The video, which has been viewed more than 800,000 times, was posted on Tony Vara’s TikTok account, @varatony.
“Me when I see Starbucks baristas complaining about making Starbucks drinks while they’re clocked in at Starbucks,” read the text over the video as the sound of a gloomy violin song played in the background.
TikTok is home to videos in which fast food employees have aired their frustrations about customers and feeling burnt out.
According to Forbes, burnout is common in the restaurant industry, and there are two sources—emotional labor and exhaustion.
Emotional labor can come from a rude customer during a busy shift or a demanding order.
If an establishment is understaffed, employees tend to feel the effects of being overworked, which can lead to exhaustion.
“The most common symptom of exhaustion is moving slowly, lacking focus and being less productive than usual,” the article said.
In Vara’s video, he stared straight into the camera as he mimicked the motion of playing a small violin between his fingers.
“Like I understand (look at my apron) that some customers are rude but I’ve seen a lot of you complaining about innocent light ice, extra shot, etc requests,” read the video’s caption. “Girl that’s literally your job make the drink.”
The video prompted viewers to weigh in, many of whom appreciated Vara’s message to baristas.
“I’m tired of baristas giving me dirty looks for ordering a frappe,” a viewer said. “Like I’m sorry it’s more work than other drinks but it’s still your job girl.”
“They complain as if they didn’t apply for their job like what did u expect to be doing at starbucks,” another wrote.
One said that they no longer make specific requests or customizations for their drinks because they do not want to “bother” the employees.
“We are literally getting paid to make the drink the way YOU want it, order it how you want,” Vara said in response. “Ignore those complainers!!!”
“Like yeah you’re allowed to complain about your job but I am not the devil for asking you to remove inclusions in my pink drink,” a viewer said.
A handful of viewers defended themselves in the comments section.
One said it does not matter what people order or the customizations to the drink, but customers should not expect it to be ready “in less than a minute.”
“My only problem is when customers straight up stare at me while I’m making their drinks like did [your] parents not teach you manners?” they commented.
Some wrote that they only complain if they are faced with difficult customers.
“I only complain when customers get an attitude like just ask for a remake calmly and politely and get out,” one viewer said. “There’s no need for attitude.”
However, a commenter said baristas should be able to complain about their jobs just as others complain about their own.
“I don’t get why baristas get jumped when we have grievances when we face the most vile behavior and have to smile and cater to them regardless,” they wrote.
Newsweek reached out to Tony Vara for comment.
Other discussions relating to working in the fast food industry have been taken to TikTok.
A video showing a customer defending a McDonald’s employee from another customer went viral.
Another viral video that showed a flyer advertising Chick-fil-A’s “Break the Record Day” sparked a debate, while a confrontation between a Burger King customer and an employee was captured in a viral video.
