Name tags for Starbucks baristas are right around the corner! They’re starting to pop up here and there. From what I understand, slowly this month, Starbucks is implementing name tags for their store partners.
I love this idea. Personally, I can be a bit of a ding-a-ling about remembering names. I have no doubt that a few baristas who know me can attest to this! And the reality is, lots and lots of businesses – from grocery stores to clothing retail – have employees who wear name tags. And in other areas of business, a person is constantly handing out his or her business card.
On sites like MyStarbucksIdea.com, there have been a number of threads asking for name tags:
- Nametags
- Have the baristas wear nametags
- Name Tags
- Name Tags
- Nice name tags for baristas
- Greetings
- Partner name tags
- What’s in a name
- Name badges for employees
- Nametags for baristas
There are just tons and tons of those kinds of threads at MyStarbucksIdea!
My only worry about the idea of the name tags is that I’ll walk in and see that my favorite barista is now “Master Yoda.” It’s true, I’d get a good laugh, but understandably, it defeats the purpose of them. When I first heard that Starbucks was experimenting with name tags (which wasn’t all that long ago), the idea didn’t seem so surprising because they have already been implemented at the Tazo tea store.
Now it’s your chance to weigh in. The photo in this article shows you what the name tags will really look like.
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I like the idea. It works well, I just think I might get my apron embroidered. The problem with these name tags is I tend to get pretty messy while doing dishes or what not and I find, at the end of my shift, the chalk ink starts to run and looks “messy” to me. Still, I WANT my customers to know my name! It makes it easier for them to ask me something.
European stores have nametags since March 2011 and it works fine here.
In most stores baristas should have their real names on nametags. Name could be modified a little if its foreign (ex. Natalia changed to Nathalie) or shortened (ex. Katherine to Kate).
Name tags appeared this week. Sure going to help considering the high turnover rate this past year.
The appearance of the name tags coincided with the customer’s name being written on all cups (a removable tag is placed on personal cups/tumblers).
My observation is that both are being well received.
unfortunately a lot (i repeat a looooot) of baristas have stalkers at the stores we work in and many of us won’t wear nametags for that reason…they attempted in many stores to have aprons monogrammed with our names and baristas won’t wear them
I’m a barista and love DadCooks idea about a removable tag for customers to have for their cups! What a fantastic idea! That way there will be no awkward confusion about how to spell someones name! I also think us baristas having name tags might make some of us a bit more friendly since customers can now refer to us with our name instead of just a description ( example: “that brown-haired girl” can describe a lot of baristas ; ) ).
Chase: Clear packing tape, neatly trimmed has been a local solution to keeping the name intact.
I saw someone at a local Starbucks with their name on a patch embroidered on her uniform (“Kristin” at the Starbucks on Temple Ave in Pomona CA). If there are stalkers, you can use a fake name, and pass it off as one’s middle name. Retail people that wear name tags often have fun with this.
Hmm I believe there can only be one Master Yoda and if he made my drink it would be great. I would be worried if my Barista was Darth Maul.
“This is not the brew you are looking for”
We’ve been testing nametags for at least 6 months now, and names on cups for over a year, and they’ve definitely listened to our feedback about some of the problems with the ones we tested. Kurt – clear packing tape? Genius – thank you!! 🙂 Very few customers have commented on the nametags, though I have many who will now use my name in conversation, so that’s been kinda cool.
I’ve allowed my baristas who are concerned about stalkers to choose a different name, as long as that’s what they’re referred to at work. One now goes by her middle name, and another just spells her name in a more conventional way so she doesn’t get a lot of Facebook adds. The partners who have stalker-like customers at my store though, are the ones who share too much about their personal lives on the floor. And they can control that, and they should, if they’re concerned about stalking.
I’ve seen name tags on barista aprons for quite a while here, last summer even. They’re not everywhere yet, but mostly. Some are more visible than others and there’s nothing (I’ve seen) consistent about the type or style, which is fine. I think they’re not noticed nearly as much (by customers) as Sbux expected. just a guess.
