Hello12345 - I agree with you that putting things in people's drinks and food isn't right. I didn't read the Visine thing myself on here, but I've read multiple posts from a person advocating putting urine in customer drinks (I'd rather drink the Visine obviously...lol). Do these things actually happen? As others have pointed out, it would be very difficult to do so undetected.
While I certainly don't agree with it, extremes like that aren't the norm. And as others have pointed out, even the partners saying that they engage in such behavior might not be actually doing so.
I realize that you aren't coming down on everyone on this site (and I'm not coming down on YOU by any means)....and trust me, as a customer, I've read some things on here that make me actually stop and say "wow". But then I remember the purpose of this site. And I remember that I don't treat the Starbucks employees like the hired help. I am always polite - "please", "thank you". I leave tips in their tip jar (no...that isn't required, but I personally view it the same as tipping a bartender - they are preparing a drink for me, so I leave a tip in both scenarios). The point is, unless you are a total **** when asking to have a drink remade, you really don't have to worry about someone tampering with your drink. Again, I agree that putting things in people's drinks is wrong....but if you treat the folks behind the counter with respect, I have to believe that they will reciprocate. And they always have in my own experience.
As much I've I stopped and said "wow" when reading some of the comments about customers, I think I've said that even more when reading what some of the customers do to the Starbucks employees. Throwing things at them? Screaming because their 10-modifier drink isn't exactly perfect? I really think it works both ways.
Anyway, I do agree with your basic premise...but life isn't always black and white. It's not always as clear-cut as "quit and find a new job". As others have posted, perhaps their life at the moment mandates the flexibility of their schedule at Starbucks. Or even though it doesn't pay a lot of money, it pays more than minimum wage...and in this stagnant economy, perhaps that's all that is otherwise available to them. There are a multitude of reasons why someone might stay at a job which makes them unhappy.
Anyway, that is my unsolicited "two cents". :)
becca001 - LOL. I thought that cruisy's post was going to go unnoticed. :)