Starbucks to have baristas talk to customers about race relations (Obama, money)

[FKD19124]

when do go for coffee and linger like that, Ill go to Panera bread. Better coffee and atmosphere.

Originally Posted by ALackOfCreativity

Eh, I go sometimes. You're not just buying a coffee, you're buying a more pleasant environment; which matters if you're going to linger for half an hour or with business colleagues or with friends who care about that sort of thing. I really don't understand the people who walk in alone, buy a drink, and then immediately leave, but there are legit reasons to choose them over cheaper places sometimes.

That said, I'd actually respond to this much more negatively (in terms of being less likely to go back to that location if it happened) at Starbucks than at a cheaper place, because part of what I'm paying for is not having to put up with anyone - customer or staff - bothering me unasked.

[Volobjectitarian]

Originally Posted by NJBest

You actually like their coffee?

When it's convenient, sure. I don't buy it for the home, I don't buy it for my work's coffee club, but now and again, I am in the mood for a cup and they are the closest coffee shop to me when I get the urge. happens like 3-4 times a year maybe. But even that seldom patronage is over with, now that they have corporate instruction to try to engage me in racial sermonizing.

[oberon_1]

Interesting why some people feel there isn't enough talk about race relations. At least on this board and probably on million others, there is nothing else.
To cool off the athmosphere, we should avoid this topic for some time.

[WestCobb]

Originally Posted by WaldoKitty

The Starbucks Director of Communications has deleted his twitter account. LOL

Apparently he really isn't ready to talk about it.

Starbucks exec deletes Twitter account after RaceTogether backlash

lolol... on second thought, maybe it *is* a bad idea to encourage service workers to engage your customers in controversial topics. Who knew?

[Felix C]

DD gives you a free donut when you purchase a medium or large coffee. Starbucks gives you an "are you aware of your white privilege?" lecture.

[Adhom]

All derision aside, any idea how this will be implemented?

[daylux]

Originally Posted by Felix C

DD gives you a free donut when you purchase a medium or large coffee. Starbucks gives you an "are you aware of your white privilege?" lecture.

I'm going to check this out. A latte from SB probably has as many calories as a donut anyway.

[Georgiafrog]

Originally Posted by Adhom

All derision aside, any idea how this will be implemented?

Well, if I were charged with instituting this policy change, I would start be walking out into the parking lot, getting in the car, and driving home. Then I would update my resume, and begin outreach to contacts. It might be tough at first having left my job with no notice, but I believe that after a while something would come along.

Really though, I do like the taste of Starbucks coffee, but this is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in quite a while. The coffee isn't good enough to bring me there for this crap.

[Delahanty]

From what I read, there were a number of topics they were going to scribble about. Nutrition, however wasn't one of them.

[marcopolo]

If I get any of this the next time I go to FourBucks for coffee, I'm going to start telling Etruscan jokes.

But really, it sounds like a Chinese fire drill that is more likely to result in a Mexican standoff than any real social progress, just jewing us out of time we could spend more profitably.