I visited a Starbucks yesterday and was reminded of why I usually go to local coffee shops. The cashier greeted me with a sacarine "what can I get for you today?" Luckily, I've been to Scarbucks enough to know their sizing procedures and ordered without incident. Instead of the normal small, medium, large for coffee, it's tall (small), grande (medium) and venti (large). My friend, who had never been to a Starbucks ordered a small and they said, "you mean a tall?" I was afraid it might turn into a Who's on First sketch.
I really have nothing against Starbucks coffee shops. In fact, I've heard many stores treat their employees well and the corporation even offers health insurance to part time workers(most likely better and cheaper than what I'm offered at my quote professional job). No, it's nothing personal. It's the glut of being a mega-chain that leaves me cold. I think it's pre-planned "experiences" for customers and drive-through windows. It's the lack of bikes parked outside and the employee dress code. I'm sure when Starbucks started in the great Northwest it had more flavor and style. The problem is, it became the Wal-Mart of coffee.
2 comments:
Thought you might find this article interesting. I like your blog too ;)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/business/30sbux.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=Starbucks&st=nyt&scp=4
Aw, I totally get what you're saying. Today I had a Starbucks. Probably the 2nd time ever. It was in a grocery store and totally didn't have that cozy coffee shop feel. Not to mention my coffee tasted burnt. For some reason I felt a little "dirty" after drinking their coffee...like I'm buying into the commercialism or something. Just give me a .59 cent cup of gas station coffee and I'm good to go!
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