Also, they’re trying ‘names on cups’ in a few places I’ve been. Where I know the partners and place, I don’t mind, and they’d be using my name anyway….as they always have. But if it’s anything more than a straight coffee, I’d much rather have my drink repeated to me. We’ll see.
The SM at my local store told me this morning they will be getting aprons with their names sewn on them. Each partner will get 2-3 aprons. I like the idea of this even though I know all the partners. The other day it was quite crowded in the store and a mother ahead of me ordered a morning bun and gave it to her son. He ran over and told his mom yuck the bun is cold it needs to be warm! It was so busy it was hard for her to attract a partner but since I knew all the names of the partners I was able to get a partner’s attention and all was resolved and the mom and son were very happy.
@Rebecca – I have heard of this before – Seems like a reasonable compromise. Here in Seattle, there is a chain of salons called Gene Juarez. I have heard that they let their hair stylists (or anyone there) pick a permanent fake name to tell customers if they want. The thing that I don’t understand about that, for most of the people there, you can see their name on their license with the state!
I like the use of name tags, seems fair if I give my name that I should know the (real or assumed) name of the barista who serves me. They don’t seem to be worn all the time, which is a shame. I do find that the conversation around names is sometimes a bit awkward and forced, or the question is barked at you, which is pretty unpleasant. A simple ‘may I take your name please?’ would suffice.
@Feline_Dot – You’re in a country that has already launched names on cups, right?
I love this idea! Several baristas know my name, as I’m definitely a regular, and while I also know most of them by name, a few I don’t! And I always think it’s so nice when they address me by name, I’d love to be able to return the favor. 🙂
@Denise R – when they call a name at my regular Starbucks they also call out the drink. Works well, particularly since there are some morning regulars with the same first names who come in at about the same time every day.
Re: stalkers: In some ways I can understand the concern about “stalkers”, but without a last name it really should not be of concern. What the Baristas should be concerned about is that their Partner Number appears on the register receipt (a couple of years ago it used to be their name, now it is their number).
Re: “fake name”: There is a Barnes and Nobel Starbucks in the same mall as my regular Starbucks. Several years back they had a group of very fun and enthusiastic Baristas. They all had name tags, but the all switched name tags every day. For the regulars this was no problem, but to the occasional customer it elicited some confused questions. Then they all got personalized embroidered aprons and the name switching game stopped.
I think this was long overdue.
As fun as it may sound, I don’t believe they should be allowed to switch names like B&N. It kind of makes the idea of wearing a name tag rather useless. Regarding stalkers…. Stalkers stalk people and not their names.
I’ve generally been negative on the idea of nametags, because I’ve rarely seen them done in a classy way — they usually add to a cheap, fast-food look.
If they’re done like this — basically looking like miniature ‘chalkboards’ with a bit of personality to them — I can totally get behind the idea.
Just saw some my first name tags. Of the 3 ppl working – 2 had their regular names. 1 worked had their regular name + some creativity. Like the idea a lot.
Jeff -Thank you for the comment. I think it will work out fine, though hopefully Starbucks partners will take it seriously.
@Chgo & Gobo – It just seems like it’s time. After all, almost every job now is one where you learn the name of the person who is helping you. Name tags just facilitate that connection.
I’m honestly not super thrilled by the name tags. I don’t mind the idea of a name tag, but I think the implementation is terrible. Chalk marker name tags for people who work around steam all day? My name tag lasts ten minutes before it looks runny and I look like my name is Ksomething, or that I’m just sloppy.
And they are heavy! They make the apron lay funny. It pulls inward now because of the weight of the metal.
And though I’m not thrilled with my name being publicly available (I’m also not thrilled about my partner numbers turning up on receipts – that scares the bejesus out of me), that’s not what I don’t like about them. I don’t like the actual, physical name tag. It is ugly.
But. But. I want Master Yoda to make my coffee!
Seriously, I love the idea of fake names, as long as they don’t change every day. Yoda. Tarzan. Cthulhu. Cowardly Lion. Yay!
