I was pulling shots at 07:12, right? Out of nowhere the boss pokes my shoulder all annoyed and goes, “Hurry up, the place is full,” even though the only order in queue was one big set that takes like 20 minutes to prep. And the other person who was on the coffee line had disappeared to the back — totally quiet. Felt so meh.

I’m 34, been a barista for eight years, working in Samut Prakan at a suburban coffee shop where a lot of morning commuters stop by. I’m the one who opens the shop most often because some teammates have super free-lance lives, our schedules never match. Mornings I have to handle everything — espresso, drip, make sauces, bake stuff — while two others take orders and buss tables. On paper it’s divided, but it never actually fits together.

Last month got heavier than usual because there was a promotion. Boss had me test new menu items with another coworker. I put down what we tried in a little notebook (red pen even), collected customer feedback for like three days. Then when the promo launched, boss posted the photos saying “team idea” or whatever. Fine. But when customers complained about taste inconsistency, he pointed fingers at me, said I wasn’t thorough. Meanwhile the trainer quit nearly two months ago and the person who helped is a total newbie. We’re supposed to train ourselves during rush hour like it’s casual.

Shifts get swapped randomly too. Boss changes the roster at night via LINE, sometimes makes me standby around 8:00 PM because a coworker wants to go have dinner with their partner. Who would’ve thought a giant tray order would come at 8:30 and I’d have to clear it solo? Then the next morning someone asks why the crackle cakes ran out, even though I’d prepped — they just said the presentation wasn’t “pretty enough.” Like, come on.

I tried talking to the boss politely, asking for training time and a little compensation because I was experimenting and giving samples to customers to collect feedback. His reply: “No need, just do it, customers will like it.” Tone was just ordering — unpaid extra work off the clock became normal, staying late without extra pay. Sigh.

One thing that really bothered me: a coworker likes to claim he came up with recipes, even though I’m the one who finalized them. He talks to customers like it was his idea, they praise it, and when I ask about the steps he laughs it off, “Ah, we just worked on it together.” If I bring it up it feels petty and like I’d kill the vibe in the shop, but inside I think it’s unfair that my effort becomes invisible all the time.

I love coffee, but lately I wake up some days and don’t want to go to work. Feeling burned out. I want to do coffee properly but the chaotic shift management and duties sap my motivation — like I’m pushed to do everything yet have almost no right to speak up or get credit. Really frustrating... I obsess over it a lot.

Maybe I’m overthinking, or maybe I should be firmer in negotiations. But if I push hard, I’m afraid the shop vibe will get tense and customers will notice, and the backlash will bounce back to me. It’s a loop. So annoying lol.

Anyone else who works in coffee or service ever deal with this — the heavy workload isn’t as bad as the unfairness that crushes you? How should I communicate so the boss understands that work allocation needs to be more systematic without coming off as difficult? And if it can’t be fixed, should I just look for a new job? I’m scared of switching and ending up with the same pressure again T_T

P.S. If anyone has quick tips to keep from losing my love for coffee — like fast ways to jot down ideas or how to ask for credit when launching a new menu — please share. Much appreciated in advance.