Starbucks

I have been to many many different Starbucks shops all over the world in the past 10 years, and this past experience with an employee was the worst. I ordered the Teavana — sparkling iced tea in peach green tea lemonade. On the sign right in front of me it showed a picture of the tea with bubbles on top, and it said «sparkling iced tea» as well above the picture.
Once I got the drink, I immediately took a large sip because I was wanting that fizzy feeling… I didn’t taste any fizz… I took another sip and still didn’t taste any carbonation. I asked the barista if this was fizzy then she just mumbled «I didn’t make it», not sure what that meant but she definitely made it as I watched her make it. Since she was of no help, I went back up to the cashier and told her my drink wasn’t fizzy… She attacked me right away and said «you didn’t ask for fizzy». Correct me if I’m wrong (I took a pic of the sign) but the ad that caught my attention mentioned that they were «sparkling» teas… That’s the only reason why I decided to try one out today instead of my usual coffee.
I am only writing this review because of the way the cashier treated me and the situation. I know that Starbucks has a policy, where if you don’t like your drink for any reason that they are supposed to remake you one. This was never offered to me. She only argued with me and heated our discussion, when she could have easily just apologized and offered me the sparkling drink I ordered. If there was an OPTION of sparkling or non-​sparkling, I was never OFFERED this option, therefore, did not know that both options existed. It would be nice, Letizia, if you wouldn’t argue with Starbucks customers and just explained to them the options. You will keep more people happy this way.
Thank you.

Went on July 14^th 2015 at 1816. Left at 1824 without ordering anything because the person working the till was too busy socializing with the two girls who were standing there «ordering»
If people are taking that long, go to the person behind. Especially if that person looks tired as hell from working all night and really needs a freaking coffee.

Come here often when I’m working at the Stadium nearby. They’re pretty consistent, and do a good job with the drinks. Lots of seating, and even some outside.

I rarely make new year’s resolutions. Not that I’m afraid of failing at them or anything like that, I don’t make them because I don’t usually feel strong urges to change anything. A few years ago I made a resolution to try to avoid Starbucks for as long as I could. I broke that resolution. I broke it hard. I broke it at noon on January 1^st. The year was only 12 hours old. I went for dim sum in Richmond, and cruised around afterward looking for a coffee shop in that area that was open. Since then, it’s been easy. Now, for me, Starbucks is reserved for airports, business meetings (only when they make the suggestion), and San Antonio — because our office there is out near the airport.
I don’t know why it took me this long to write this review. Perhaps it’s for the fact that I just take Starbucks for granted. It’s always there, but I can always put it out of reach.
I do have one good thing to say about Starbucks: It’s this company that turned me into a daily coffee-​drinking junkie. And the same can be said for many others. Addiction is usually a terrible thing, but it’s this daily fix that gets me out of bed in the morning. In my early days of coffee, it was the only place I knew, and they made it easy. Rotating menus, stuff to look at, seasonal specialties. I ordered coffee by country names and felt great that my Geography major was paying off. I was young, foolish and never thought to explore. Looking back, I can’t imagine having to drink that type of brew every day. The art of the barista, too, is fading, with automated machines now doing the green-​apron labour in many locations. Small independent coffee shops deserve a try. Vancouver has a lot of choice to offer. Explore.