Blog Archives
…drop a hint
The coffee cup has long been an instrument of communication. Over the years, many a message has been sent via Starbucks, whether it be your name, preferred milk fat content, syrup flavor, or the phone number of your local barista, the disposable coffee cup is no stranger to the scribbled note.
Now it’s going political. If you head to any Starbucks for your caffeine fix this Thursday or Friday(in the Washington D.C. area), prepare yourself for the possibility of propaganda.
Starbucks’ CEO, Howard Schultz, is encouraging baristas at the 120 Washington-area cafes to emblazon your lattes with the phrase “Come Together” as a gentle reminder to lawmakers (or at least the caffeinated ones) of the importance of compromise when working towards a solution.
True, these words may not make it past the interns on coffee duty, but the sentiment has already been heard.
Is it crossing a line? Maybe, but the simple fact is that someone’s going to have to cross that line (or at least the aisle) if anything is going to be solved. If it takes a few coffee cup notes to remind our elected officials, perhaps it’s a line worth crossing.
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NBC News: Starbucks to Congress: ‘Come Together’ on the Fiscal Cliff Deal
…bi-daily smile…
…hear yourself think
…don’t try this at home…
Few people are looking for more distraction in their lives. I doubt any of you have heard someone say, “Gee, I wish I could focus a little bit less.” While a little distraction may be a good thing from time to time, for the most part we all wish we could find the secret to focusing.
I’ve found it: distract yourself.
Mildly distract yourself, I should say. A new study has found (as they so often do) that If you’re looking to focus and be productive, ambient noise is your friend. The murmur of conversation, sound of scurrying baristas should be just what you need.
It sounds like you need a Starbucks. Lucky for you (odds are) they’re just around the corner (each and every one). You may have thought that a Starbucks every half-block was a bit overkill, little did you know just how helpful they were trying to be. They give and give and give…
Of course if Starbucks is to “chainy” for you I’m sure a locally owned cafe (with free WiFi) would work just fine. Enjoy you’re independently operated focus.
Just promise me one thing. Buy something. Don’t be one of “those” people. No one likes a focus mooch…you know who you are.
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“Need to Brainstorm? Head to Starbucks”: TIME
…bi-daily smile…
…same idea:
…check in
...where anyone can be mayor...except...
Mr. President,
First of all, happy belated birthday. Hope everything’s good with you and the family.
Now, down to business. It has come to our attention that you recently joined Foursquare, the social networking site which allows users to check in at different locations, gaining them special deals, and (with enough determination) the clout of being the mayor of a location.
Such prestige of course being attained by checking in at a certain location more than all other Foursquare users. Because who doesn’t dream of hanging out at the nearest Starbucks more than everyone else?
On that note, it has also come to our attention that you are not the mayor of the White House or the Oval Office.
I can imagine that the perks of checking in at these places are probably not as rewarding as say free chips and salsa at Chili’s, or a free six-pack of bao at Wow Bao (mayors only).
Although you might consider a half-off foreign affairs check in bonus or something like that…just saying.
We understand that your Foursquare account doesn’t actually allow you to check in anywhere, for Secret Service related reasons.
Tough choices come with the territory, and it may be time to pull some strings and see if you can’t get yourself an honorary “mayorship.”
Some might see it as an abuse of power, but I have one question for you: Who is this Chris C. and how is he hanging out in the Oval Office more that you are?
Because really, it’s a question of pride. If we don’t have our online prestige, then what do we have really?
Think about it.
Best of luck with running the country.
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizen and Avid Foursquare Evader
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“Obama Joins Foursquare, Isn’t Even Mayor of Oval Office”: MSNBC
Spoiler Alert: They’ve found happiness. It’s just around the corner…
…mellow out
...I'd say it's half full...
Speed and quality. Can you have one without sacrificing the other?
Starbucks doesn’t think so.
They’re telling their baristas to slow it down.
The slow down comes in response to complaints about the quality and consistency of Starbucks’ beverages.
Personally, I’ve always thought of lattes like snowflakes. No two are exactly the same. Yes some of it may end up brown and mushy in the street, but doesn’t that make the pristine stuff that much more precious?
That simile probably wouldn’t go over too well at the Starbucks board meeting, but that’s life.
Regardless, the new rule is only two drinks at a time (preparing not consuming, if you want to triple fist your morning latte that’s your business).
As an experienced barista I have to say that multi-tasking is part of the gig. If you can’t juggle at least four drinks at a time then you’re a newbie or soon to be replaced.
Don’t they know that baristas run on espresso and stress? This slow down could mess with some nerves (mainly of the slow twitch variety).
You’re reigning in some finely (and highly) caffeinated machines here Starbucks.
The hope is that by limiting baristas to two drinks at a time they will decrease mistakes and increase quality.
Yes, it will probably result in longer lines. The question is, is it worth it? How much does your morning mocha matter?
Hurry on down to your local Starbucks to find out. Just be prepared to wait.
“At Starbucks, Baristas Told No More Than Two Drinks”: WSJ
…bi-daily smile…
…Read Between the Lines
Coffee addicts on the go, do not panic the next time you go through the Starbucks’ drive-through.
Despite what you may see on the menu you can still order your “tall” double mocha latte.
The “tall” just didn’t make the cut for the new streamlined 25 item drive-through menu.
Shockingly, the “venti” and “grande” sizes (or “electric socket” and “liquid lightening” if you prefer) were able to squeeze on to this more exclusive menu.
For those cynics out there shaking your heads, don’t pass your judgment quite yet (it’s polite to listen to the other side’s explanation…however wrong it may be).
Starbucks is merely trying to make the purchasing process simpler for the customer.
Before java enthusiasts got bombarded with 75 menu items. And they could kind of sort of make out at least one or two items in that crazy coffee chaos (tiny print and too much and/or too little caffeine don’t mix well). So, something had to go.
Now, I realize that on word length alone, “venti” and “grande” take up more room (and cause others to take up more room), but they are also more popular than the “tall” size.
Plus, there are “value” items still on the menu. So, obviously Starbucks is not trying to persuade customers into buying the larger sizes (that’s their story and they’re sticking to it).
It’s the same reasoning behind the absence of the “short” from all of the Starbucks’ menus (yes, that’s right there’s a size smaller than the “tall”).
Okay, you may now feel free to judge.
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More on the Story: A Tall Order
…just for fun:
Zer
Stephanie
The2Women
