. I don't really know what a hipster is, but I know they make me feel awkward and inadequate, like I am getting picked on. Me and my bros never got picked on in high school so it's a new feeling. It really hurt my feelings when you said I didn't get laid as much as you so I lashed out because at my core I'm just very lonely. I constantly need to remind myself I'm a cool guy doing cool things, otherwise I would probably kill myself. Please give me validation, even anonymously. Go Broncos.

• Wow, 60k... Nobody in the service industry ever makes that much... Oh wait. Some of us do. And the best part is we don't have to work alongside self inflated lardasses such as yourself... We just have to bring you food or beverages from time to time.

• i am crying over my 401k. My 3 weeks of vacation time, and my 60k salary per year. With other amazing benefits, and world wide travel. I am very happy.

• i'm pretty sure my barista doesn't hate me. after he concisely draws my pour, takes a whiff to make sure it's a good one, and passes it off to me, he gets to see the look of bliss that washes over my face, through my nose and down my throat. my barista's espresso is that good. i tip him because it's that good. i go there because he's that good. if you're a barista or a "barista" and you're not getting tipped, maybe it's because you suck. or maybe it's because you work in a coffee joint that has customers that don't actually care that much about their coffee.

• Ah I can almost envision you crying all over that paper you're pushing... But you better stop reading this and get back to work before one of your half dozen or so bosses gets on your case! Haha.

• What kind of infant defends himself by saying "we get laid more"? Seriously. Your arguement is laughable and obtuse. You should worry more about getting a real job. One, you don't get laid more..even if you do, your ugly boyfriend/girlfriend is probably a lame fuck. Two, cooler? That infant attitude justifies just how uncool you are. Three, feel apart of the community?! So, you and your other hipster maggots feel like you apart of the community? Since i am a business professional, that makes money and gives it to you, that makes me more important to the community, more so than some asshole (you) who thinks he is cool, because he can make a flower out of foam?!?! Get real! Four, again, your a being a douche and an infant. I have an awesome job, I make a shit ton of money, and I still won't be tipping your sorry asses. Thanks for the article Westword. You just confirmed WHY i will never tip a barista again...they are all pretencious assholes.

• Great artilce- after having been a barista for years- they nail it on the head. AND YES - YOU SHOULD TIP. Fast food workers dispense pre-made food. Espresso drinks are made specifically for you, in front of you- WHILE dealing with your bad morning attitude. If you see no logic in tipping baristas, then there is no logic in tipping bartenders- same amount of work and care.

• Yeah, real job. Real boring probably. Nice khakis, drone.

• ^ you = pillow biter sorry we make 3 times as much as you do. because we went to school and graduated to a real job.

• Top reasons these sad office workers hate service workers: 1. We get laid more than you do. 2. We're cooler than you are. I mean look at those khakis. 3. We actually feel like part of a community. 4. We don't wake up at the age of forty grossly overweight, massively in debt, with no particular meaning to our lives, wondering when sweet death will bring us release.

• After living in Denver for a few years, it never ceases to amaze me how self-absorbed, self-entitled & truly uneducated a majority of it's inhabitants behave. These comments are full of hatred. For an article that seems more meant to create awareness rather than point fingers, it would seem people are taking it rather personal. On another note: mind your manners. Whether you're patronizing a coffee shop, a bar, a retail space, the DMV, or anywhere you're dealing with a person behind a counter, that person is there to serve you, but is NOT your servant. They are not a machine or a robot. Put away your cell phone, use please & thank you.

• Dear Loser (baristas), you smell like shit. I wont tip you, if all you are doing is touching a button. If i get it to go, i won't tip. If i sit their in your little hipster shop, i will tip, IF and only IF you make my drink look nice. Stop expecting tips. You don't clean up after me. You barely even acknowledge my existence, besides the 3 seconds it takes for you to painfully ask for my order. You think you are so goddamn cool, but really, you are a loser who makes $5 an hour pouring coffee piss to other assholes. regardless of your lack of hygiene, you are just a simpleton. now...because of this asshole article, i will refuse to tip any barista for the remainder of the year. stick that up your foamy latte and suck it!

• 3 Reasons Most People Prefer Shitty Maxwell House Coffee Made At Home In A Mr. Coffee Percolator Rather Than Spending $3 Per Cup To Buy From Untrained Monkeys Who Refer To Themselves As Baristas The employees write blogs like this one. The other employees link to it. All the employees feel entitled to a life of gratuitous privilege for doing a task autistic children can master in a few minutes. Get on your shitty fixed gear bikes and ride yourself to a Master's degree (community college ain't gonna cut it) if you want people to take you seriously.

• Ah this is fun. Gotta say, having been a Barista for most of my adult life that far and wide my customers are totally awesome people. But of course this blog isn't about the 99% of people who actually are cool, respectful, and know how to conduct themselves is it? So, if you're in that bracket and you know it hi five to you buddy, you're what keeps me doing this. But I think anyone who works with the public is familiar with these sort of clueless customers and probably got a chuckle out of this. Also, some people make coffee, and other people are baristas... There is a difference. I love bringing my experience to bear in creating the absolute best drinks I can, one drink at a time, day after day. Not only because I think the customer deserves it, but because I feel a great satisfaction in my work. So all you awesome coffee lovers out there, keep being awesome. I will do the same.

• As for me, I only go to coffee shops to use the wifi. I order beverages to pay rent to the owner, not because coffee is difficult to make myself. If my presence is such a burden, I'll just get one of those 4g cards for my laptop and pay money to Sprint or Verizon instead of a local coffee shop owner.

• I work retail for my family business, I have a college degree, I deal with the same rude-as-fuck general public that a barista has to deal with yet I don't get tipped. If you dont like making me a God Damn Carmel Macciato go get a different job to pay your rent and buy those art supplies.

• wow, people telling us to not tip should lighten up and be a little more generous. tipping is a good and nice thing to do. being selfish and greedy is not.

• This might be the most worthless blog.

• how about "5 signs the dispensary's owner might be taking himself too seriously."

• Agree w/ Kevin. You may want to chill with bashing your customers. You're an unskilled laborer, and writing these posts just gives us consumers one more reason to stay home and prepare our food and beverages ourselves. You don't like your service industry job? Then shut the fuck up, learn a new skill and get a new job.

• What's with the "Five reasons your (food service worker) hates you?" blog posts? I understand giving voice to the oppressed, but these are just designed to cause a shit storm in the comments section. Next up: Five reasons your day laborer hates you.

• I drink black coffee. I ain't tipping.

• Why should people who work in a coffee shop be tipped? Workers in fast food joints don't get tips. They make less money and they work a lot harder. So why do "baristas" and their register jockey brethren believe they deserve tips?

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