The act of generosity is kind in theory, but Starbucks baristas find the entire pay-it-forward process maddening.
Why Starbucks Employees Hate Pay It Forward Lines
Updated on Aug. 06, 2024
It sure does feel good to find out someone paid for your coffee. Whether it’s at a coffee shop or in a drive-thru, when the barista says: “Your coffee was paid for,” the world truly feels brighter and kinder for the rest of the day. And yet, according to numerous baristas, Starbucks’ pay-it-forward lines are one of the habits Starbucks employees dislike.
Sure, maybe a video online of someone paying it forward inspired you, but it’s a hassle—and it’s definitely one of the habits you should avoid in the drive-thru.
Why Starbucks’ Pay-It-Forward Lines Don’t Always Work
“Pay it forward is nice in theory, but it can cause a lot of confusion,” says Bailey Cassidy, 28, a Starbucks barista in the Chicagoland area. “Especially in the busy morning peak, it creates confusion about whose order belongs to whom. I’ve never worked in the drive-thru, just cafe lobby stores, but I hear it really confuses things in the drive-thru!”
Cassidy’s sentiments are mirrored by hundreds of baristas on Reddit. They say that yes, while this particular act of charity is kind for fellow Starbucks lovers, it doesn’t go so well for the baristas trying to coordinate how it’ll work. It also gets particularly confusing when the first pay-it-forward (PIF) customer turns it into a chain, where the next car pays for the car behind them, and so on.
“99% of baristas thank you for breaking it,” writes Reddit user @Mcpatches3D. “We rarely get any tips during the chains and it can get confusing when we’re slammed. Not to mention some customers get grumpy because they had expiring stars or needed the purchase for some promo.”
Not bothering to tip has become a common sore spot for baristas experiencing a PIF chain. “It’s not about the tip in itself I feel,” writes Reddit user @TheBlueImpulse. “It’s more about the disregard for the baristas and their hard work when it comes to ‘helping someone out.'”
However, while some baristas find the entire process inconvenient and sometimes demeaning, other who have experienced the generosity of pay-it-forward themselves say that the small act of generosity still can go a long way.
“There were also more than a few situations, on days where I was really going through it and desperately needed something positive to happen, where someone randomly paid for my drink. And it genuinely made a huge difference in my day and on my outlook during certain difficult times,” writes Reddit user @2166K.
Nevertheless, some baristas argue that if a customer is already in a line—especially a drive-thru—they already know what the coffee costs and are prepared to pay it anyway.
“The person who is in the drive-thru can afford their order, that’s why they placed it,” writes Reddit user @strawberrypoppi. “They are already planning to pay. It really makes others in the drive feel guilty because they feel like they have to pay for the person behind them even if their drink is more expensive.”
What can you do instead?
If you’re in a generous mood, many baristas seem to give the same suggestion—drop that generosity in the tip jar.
“I feel like if customers want to brighten someone’s day, consider tipping the baristas,” says Cassidy. “They are severely overworked, understaffed, and underappreciated, and it would make their day.”
For those who love paying it forward, baristas also suggest buying a gift card for customers who actually do walk into a cafe instead of the drive-thru, commonly those who are homeless and looking for food and a bathroom.
“We’ve also had people come into the cafe around the holidays and buy and leave a gift card to use for those in need, which at least at my location where we have a fairly large homeless population, this actually can go towards someone in need,” writes Reddit user @badatlife15.
Along with avoiding the hassle of pay-it-forward anarchy, be sure to avoid these other polite habits that fast food employees secretly dislike.
Copycat Starbucks Recipes You Can Make at Home
Inspired by: Starbucks Egg BitesYou can substitute Gruyere cheese for the Swiss and ham for the bacon, or add in small-cut veggies to these copycat Starbucks egg bites. I also like to bake these in small Mason jars for fun single-portion presentations. Serve with avocado slices and fresh fruit for a healthy breakfast. —Maria Morelli, West Kelowna, British Columbia
Inspired by: Starbucks Caramel FrappuccinoI love caramel frappuccinos from Starbucks, but they get too expensive. I now make my own, and they are just as good. If you blend the milk with all the other ingredients, it gets too foamy—instead stir it in with a spoon after all the ice is crushed. —Heather Egger, Davenport, Iowa
Inspired by: Starbucks Roasted Ham, Swiss and Egg SandwichOn a busy morning, these freezer breakfast sandwiches save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena, Taste Recipes Senior Editor
Inspired by: Starbucks Cold Brew CoffeeCold brewing reduces the acidity of coffee, which enhances its natural sweetness and complex flavors. Even those who take hot coffee with sugar and cream might find themselves sipping cold brew plain. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Or if you rather buy it at the store, our Test Kitchen team found the very best options to kick start your mornings.
Homemade BagelsOur easy bagel recipe lets you skip the store and make a dozen homemade bagels right in the comfort of your kitchen. Customize them with your favorite bagel toppings like everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds or Asiago cheese.
Inspired by: Starbucks Salted Caramel MochaIf you crave cafe-style coffees at home, here's a recipe for caramel mocha. You can make this decadent, sweet recipe within a few minutes and have a drink that rivals what you'd get at a coffeehouse.
Inspired by: Starbucks Iced CoffeeWhen my sister introduced me to iced coffee, I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Not only did I love it, but I decided to start making my own iced coffee recipe. This easy version is a refreshing alternative to hot coffee. —Jenny Reece, Lowry, Minnesota
Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Lemon LoafMy family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Inspired by: Starbucks Berry Trio ParfaitHomemade granola layered with fresh fruit and yogurt makes a superb breakfast. Sometimes I skip the parfait step to enjoy it on a hikes or picnics.—Donna Speirs, Kennebunk, ME
Pumpkin Spice LatteYearning for a pumpkin spice latte but can’t wait for fall? It’s always PSL season with this pumpkin spice latte recipe, which uses real canned pumpkin for authentic autumnal flavor.
Inspired by: Starbucks Double Chocolate BrownieCoffee granules enhance the chocolate flavor in these amazingly fudgy brownies. Add chocolate chips to the batter and you’ve got some seriously irresistible treats. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Starbucks Caffe MochaWhen I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel as if I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
Inspired by: Starbucks Toasted Coconut Cold BrewCold-brew lattes are all the rage at coffee shops, but they're so easy to make at home. This coconut cold-brew version is ridiculously refreshing and it's vegan! —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland
Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin BreadSkip the line and bake Starbucks's pumpkin bread in your own kitchen. This copycat recipe is better than the original! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Starbucks Hot ChocolateEach winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the Bloody Marys and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.
Special Banana Nut BreadThis extra-special banana bread makes a wonderful gift for friends and neighbors. The recipe makes two loaves, so I can serve one and keep the other one in the freezer to use as a last-minute gift. —Beverly Sprague, Catonsville, Maryland
Inspired by: Starbucks Peppermint MochaMake spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Black Tea LemonadeI have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this irresistible thirst-quencher takes it one step further. The lemonade gives this refreshing drink a nice color, too. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina
Inspired by: Starbucks Blueberry SconeSave your precious summer blueberries for these blueberry scones! They’re so good, you’ll be thankful you get 16 scones out of the recipe.
Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese MuffinI first made this recipe back in 1987 and have since made it many times over the years because it's my children's favorite muffin recipe.
—Wendy Stenman
Inspired by: Starbucks Peppermint White Hot ChocolateMy soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
The Ultimate Chocolate Chip CookieEveryone has a favorite type of chocolate chip cookie—a little crispy, a little chewy—but they all have to begin with a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe. This is the best place to start! —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
