Work is a part of life. Most of us will spend a significant portion of our years clocking in and out, day after day, to cover bills, buy groceries, and take care of ourselves or our families.
Ideally, a job would be something fulfilling—something we love. But for many, especially students or young adults entering the workforce for the first time, a job is simply a means to an end. A paycheck. Survival.
Do you remember your first job? Was it exciting—or exhausting?
For one Starbucks employee, it’s proving to be the latter.
In a now-viral video shared to social media, a transgender barista records himself in tears while hiding in the stockroom at work. Clearly distressed, he vents about his manager, the difficult schedule, rude customers, and the lack of a workers’ union. He also opens up about the emotional toll of being repeatedly misgendered on the job.
But the tipping point, he says, is the schedule.
“I’m a full-time student,” he explains. “They’ve scheduled me for 25 hours a week, and on weekends I’m working open to close—8 and a half hours both Saturday and Sunday.”
While an 8-hour shift may not seem excessive to some, for a student juggling classes, studies, and emotional stress, it can feel overwhelming.
The video has sparked a fierce online debate—some viewers sympathize deeply with the young worker’s struggle, while others argue it’s simply part of adult life.
What do you think—valid burnout or a reality check?
While trying to hold back tears, the Starbucks employee shared that he was seriously considering quitting. His voice cracked as he described feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, and emotionally drained. But while some viewers empathized with his pain, others saw the video as an overreaction—and they didn’t hold back in the comments.
One critic wrote bluntly:
“Do I have any sympathy for this young spoiled kid? No. At 17, I was overseas with an M-16. Twelve-hour days, sometimes around the clock. Bad food, bad weather, dangerous conditions… some of the best times of my life and friendships that lasted a lifetime. Grow up, kid.”
Another echoed that sentiment:
“I feel like the world is getting softer by the second… Never seen so many babies cry collectively. This world owes us nothing. Work hard, climb the ladder, and stop whining. Simple.”
But not everyone dismissed the barista’s tears. Many stood up for him, reminding others that frustration—even in a part-time job—is valid, especially when you’re balancing school and life.
One supporter wrote:
“He’s allowed to be frustrated with Starbucks and a manager who doesn’t pull their weight. People are harping on his 8-hour shifts, but working on top of being a full-time student is exhausting. He’s venting. So what?”
Another added:
“25 hours a week plus being a full-time student is stressful. We talk so much about work-life balance and mental health, but when someone shows vulnerability, we call them weak. Shame on us. When will we actually practice what we preach?”
So where do you stand?
Was the emotional breakdown a valid expression of burnout—or an example of entitlement in a tougher-than-ever world?