Coffee Shops • $
“On my first visit, I asked two young employees behind the Starbucks counter if I could sit and use the wifi and they enthusiastically invited me to use both the Wifi and electrical wall outlets for as long as I wanted. I really appreciate that!I have solar panels so when it continued to rain and storm for weeks, I began to go to this Starbucks about once per week to sit and charge my devices and use the wifi, but always after buying about ten bucks (or more) worth of stuff to eat and drink so as to be a valid customer and show that I appreciate being able to use the services here. (If I stay longer than usual, I might go up and buy a second drink and a snack, to keep spending and not take advantage of the available services.)Employees here always nice about me sitting in back corner table for a few hours(once a week), no one ever bothered me, and then, today, Sunday morning, out of nowhere, unexpectedly--I mean, what is her problem?--I came in, after not being here for several days, and the woman behind the counter saw me place my stuff on the corner table and walk up to the designated order area (only customer). But she completely ignored me standing there for way too long and never said a word to me. ***Then she abruptly yelled over the counter area into the Safeway checkout area telling a guy to come over to her and she would ring him up. Then she brought herself over in front of me and asked me TO GET OUT OF THE WAY so she could ring him up! Really?So I walked back to my table and she called over to me that she was ready now.I approached asking her "are going to be nice?' "Huh?" she says. So I say louder, "Are you going to be nice?" "I'm always nice," she says. "So what was that?" I ask. She laughs, of course knowing what I was referring to and obviously totally aware and proud of her deliberate rudeness toward me. No apology from her. Does she think she's superior to me for some reason? So I ordered my coffee black venti and she asks if I want any cream, since she was such a b**** to me I replied, "I said black." I watch her as she fills my cup to see if she spits in it but she turns her back to block my view. Got my stuff and go to my table.I easily see her shaking and upset even from a ways away.What had I done exactly?! She knew she was wrong to behave that way toward me, a customer, just here to get coffee and a breakfast sandwich...and she was shaking.I plug in my MacBook and get online with headphones to quietly mind my own business watching videos for the Experimental Photography Festival that I paid for. (Note: Despite having worn nutrile gloves, I have chemical stains on my hands from alternative photography processes, so maybe that bothered this barista? I did once try to explain to her on a previous visit that it wasn't dirt on my hands but chemical stains and she said "I'm a farm girl!" meaning that she thought it was dirt, I guess?). My point is that I have tried to talk to her in a friendly manner in the past but couldn't get through to her.Anyway, back to today, Sunday morning 8:30 a.m., .... I'm a writer/creator and naturally curious about people, so I wanted to try and find out what she thought she had against me exactly. I can see that she's a bit upset.So I return to the counter to ask for a glass of water and she sees me coming so bends down opening a cupboard door when she had no other customers or orders, and I ask for water and she says "huh?!" forcing me to repeat myself yet again, which I do, and then her mouth says "of course" but I can easily see that she is not happy. So I told her that I'm an author, and she says "huh!?" So I repeat it louder, "I'm an author. I've had my writing published all over the world!" and I further explain that my brother is a librarian and that he found out that certain university librarians collect both my published and unpublished writing (my letters). I hope (but doubt) she got the message not to judge“
“I just had a very nice visit at this Starbucks! I so badly wish I had got at least one name from the ladies working. My usual trip to any Starbucks consists of a quick in and out process which has never been bad. However, this location really stood out to me. Every staff member interacted with me is such a positive and fun way. I tried the new Oleato which I had no knowledge about. The woman at the register was very helpful in explaining while another woman behind the counter gave a great comparison to the drink I usually get. When I picked up my drink from the counter, the woman who had made it was extremely kind as well. They were all interested in what I thought of the new beverage. It was delicious ! I left there with all 3 wishing me well and a big smile on my face. Not to mention a refreshed outlook on humanity. Thank you, kindly, ladies!“