Starbucks Karen insists on ordering blended caramel macchiato

A former Starbucks employee sparked debate after claiming a customer insisted on ordering a drink that wasn’t available.

In a clip with over 264,600 views, TikTok user Victoria (@viccc.07) responded to a now-deleted video of a Starbucks barista complaining about customers ordering mixed caramel macchiatos.

@viccc.07 #stitch with @DUHlaney Fuck that lady I hope she’s having a shitty day! and yes the shots were decaffeinated🤭 #starbucks #karens #storytime #work ♬ Original sound – victoriaaaa

“If you walk into Starbucks and order a caramel macchiato mix, you get a frigging caramel frap,” said @DUHlaney. Meanwhile, the text overlay read, “They couldn’t pay me enough to do this.”

As a former Starbucks barista, Victoria understood her frustration. She went on to share the time when a “Karen” also asked for a mixed caramel macchiato.

The Daily Dot contacted Victoria via TikTok comment.

“When I used to work at Starbucks, there was this one lady who specifically insisted, like, ‘No, they do this for me all the time.’ I want a blended caramel macchiato,” she began.

“And I thought, ‘We’re not going to do that. If I mix it up, it’ll be the exact ratio I’m making a caramel macchiato in, and it won’t be a frappuccino consistency.’”

When she suggested a caramel frappuccino instead, the woman declined. “She says, ‘No, I want a blended caramel macchiato.'”

Following the “customer is always right” mentality, Victoria followed the instructions and mixed the caramel macchiato. But when she gave the woman her order, she was confused. “She’s like, ‘Um, what’s that?’ And I said, ‘A blended caramel macchiato.’”

As the customer was allegedly rude during the exchange, Victoria said she got revenge by making her drink with decaffeinated espresso shots. “Fuck the lady, I hope she’s having a shitty day! and yes the shots were decaf,” she captioned the video.

In the comments, a debate started with the majority of users on their side. Starbucks colleagues shared stories of how difficult customers can be.

“People have NO idea what they’re ordering,” one wrote. “They just come in and say words just to say them and get angry that we can’t read their minds.”

“Don’t get me started on that one or those upside down caramel macchiatos. It’s been 14 years since I was a barista but it still fills me with anger lol,” added another.

“This lady mobile ordered an iced Americano with no water, so I put shots of ice in a mug and she said, ‘Why is it empty?’ these people I swear,” wrote a third.

A fourth said customers don’t like to be wrong. “They never listen. I’d give them the mud and they’d say no, that’s not what I wanted.

However, some believed that Victoria could have helped the customer better understand their order.

“Couldn’t you just say we can, but it has to be more ice cream or whatever? How to help people understand it?” one wrote.

“Okay, but can’t a customer just ask for extra ice and they’ll mix it up? also how some people really want what they ask for? lol,” added another.

Some baristas thought they knew how to make the Blended Caramel Macchiato. “Tbh I think I know the drink they want, a blended vanilla frap with shots poured on top and a caramel drizzle, but they can’t get the conversation to work properly,” they wrote.

Another agreed, “If anyone ever wants a mixed caramel macchiato, highly recommend a vanilla frap with affogato shots and caramel drizzle.”

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