Work.

I had work today (Starbucks...) and it's like my third or fourth shift. I understand that I'm 'new' but I really am not. I'm a rehire - so I know what's going on, none of it is new to me. Yet these 'partners' that I work with seem like they don't trust me with making the drinks or getting the pastries... It's really frustrating.

Being a barista is natural to me (it better be after being with the company for almost three years). I have a flow and a groove to the things that I do whether it be bar, register, or even floating. But it seems like Starbucks has become very robotic and IMPERSONAL. Even though that's the very characteristic they're spending all their research and development on - "Anticipate. Connect. PERSONALIZE. Own." The way things are being done at Starbucks now... is very VERY IMpersonal.

Baristas are like machines. "Step 1: Pour the milk. Step 2: Steam the milk. Step 3: Queue the shots. Step 4: Pump the syrup. Step 5: Pour shots into cup..." and so on and so forth. In this manner, baristas have all become machines and copies of each other. We are no longer individuals who help our customers in a very unique and special way.

NOPE. Not at all.

We are Starbucks clones.