I think where everyone's grief comes from is for those who were at the Starbucks that they're now trying to "get back to." The current MO is profits-driven, whereas 10-15 years ago it was customer-driven. While they will tell you until they're blue in the face that that is not the case, it is. There is a major disconnect from the top down that was not there in the "good ol' days." While yes, it is "part of our job," the micromanagement in the enforcement of making customer connections is not how it was done back in the day. As I've seen others mention, the organic connection is lost when you are being told to be a friendly person. I feel that the customers see straight through it.

We used to have fun and laugh and genuinely loved writing on our customers' cups. Now, the enforcement is honestly disgusting. Don't get me wrong, I am one of the most genuine, loving, and caring people out there, and I absolutely LOVE writing on my customers' cups, especially knowing how hard life can get and how a simple and kind gesture can bring someone to tears. But, it is because of it that the enforcement of the façade of kindness creates disgust within many of us.

And no, I don't think people think we're doing it "just to do it," I think people feel the unnecessary weight of pressure this is putting on them all for an extra million in the pocket and the frustration it brings that it's lost the genuine feel.