Starbucks — Restaurant in Austin

I researched the official Starbucks policy: As a general rule, baristas may not give guests complimentary ice water unless they make a purchase, or their establishment is not overly busy. This is a fairly new, inhumane policy instilled by another increasingly heartless company driven by profit.

This barista at this particular Starbucks location was as artificial as his bleached-blonde hair. He was, in a word, perfect, for Starbucks: forsaking his compassion and empathy for his fellow humankind, he has relinquished his loyalty to diligently upholding Starbucks policy. By Starbucks standards, he deserves a raise. Maybe, just maybe, Starbucks will reward his existence with empathy and compassion for future personal/family emergencies, health issues or mental instability - but more than likely, they'll need a replaceable barista to punch the clock on time as business needs. A company that teaches and encourages its employees to forsake compassion and empathy for guests isn't likely to hold a reserve of just that for employees.

He's just a kid. Maybe blind obedience is the only way he can see to success, as a loyal employee under the influence of a powerful and successful business regime. I don't know Starbucks employee mission, but I'm willing to bet it includes applauding individuality and inclusivity. He'll find out the difficult and challenging way just how real that is.

The cost-of-living in Austin, Texas, to live simply and comfortably, is $62/hr. Do you think that kid is making anything close to that? No. He's making a miserable fraction of that, most likely living at home, in a den of roommates, or with a temporary partner, perhaps going to school or working 2 jobs. At least he can further blind himself from reality by indulging in drinking and partying with "friends" on his nights free from Starbucks - and one day, he'll wake up with just a meaningless memory of his empty time at Starbucks. Or hey, maybe he has a dream of becoming a Starbucks manager where he can reverently uphold Starbucks policy, having abandoned his principles, morality and personal dreams. In that case, bravo heartless barista kiddo. May the sugary rivers flow all of your life.

Nah, I walked in around 5:30am. It wasn't busy. I asked for ice water and offered to tip $1, and the kid said they sold bottled water, and that it was policy that they couldn't provide complimentary water without a purchase.

I explained that I was going to my hemodialysis clinic for lifesaving treatment, next door, at 5:50am, and HEB across didn't open until 6am, and I wanted water to go along with my snack brought from home.

Still, despite being a terminally ill patient, waking up for treatment before sunrise, in a slow Starbucks establishment, I was denied water - a basic human right.

I carried a backpack with my blankets - in a hemodialysis clinic, they clean and circulate your blood through a machine, through needles inserted into your arm, so it can become cold as you sit in your hemodialysis chair. I wore a loose shirt and sweatpants to stay comfortable while I lounged. Usually, I remember to take a water bottle from home, but I'd forgotten it this particular morning.

To an extent, I get it. I get the policy. We can't be helping homeless and poverty-stricken people; people with jobs and careers, dependent on their caffeine fuel, or people with leisure time and extra resources, can't be bothered to be confronted, exposed or reminded of the existence of the less fortunate. Bad for business, you know.

You'd think in a slower environment, baristas - human beings - could practice common sense on determining the situation, and uphold compassion and empathy for their fellow humankind - but that's what this world has come to.

That's what this world has come to.

More and more, nobody cares.

Just like nobody will really care about this review, haha.

Y'all have a good day! I'll keep it real and stay true to my beliefs, principles, morality and personal dreams - and baristas like that kid, and Starbucks overall, will keep doing - whatever...

i’ve been to plenty of Starbucks locations over the years, but this visit was hands-down the worst coffee shop experience I’ve ever had. I walked in to find the floor sticky, tables covered in crumbs, and trash overflowing from the bins. Not exactly the cozy, clean atmosphere Starbucks likes to advertise.

I ordered a simple drink—a tall latte—and it still managed to take over 15 minutes, despite there being only two people in line ahead of me. When my drink finally came out, it was lukewarm at best and tasted burnt, as if the espresso had been sitting in the machine far too long. The milk was barely frothed and left a strange, sour aftertaste.

The staff seemed completely uninterested in being there. One barista was openly complaining to a coworker about their shift while ignoring customers waiting at the counter. Another was scrolling on their phone instead of wiping down the mess in the café. Not once did anyone offer an apology for the delay or the state of the place.

Even the pastry I grabbed—an old standby croissant—was stale and dry, like it had been sitting out all day. I’ve had gas station baked goods that tasted fresher.

Between the dirty environment, lackluster service, and poor-quality drinks, I honestly can’t think of a single reason to return to this Starbucks. If this had been my first Starbucks experience, it would have been my last. Corporate needs to take a serious look at how this location...

I've never been treated rudely at a Starbuck's until just now. I ordered a tall Shaken Sweet Tea, but the barista tried to give me some sort of green tea drink. When I told her what I had ordered and pointed it out on the menu, she said they discontinued it, and she condescendingly said they put "a pound of sugar in it". Very rude, as if she knows what's best for me! I was able to get a plain black iced tea from her, which isn't at all what I wanted. They shouldn't have taken my money for a menu item if they weren't able to make it for me. When I suggested they erase it from the menuboard if they no longer make it, I was dismissed with a weary "we'll do what we can, ma'am". Shaken Sweet Tea is also still listed as an available drink on their online...