10 things you should never do at Starbucks, according to a former employee

Sophia MitrokostasJul 2, 2020, 22:39 IST

Always check the name on the cup before grabbing your drink.REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Starbucks employees notice a lot about how their customers behave.
Grabbing the wrong order off of the counter or being indecisive during a crowded time can irritate the staff.
Leaving a mess in the bathrooms or in the sugar and milk area makes the baristas' jobs harder.
Adding an item to your order at the drive-through and asking for drink add-ins after you've paid can be frustrating for employees to deal with.

Starbucks is a major Seattle-based coffee chain that serves millions of customers each day.

Since the chain is so popular, baristas rely on good customer behavior to help make their shifts run smoothly.

Insider spoke with former Starbucks employee Alexa Blay to find out what customers should never do at Starbucks, plus ways to make your barista's day.

Here are some things to avoid doing at the coffee chain:

Don't collect a beverage without looking at the name on the cup.

Always check the name on the cup before grabbing a drink off the counter. Zhang Peng/LightRocket via Getty Images

You shouldn't expect a free refill on every drink.

You cannot get a free refill on specialty drinks. Mike Blake / Reuters

Try to avoid asking for drink add-ins after you've already paid.

Don't ask for more syrups and extra shots after you've paid. Shutterstock

Never leave a mess at the sugar and milk area.

Leaving a mess makes baristas' jobs harder. Richard Vogel/AP

Ordering off of the "secret menu" can be a real headache for baristas.

Secret menu items, like the red-velvet Frappuccino, take longer to make. Starbucks

When seating is available, customers shouldn't take up more space than they need to.

Make room for other customers while you're working or socializing. Richard Vogel/AP

You shouldn't add an extra item to your order when paying at the drive-through.

Adding an item at the drive-through window can cause delays in the store. Tooykrub/Shutterstock

It's rude to leave trash or paper cups in the restroom.

Some Starbucks locations have public restrooms open to customers and non-customers. Gene J. Puskar/AP

You might want to avoid getting in line if you don't know what you want to order yet.

It's polite to know your order before you get in line. AP/Mark Lennihan

Never knock on the front door and ask for staff to let you in before opening time.

Starbucks doesn't let customers in before the posted opening time. Gerald Herbert/AP

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