@kitenarie: all the name tags I’ve seen around here, with a very rare, temporary-looking-exception, have been embroidered on the aprons, or sewn on some way.
re: asking for names or ‘names on cups’: I think this whole conversation is kind of funny. For the past few yrs I have always seemed the odd one out when I’d post on MSI or here that no, in all my yrs of Sbux, I had never ever seen them ask or use ‘names on cups’, and the overwhelming rxn was: oh wow, this is done everywhere! Apparently it hasn’t been done every where for all these yrs or we wouldn’t b having this discussion now. Yes, of course names are used, once we get to know each other but this whole (apparently new in many areas) mandate of using one’s name on the cup, or for one’s drink, appears kind of ‘odd’ and ‘forced’ in the few places I’ve seen it happening where I am not known.
@kitenarie- I am with you about my partner number turning up on receipts. For reasons that you and I clearly know about, this information should be kept private and I intend to bring it up in a connect with my DM as soon as possible. As for the name tags, I also completely agree… They’re not attractive. I am ok with monogramming my name on my apron but I was under the assumption that if we decided to leave the company, we were required to return the aprons. If you have the answer to this, please share. I am even willing to pay to monogram my apron myself.
At my store (St Louis area) we use names on cups every day with every customer who comes in to the lobby. It’s part of the connection with our customers. “May I have your name…” is ALWAYS a part of the conversation, as it is just good manners. It’s also a way for our barista on bar to be involved with the customer as well… for example “Mary, I have your Triple Grande Toffee Nut Mocha ready, have a great day”. It promotes eye contact and finishes the experience in a personalized way, especially with baristas who are often taken out of the customer service relationship by deployment.
It seems like a lot of people like the idea of name tags on baristas (with the exception of the issue of the chalk running, and perhaps stalkers), but people want to see real names on the tags. How do you all feel about customers who give fake names for the cups? I often will give a fake name if the person (whether a barista or at another place) doesn’t already know it because my name is a hassle.
I just had this thought. At the Starbucks I go to almost every morning a few of the Baristas know my name. Until today I didn’t know theirs so I could not address them by name. Now I can see their name but I am unsure how to pronounce it.
Would you
A) Continue to talk to them without calling them by name?
B) Ask them how to pronounce their name?
C) Pronounce it how you think it should be said?
I would absolutely ask
A partner the proper way to say her or his name. I bet they would be thrilled that someone cares enough to ask rather than mess it up.
The whole name on cup thing threw me for a loop. In the past six years in California we’ve been doing names on cups. I assumed it was just how it was done. Granted, we didn’t do it for every customer and not every store was good at getting names, but I always thought it added a personal touch to find someones name.
When they told me to start making sure we got names on cups, I just laughed and said “ok, done!”
@MerrynCole – I think one thing about the names is consistency. Martha is right – if my drink is ALWAYS made by the Cowardly Lion, then pretty soon that becomes his or her name for the purpose of that relationship. I have a friend who think her first name is a little tough for the cups, so she always gives another name that’s very close. It’s consistent. It would be like if I always told baristas that I am “Melanie” not “Melody” (I would never do that but that’s just for example). I think it’s fine too.
I am curious how all the name thing is coming along in stores. One partner told me today that he really only wanted embroidered aprons because he didn’t like the look of the name tags. But overall, he was opposed to the concept and believed everyone should just naturally get to know names – He said if the partner is friendly enough, it will happen. And I thought that was an interesting point. This one guy I was talking to is INCREDIBLY friendly and outgoing. It’s stunning. He’s cute, and so extroverted that I am pretty sure people learn his name fast. It IS harder to learn the name of the barista who says very very few words to you, and just moves you along the line fast. At least, that’s my experience.
So many interesting comments re the name options. I really do like the idea of knowing the person that I have been dealing with for so long and look forward to seeing their names on the apron. On the other hand since I am a regular at my local SB, I have asked the names of partners. It is true that some partners are shy and hesitant to share their names but yet are so aggressive at getting your name for the cup! I go to whole foods on a regular basis and have gotten to know so many people by their name and really do see the value of knowing partner names. I also think it helps not only when you want to complain to an SM but always the other side and give the well deserved compliments!
