Starbucks — Restaurant in Memphis

I understand during Covid, tables are closed and items such as napkins and straws and not out and available to the public. I understand this and appreciate the effort. However, I ordered a drink and I wanted a straw. After I picked up my drink, I saw the straws were not in their usual spot but very much within reach. They were sitting in the kitchen up against the bar area. So close to the general public, not once did I think I was doing anything wrong by taking a straw. I didn’t reach into the kitchen area. I didn’t have to lean over the counter and struggle to get it. I wasn’t in anyone’s space. I simply reached up and took a straw that was so close to me I assumed they were there for the public to take. So close, I never once assumed I was doing anything wrong or out of line. I know the young, white girl was busy and probably didn’t hear me ask if it was ok if I take a straw, and that’s ok. However, when I turned around she yelled at me so loudly and abrasively that the rest of the customers got quite and stared. She yelled, “next time you need a straw ask for it”. It doesn’t seem as abrasive in writing but in the moment and the tone and level she used was so degrading and condescending that it was as if I reached over the counter and took a $20 out of the cash register. It actually made me feel uncomfortable. I asked the barista if it was a problem I took a straw and again, was met with a condescending “yeah”. She didn’t explain why that was an issue to help me and the other patrons learn. I let her know I took it. If it was an issue that was so big that I was yelled at, why weren’t they immediately moved? Again, I understand policy and I appreciate it but there is a way to speak to someone that this barista was obviously not trained on. I drink Starbucks daily and I have never encountered such unprofessionalism at any Starbucks I have ever visited. I got yelled at over a straw. It keeps sounding more and more absurd. Yelled at to the point I felt compelled to take my time to write this message. Yelled at to the point that I felt uncomfortable and disrespected and it was over a straw. Is there a way to let customers know the straws sitting within reach are not for them to take without being yelled at? Is there a way to explain your policy regarding straws that doesn’t involve treating the customer like they stole something? If so, please share that with this young employee. Moving forward, I have never felt more embarrassed and degraded by another human in a very long time. Threatening to never drink Starbucks is no threat at all as your business will thrive without my daily order. I just wanted to simply let you know that the experience of being yelled at over a straw has motivated me enough to never spend my money at Starbucks ever again. The way you treat...

Horrible, customer NO SERVICE. Free- Floating hostility from the 2 women in there today. I was the only customer in Starbucks and no one at drive-thru (late morning 6/23/2025).

This heavy-set Caucasian lady refused to acknowledge me at the counter as I requested a grande pike coffee; simple right.

She kept saying, be with you in a moment, but wouldn't make eye contact (black female). She was replacing trash can liners for about 5 minutes and left me standing there....so I walked away from the counter and returned to my seat at the extremely dirty table I had decided to sit at.

After about 10 minutes, I returned to try this again because a Diff Lady was now on the register.

Later this afternoon I decided to have a grilled cheese sandwich; a rare treat. Again, simple order, right? Wrong.

This young girl with half combed, dirty looking, tangled, dirty light brown hair in a ponytail turned my order into a Gen Z'er unnecessary episode simply because I asked to have my sandwich extra crispy.

She ignored my question and kept insisting that I just pay for my order. Then I scanned Starbucks app one time, but it didn't beep.....this threw her into a major bipolar 🙃 episode. She demanded, YOU AREN'T DOING IT RIGHT...!" to which I replied, no problem, I just can just rescan it.....this is where it goes off the rails....she then snaps at me again by saying as she's storming like a 5 year old toddler and threw a temper tantrum saying to me, "IF YOU WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO HELP YOU, FINE!" then she walks 🚶‍♀️ off in the middle of my order! Yes, she caused irreparable damage to someone else's reputable business establishment. I will mark this location off my list and take my $12+ elsewhere.

When I called for a manager, both of these incompetent, bad for business women, stormed to the back office from where the Manager emerged; off course, to cowardly reveal their guilt before, I, the person helping pay their salaries, could try and gather some understanding about what just happened and to finalize my transaction.

I strongly recommend visiting a much more professional and clean Starbucks location, some coaching, sensitivity training, some firing, and some cleaning because after 4+ hours sitting in here working, I have yet to see anyone clean off any tables,...

This location has been getting worse. Please hire more people. Stop making employees and customers miserable.

And it's one thing to be understaffed, but to be dismissive to customers who have been standing and waiting patiently for 45 mins while you get caught up is inexcusable. I got there and my drink was ready but I had to wait on my food. They finally helped the lady who had been waiting before me for a while, but then waited another 15 minutes to ask what I was waiting on. I heard her say to the other employee, "she's been here for like 30 minutes, I don't want to talk to her" ..what is that about? Then she asked me if I was waiting on food, i said yes. She didn't ask what I ordered or my name, she just walked off.

She got caught up on drinks and started to wipe down counters. The girl at the window was swamped and handling food orders at the same time. I waited another 15 minutes before asking if she could check to make sure someone didn't grab my order by mistake. She couldn't find my ticket but then told me they were out of what I ordered. If you were out, why didn't you ask me if I wanted a replacement? And did you just throw out my ticket before even checking with me ? I'd been there for 50 minutes and by the 30 minute mark there were no more pickup orders on the counter and things had slowed down. Why would no one think to check with me? Eventually someone else clocked in and was about to give me a refund but forgot about me when another customer kept him for 10 minutes. (That can't be helped i guess..even though i was there for way longer) There really has to be a better way to communicate with customers. I'm glad I didn't have anywhere else to be, but there was no reason for...