Starbucks drive-thru baristas keep working despite flash floods and hail

A viral TikTok video shows what Starbucks baristas endure when it rains and hails outside their shop.

A TikToker and barista named Marlabee (@marlaabee) posted a video Tuesday showing one of her Starbucks colleagues, who appears to be already soaked, manning the store’s drive-thru window. Outside, heavy rain and hail are pouring through the open window, but a customer is still waiting in his car for his order.

“The barista was too stunned to speak,” says an audio voiceover.

“When there’s a flash flood + hail warning but customers still need their coffee,” Marlabee added in the video’s caption.

In less than a day, the video went viral with over 593,000 views on TikTok.

@marlaabee When there’s a flash flood warning + hail but customers still need their coffee 🫠 #starbucks ♬ The barista was too stunned to speak – ashton ツ゚

Some viewers joked about the scene in the video’s comments section.

“80% sure they ordered a caramel frappé with extra caramel,” commented one viewer.

“2 large ice waters please,” joked another user.

Other hospitality workers shared their own understandable experiences of having to deal with weather conditions. Several drive-through employees regretted that customers left their wipers on – which poured even more water on them.

“I used to work at a drive-thru location and people also left their windshield wipers on so all the rain was thrown at us,” said one user.

“And about 90% of customers have their wipers on full blast sending more water through the window,” wrote a second user.

A third commented: “OMG Flashbacks. People got really mad when we didn’t open the window when we did.”

Some viewers said they would not tolerate working in such conditions.

“I would leave a sign saying come in get your coffee lmao this is a nightmare,” said one viewer.

Another viewer wrote: “See, I don’t care if I get in trouble from management, I don’t open this window.”

“It’s called ‘I quit,'” added a third.

The Daily Dot reached out to the creator via TikTok comment and Starbucks via email.

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