Feeling a little unsure that Starbucks sounds only beneficial for the few minutes the beverages are consumed? Well, Starbucks has taken part in helping the rest of the world as well. Starbucks has become aware of the need to be friendly to our environment. In turn, they have gone green with a lot of their cups, cup holders and a lot of their products (such as some to-go coffee mugs), setting several goals to continue to go green as the years proceed. They also have a campaign called the “(Red)” campaign, where products from Africa are available for purchase along with other Starbucks made merchandise. Some of these products are handmade African purses, Starbucks coffee cups, water bottles, an African CD, certain coffee beans, and more. After a customer purchases a “(Red)” product, part of the proceeds are sent over to Africa. Sometimes, there are special drinks available for a certain time period that take part in donating money to Africa, as well.
Satisfied now? Good. The anxiety level to visit Starbucks has probably gone up tremendously. Why? Well, due to recent excitement about a place where you can enjoy a delicious drink and contribute to helping the world in one trip of course! But hold on, because from years of experience, I have figured out how to make the perfect visit to Starbucks. This trip will make your day even more pleasant and contribute to making the Starbucks' employees days golden.
Okay, the first part of the process is the entrance. Every Starbucks has a few key features in their layout that are similar. All of the chairs and tables are usually closer to the highway near the front entrances. In the back, see the counter where orders are placed, the glass case with tasty treats, the little area filled with other foods and beverages, the actual beverage making, and the beverage pick up counter. The additions stand is usually on the side somewhere (it varies), but it is a pretty small table, usually away from where everything else is. And around the back, all of the Starbucks merchandise can typically be found.
As soon as you start walking toward the door to enter, think about how blessed we are to be able to purchase the best tasting coffee America has to offer. Walk in lightly and stop just a few steps back from the counter. If a customer walks up to the counter, employees assume the customer is ready to place an order and they are prepared to start making that heavenly treat. So stay back some and think
about the size, type, flavor and any personal additions desired. A little lost now? Don't worry, I'll teach you the proper lingo.
When ordering the drink size, it is not the typical “small, medium, or large.” What must be said is “talle”, “grande”, or “vente.” Small is equal to a talle which is 12 ounces, medium is equal to a
grande which is 16 ounces, and large is equal to a vente which is 20 ounces. Next, know which type to ask for. By type I mean iced, hot, or a frappuccino (a frozen/blended drink similar to a milkshake). Personally, I like hot in the winter months even if it is not cold outside, because then it makes Florida feel somewhat more wintery. The iced I save for when I'm enjoying it with family or staying in Starbucks, because it is more chilled and relaxed. When I am out shopping with friends or just hanging out, I enjoy frappuccinos for a fun drink that seems to last longer (which is probably because it's thicker or more milkshake like). So take a pick and then let us move on to the drinks themselves.
The espressos are coffee shots, mochas mean that there is chocolate involved and lattes are just the coffee and milk with no chocolate. There are beverages without coffee on the menu, besides the teas, that non-coffee lovers can enjoy as well. These usually do not have coffee listed under them in the description. My advice is to find one personal preference and stick with it-that way it's easy to remember and you know for sure that you like the flavor. My personal favorite and regular drink is the white chocolate mocha, and I have been ordering this drink for around four years.
Now for the personal additions. Take the liberty of having different flavored syrups added, if desired- there is a choice of sugar free or regular. Changes in the milk type are offered such as soy, skim or just go with the regular two percent used. If froth (or foam) is wanted scraped off the top of a hot drink, just ask and it will be done. Then when the drink is complete, choose to have whipped topping or go without.
So now it is finally time to order. Step up to the counter and smile. Ordering is not as complicated as it sounds. Say, “Hello, I would like.... a size, type, flavor, with any additional preferences, please.” When my mom and I go together, my typical order goes: “Hi, I would like a grande, iced white chocolate mocha, with no whipped topping.” Here is another example:
Emily decided that she wanted a venti hot mocha this chilly morning on her way to work. When
the Starbucks' employee asked Emily for her order, Emily replied, “I would like a venti, hot
mocha, with whipped cream, but no froth, please”.
Most Starbucks ask for my name to write on the cup so that when it is done they can call me to the counter, and there is no confusion on who ordered what first. This is done a lot more when the lines are longer (such as during the holiday seasons when families are out shopping together). If one has a simple name, just say it to the employee and take whatever spelling they put on it. If one's name is complicated, such as mine, just give your initials. It's too big of a process to try to yell the spelling of a name while all the machines are going and everyone is in a hurry, I have figured out. So I say, “My initials are, MC.” It is important to say “My initials are...” first because then there is no confusion on, for instance, if my name is “Emsea,” like there has been before.
If a tasty treat from the treat box is desired, ask for it right after putting in the drink order. That way they can go ahead and start the beverage. There is usually a nice variety of different desserts, packaged sandwiches, fruit cups, and other foods as well as beverages for someone who may not be a fan of coffees, teas or fruit drinks. The drinks available vary, but usually consist of juices and sodas. Any treat, or other food, can be heated instantly in the microwave if desired. This wraps up the completion of the order, and the last thing to do is pay with either cash, a card, or a gift card.
While waiting for the ordered beverage, there are options one can choose from. The simplest is walk down to the pick up table just a few steps away and wait, or talk to the Starbucks employees. Employees are more likely to remember the visit and the order if you decide to make small talk, and will therefore put more care into making your Starbucks drink next time you visit. If the mood is not right for chit chat or just standing and waiting, walk around a bit, there are plenty of different fun cups and goodies to look at like the tumblers and travel mugs to the right, made to insulate hot drinks. The purses from Africa can make a nice little gift for a friend, or would be good for personal use as well. And remember a small portion of the paid amount will be donated to help people out over in Africa.
When the right name or drink order is called, pick it up and say “thank you”. If the employee behind the counter is wearing a name tag, or if the opportunity to learn his or her name by engaging in conversation should happen, say “Thank you, name.” It makes the visit more personal and leaves a better impression.
If anything additional is wanted, walk over to the additions stand. There, sugar/splenda packets, coffee stirrers, napkins, additional milk and cream, straws, drink huggys that can be put on your hot drink so it will not burn your hand (I like to put it on my cold drinks as well so that it does not freeze my hand either), along with some other additional items can be found. Afterwards, sit and stay for awhile, or leave to go about the rest of the day.
I have come to realize that Starbucks can get to be pretty expensive, especially by visiting quite often. There are a few ways to help with this. The first way is to ask for Starbucks' gift cards for holidays and birthdays. Use the gift card on all trips to Starbucks and then use one to sign up for the Starbucks Card Reward program. If there are no holidays right around the corner and one's birthday passed already, go ahead and get one to put $5 on for personal use and then register for the program. It is free and can save on a few different purchases. Certain coffee syrups are free, and sometimes there are special deals that lead to free beverages. Right now Starbucks is offering any free beverage of choice to all Starbucks' Rewards customers on their birthdays. Newsletters with all of the special deals are sent out via email about once a month.
Now, one has been fully equipped for ordering Starbucks for the rest of a lifetime. It is okay to be nervous, just put into practice all of these steps as often as possible. This way, it will become more of a routine, and besides, coffee will make all those nervous feelings go away.
Starbucks Picture Citations
Tumblers and Travel Mugs. Starbucks. 2009.
(STARBUCKS)RED Blend Coffee by Starbucks Coffee 1-lb. Starbucks. 2009.
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