AIBU to complain about staff at my local Costa?

I'm sorry that happened, it is never acceptable. A complaint in that case is really warranted, and I'm sorry Costa are shitty enough not to have taken action.

That is COMPLETELY different to OP not getting a fake smile with her cappuccino

Are you me?!

I was literally having the same thoughts yesterday!!

I thought it was just a one off at the beginning however now it’s practically the same attitude at every visit.

almost like I’m being rude and putting them out by asking for a coffee.

Many mumsnetters are put up and shut up. I bet they treat the staff impolitely as well. Good manners gone out of the window. The other aspect that comes up is low wage being a reason for impoliteness. If people disagree with the low wage they can tip into the tip jar to the amount they think equals correct pay for the tasks.

calm down, OP.

What do you want the outcome to be? that when you go in next time she is fake jolly to you? would that make you feel better?
Do you want her warned? fired? that is utterly shit, wobble your head a bit.

If you don't like the service, don't go there. If it is convenient and you CBA to stretch a bit to make the effort to go elsewhere, put up and shut up.

There are billions of reasons that she might be abrupt. Do you really, in this economy, want to cause someone problems with their employer?

Don't work there then work behind the scenes where you don't deal with people. Easy.

I usually vote with my feet if I feel I've had poor service, whether it's lack of courtesy or sloppiness. A lot of UK catering businesses are run with too few staff meaning you wait ages, tables aren't cleared and cleaned and it's an expensive and somewhat soul destroying appearance. We're supposed to suck up surliness and unclean surroundings because they're on low wages. It's poor culture and it comes from the top.

Also are you always this rude.
Encountered a very rude lady at our local leisure centre the other week
I told her she denied it of course but at least she knew.
Don't people in the public eye want to be known for being happy and friendly it's so much better to.be thought of in a nice way.

Surely being pleasant to customers comes under the description of "customer service"?

Isn't making the coffee the customer service she's paid for. I'm really not sure being blunt is a sacking offence.

In the costa in my local shopping centre I had a young woman unsmilingly bang my black forest frappe on the counter. I just assumed she was sick of lame customers

What did she actually do?

Was she non-communicative because she just grunted at you and didn't speak? Or did she just not ask if you were having a nice day?

Did she actively look pissed off or was she just not smiling?

Did you throw your drink at you without looking or just place it on the side for you to take and then carry on?

I have lots of feedback from customers saying I'm friendly, helpful, polite etc. The one negative complaint called me rude and belittling. The reason? I'd told her something she didn't want to hear but was the truth, I didn't say it particularly rudely or bluntly just pointed out a fact.

I agree with RabbitsRock - I once worked in a coffee shop for a few years. There was a lot going on in my life but it's part of your job to be pleasant and polite - it's hospitality.

I had to return some clothing to Asda once & was served by a miserable rude woman. Wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt (that she was just having a bad day) but she was exactly the same every time I went in after that . Really brought me down actually. Then complete contrast at the checkouts where there was a lovely friendly chap & I left the store smiling. I agree with pps that if you work directly with the public, it’s part of your job to be pleasant & polite. I love my job on the tills & get a boost from lots of compliments on my service. You have to gauge the situation & I’ve learnt to quickly pick up on whether a customer is open to chat or not. I rarely get rudeness but if someone is, I tend to be extra nice in an attempt to take the wind out of their sails!
I agree with Avatartar

Did you get your drink? If yes, then let it go.

Maybe she doesnt have the energy to put a happy face on and chit chat for your benefit. Why make her life worse.

No, it’s not ‘stooping to her level’, it’s being much nastier.
She hasn’t insulted op, just not been sufficiently cheery as op considers she should be.

I think the "fake smile" culture has gone too far. I'm actually suspicious of those who are a little too friendly and smiley, especially if they're trying to sell me something.

I work with someone who is classed as ‘miserable and rude’ by customers, except that is literally the personality of the individual. She is honest but doesn’t ‘flower’ her language, people’s perceptions and expectations can be part of the issue.

I was served by a rude and unhelpful woman on a supermarket pharmacy counter this week. Maybe she hates her job, maybe she has something going on in her life. In an ideal world we would all receive a wage we can live on and feel our employer values and respects us. In all likelihood this is not the case and the result is staff who don't give a shit about being smiley and cheery to customers.

Jesus people set a really low bar for customer service.. you don’t need fake smiles, “ how are your todays “ just a tone that doesn’t say “ fuck off” and a face that isn’t scowling. I’m sure many of us have done shop work / hospitality work in our times and earning lower wages doesn’t entitle you to be dicks to the customers. Being a paying customer doesn’t entitle you to be dicks to the staff either. And honestly if you can’t handle a little bit of a chit chat with someone in the course of your day then maybe stay at home and do us all a favour.

You could also point out that her face looks a bulldog's trying to lick p!ss off a nettle.
But that's only stooping to her level... 😁

So just being polite is a “High expectation “ - how low has customer service sunk. You’re in a job and just need to be neutral - polite and do the job. It’s the same for all customer jobs.

You never know what’s going on in someone’s life, she may be going through a really rough time yet having to face customers with high expectations whilst earning close to minimum wage.
why would you put someone’s job on the line for what can only be a minute or two interaction?

I just wouldn’t bother going in there again I think. Find somewhere that values your custom.

"Being blunt" is subjective. I can't think of many exchanges that would happen in a coffee shop that would be actually rude if they weren't frilly ' "here is your order" is fine.

If OP can't actually say what she said I'd assume you didn't like whatever expression she was making or the fact she didn't kiss your arse, which is not something to 'report'.

My thought is that she’s doing a dull and low-paid job and you’re expecting special treatment for some reason.