What I observed between 2 Starbucks employees has me furious.

Typical Thursday morning coffee and getting-work-done/job search session at the local Starbucks. As I wait for my Venti Cold Brew with three pumps of classic sweetener, I am suddenly directed to an interaction happening near the pick-up bar of the Starbucks; an interaction between two employees, one appearing to be the supervisor and/or trainer of the other.

The trainer then abruptly turns toward her associate who appeared to be emptying out trash cans. Keep in mind, that the physical space between the trainer (behind the barista bar) and the associate (at the trashcans) was filled with customers who were either waiting for their drink or happily sipping on their already made drink.

The trainer proceeds to raise her voice at the associate who is emptying the trash cans, stating, “no, that’s another test. I need you to get the ones in the back. Two trashcans is another test.” This statement was followed by a furious hat rim flip by the trainer, obviously frustrated with her employee. I am ashamed that my drink was made by this unprofessional, and seemingly rude Starbucks employee.

How dare she treat her employee/associate like that! And in front of customers! Hey, I am not the seasoned retail guy, but I do know that that behavior from a trainer to trainee (in front of customers especially) is unacceptable. At least in my book. What even is leadership? Training? Modeling? C’mon.

The trainer was physically using hand gestures (pointing) to her associate, quite literally all happening in the faces of the customers seated at the pickup bar. I feel so terribly bad for that associate. Since when is working and taking out the trash a “test”??? Someone in retail please explain this to me. She was doing her job and helping out during what seemed like a heavy customer rush.

I worked at a fast food Mexican food restaurant when I was sixteen, and if I learned anything (actually if I had even the smallest ounce of common sense) I would know that a full trash can is to be taken out. And that’s that. If I ever were reprimanded, it happened in the back, away from customers.

The L E A S T this trainer could have done in that moment is taken her associate aside. How dare she decide to reprimand her employee like that, an adult nonetheless. I am very affected by this interaction I observed…no one should be treated like that… ESPECIALLY IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS.

But I’m no retail buff, so what do I know, right?