I just recently transferred from Canada to Germany, where names on cups and name tags have been in place for quite some time. It’s great, no big deal, and just how things are done. I drew a little Canadian flag on the corner of my name tag, and that quite often prompts a great conversation and a lot more understanding from the customer- my German is at an awkward level where my accent and pronunciation are spot on, but I don’t understand much more than the basics. Often people are confused at why I don’t understand, until they spot the nametag.
The clear packing tape trick is done pretty regularly by partners here, and looks okay. The tags look like chalkboard, but they’re really not very heavy, so I wonder if they’re different?
So as a 6+ year Barista, I am a bit miffed about the name tags.
Where as I have no major issue sharing my name with my customers, it was made know to me that within our district, our DM has chosen to NOT allow us to use embroidered aprons in lieu of the name tags. I am so bummed out by this, having just spent $40 on personalized aprons for myself and my three closest partners, as Valentine’s prizes. I was told that unless the font was exactly as SBUX indicates and the placement exactly over the “heart” (apparently as indicated in the portal?) then my new, coveted apron is unacceptable. So disappointing. Its not as though I used a whimsical Comic Sans font.
Lastly I too feel the chalkboard tags look cheap. And somehow indicate high turnover, or an erasable impression. An idea for a lighter weight, engraved name tag would be much more warmly accepted. Perhaps even a nice, earned “Gold” one for long standing partners. 😉
@Gnomeskillet – Welcome to my little blog! I am super surprised you are being told you can’t have the embroidered aprons. That makes no sense. I hope your DM reconsiders that. And I love your idea of a different name tag for a partner who has a certain longevity with the company.
Hope you will “like” my site or subscribe:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/StarbucksMelody/180068562003180
I suppose I have mixed emotions on this new name tag thing haha. I’m a bit paranoid about people I don’t really know, knowing my name XD It creeps me out and I go through a series of “What Ifs.” I have a name tag since my store is liscensed but I usually lose mine XD then I find it!! haha, On the other hand I think it better connects us with our customers and takes out that “weird” factor when we ask for their names. My customers love when I ask for their name. I was under the impression all Starbucks wrote the customers name on the cup because all the my local Starbucks do it. We have always been encouraged to do so 🙂
@Gnomeskillet your situation would absolutely break my heart… I would be so psyched if a partner did that for me and would be proud to wear it. It’s such a shame you’re being met with opposition. I wonder if you could get a petition going within your store and surrounding stores and speak with him/her and offer the pro’s in an organized and non hostile way to make your point. I would be so happy to help you with this in any way I can. Just let me know.
As for the fake names on cups… actually this happens a lot with a young couple who come in. The male orders for them both while his girlfriend is otherwise occupied. He always comes up with clever names of famous couples and it makes her smile every time. So far he has used “Bonnie and Clyde” “Rhett and Scarlett” and “Leah and Han”… I absolutely LOVE being a part of their playful banter. I get excited every time I see them. They’re absolutely adorable. The partners in my store love being silly… being silly with our customers is an added bonus. It helps take them/us out of our stressful lives for just a moment and enjoy life for a while. It seems to me, that’s part of what Starbucks is all about, am I right?
The issue with the name tags, in our store, is less about having our names out there for everyone to see. We all wear our personalities out in the open, and by character are mostly extroverted. Some more so than others, but having our names known isn’t the issue at all. I feel it takes away from natural conversation. For a customer who just comes in once in a blue moon, he/she likely doesn’t care what my name is. For my every day customers, its part of conversation. We see each other as often as our immediate family members. They’ve become a part of our Starbucks Family.
A monogrammed apron for seasoned employees is a FANTASTIC idea. It strengthens that bond and makes their place in the company more permanent and shows they have value to the company and their store. Removable name tags… I agree, they have a “disposable” look to them.
Though I wonder if anyone has noticed… they’re fashioned to represent a smaller version of our menu boards… which are decorated by our baristas.
