I am from Seattle. I also have traveled around the country enough to where if I find a Starbucks I truly consider it my second home. In Seattle, the service may be fast but you are always greeted when you come in, if you come to the register you are acknowledged, they call you by your name when they see you are a regular(not just cause your coffee is done), ask how you've been. They all around just follow what Starbucks as a company requires. Since moving to Kansas this is one of the only two Starbucks within 25 minutes away from my house. When I went in for the first week I noticed what seemed to be very shy staff. After the first week of working from Starbucks and meeting the regulars, I at least found a place that could make my coffee right. One day I went in and a young individual asked me if one of the regulars was bothering me. I said no. I asked if he had ever done anything that I should be concerned about- that person said no. First off, I would feel horrible if I found out my coffee shop I am loyal to was talking about me to other, new regulars- implying I'm a problem. Second off, the staff never gives me the time of day or seems to want to build a relationship with me but they can come over and gossip? Thirdly, now when I go in there I have to wait about 3 minutes JUST FOR AN EMPLOYEE TO SAY HI. WITH NO ONE IN LINE EITHER. Yes there maybe 1-3 cars in the drive through but I got out of my car to come in and not one of the 5 staff care. They create an energy where it's the staff on one side- and the consumers on the outside and there is no friendly cross over from the groups. I have worked in customer service as well have worked for Starbucks. I just wish they weren't so distant, didn't make me feel like they gossiped about me and the regulars I have made friends with, and maybe you know- gave a hoot when I have been standing there for way too long. I mean I walked in one day two weeks ago and one of the employees who I know knows me and another one were standing, talking, possibly ordering their lunches when I walked in. I get excited when I come into Starbucks and was like "hi guys! How are you doing today?!"- literally acted like I wasn't there and that I was interrupting THEM. They didn't even look at me until they were done. Only one in line. A guy from the back saw this and instead of saying something to them he just said "sorry, be with you in a moment" basically saying "I know that's wrong but that's how things are here- yes it looks bad but that's what we do here". I feel like they need more training or a corporate manager isn't there often enough. Just basic customer services skills are lacking exponentially. It's not a warm, welcoming environment that I've know all Starbucks to be. When I went in yesterday I just ordered and sat down near the spot where you pick your food up. They yelled my name when I was right there- I was the only one picking up anything since I was the only other person in there besides two groups who had already ordered. Maybe it's me. Maybe I am just not used to Starbucks in Kansas. Maybe they just are there to do their job and not be friendly I do not know. I just wish there was another Starbucks that wasn't 20+ minutes away cause the Company has provided me with a safe place to go for almost a decade- no matter where I am in the world. read more