I am a partner with Starbucks. As someone else stated numerous baristas have stalkers. I myself had a stalker a few years ago. I will definitely not be putting my real name on the name tag, especially since we walk (alone) to work at 4:15 in the morning. Risking my life is certainly not worth a cup of coffee. I also asked a friend her opinion. She feels that name tags take away from the atmosphere of Starbucks, making it feel even more so like a fast food restaurant rather than a welcoming coffee shop.
Came back to add this so that everyone can see what I am talking about when I call them ugly and sloppy. This happened today shortly after putting my name tag on – http://instagram.com/p/VC9xgYQuLC/
I had to rewrite my name three times tonight.
Partner Unknown I totally understand and respect the issue of stalkers and using another name. Where I disagree with you is that you say name tags take away from the atmosphere of SB (actually your friend said it and am not clear if you agree with it) because partners like to get to know customers and ask for their names and when they say hello to me by name and chat with me, I like to say hello to them by name.
I thought its compulsory for all the partners to wear name tags? Hmm, that’s weird, here all the partners must wear one. I like to write down their names once I see new partners just so that I can remember their names. LOL. Anyway, great idea, it can creates friendlier environment… =)
@Kitenarie – Messy is right! Names on aprons is much better. @Khaled – From what I know, name tages have long been common in some of the international Starbucks markets. I think the UK did a big push about one year ago for name tags and names on cups. (I think?) But yeah, this is new to the US market. I agree, it is friendlier to know the name of the person who is helping you!
Melody, I couldn’t agree more. My SM is currently looking into embroidery for us, but until then I’m stuck re-writing my name and accidentally getting chalk pen on my arm if I’m not careful enough.
Yesterday, I was having a discussion with a partner about the pros and cons of the name tags. He said he was concerned for the female partners because there are some strange customers that come in and then there are customers that like to complain a lot and they get angry. He also understood the positive side to the name tags. My local SB is waiting for the aprons with their names on it. I just am curious- as others have voiced re complaints, at your local SB is there a specific thing customers complain about on an ongoing basis, complain in general, and how often are these complaints valid?
@purple, I don’t find that to be a serious concern at my store. We did, for a little while when I first started, have a customer that called to complain about us so often that when the DM picked up, her instinct was to ask “and how did a partner in (town) offend you, now, (name)?” When we changed SMs, she made it her mission to make this particular customer love us, which now she does, pretty much through responding to every grump and every issue with a smile and kindness. How can you not love someone that responds with kindness at every turn? (But even if you can’t, we’ve still provided excellent customer service, so… hey. It all works in the end.) 🙂
What really bothers me is the people who rate us lower on customer voice for things that are out of my hands – it is not my fault that Gold Card holders don’t get free soy anymore. I think a lot of people don’t recognize that the survey is to capture a specific visit, and not their impression of Starbucks as a whole, and that is not fair.
The embroidered aprons finally arrived at my local SB and I like them. The names are off to the right side of the apron facing you and the names are not too big and in a nice font.
I can understand the name tags, when I was a partner in the 90’s we never had them. I star work on Monday as a Shift Supervisor and the name tags were implemented a week ago. Also when I worked years ago we always asked for your first name to put on the cup. I’m glad to have that personal touch back again!
@Jennie – Just want to say good luck on your first day back as a partner tomorrow!! I hope you have found a well run store with a dynamic team. I can honestly say that there are some Starbucks locations that need improving – in both the customer and the partner experience. It’s always going to be like that with a huge company. I hope you’ll check back in and tell me how it is going.
I love our new name tags! Yes, it is a bit frustrating having to rewrite them every couple days because the chalk does like to smear, and yes, my apron does tend to sag a bit in front where they’re clipped on, but otherwise, I really have no complaints. It does make it easier for customers to get your attention when they need something and allows you to connect with them more. Not to mention, as my SM said, if we’re asking for names we should be supplying our own.
I actually had one elderly customer who’s a regular nearly jump for joy when we got our name tags; despite coming in everyday, she has a hard time remembering all of our names and feels really bad about it, especially since we all know her name and both of her highly customized cold- and warm-weather drinks. She’s so happy that she can now call all of us by name. 🙂