4 Comments

1. dhammy says:

   May 28, 2010 at 10:09 am

   Excellent article, MAS! I was about to call you a Char$ sellout but then I read the article Sounds like an entertaining couple of days.
2. bones says:

   May 31, 2010 at 1:24 am

   By far the best article you have written Mike. Comprehensive, thoughtful, unbiased. Overall very good writing about a unique experience.

   I cannot refer to you as MAS or Michael. I am not gay nor a girl.
3. bones says:

   Jun 1, 2010 at 7:31 pm

   I like the burnt taste or more likely I have been conditioned thru repeat exposure to like it. The people at Starbucks are nice. Starbucks seems to treat everyone equally kind. Maybe you have built up goodwill at third-wave stores but I think most people could not.

   For example: Independent stores seem to first posit whether you are cool enough to be there via your neck-tattoos, ironic t-shirts, etc. I have always thought that the indie-rocker look has everything to do with being an outcaste/insecurity. If a person can’t fit in to regular society it is likely he will rebel and figuratively call others’ grapes sour. You never see attractive girls there, just some quirky bespectacled girl in mismatched clothes.

   It is funny how 80% of Starbucks business has nothing to do with their product, but instead their customer service. Your review mirrors my own experience with Starbucks.

   I had been going to a local coffee shop almost daily for a long time, yet they never seemed to acknowledge me. I mean these fucks saw me every single day, but yet they always treated me like a first-time stranger/customer. Coincidentally, I always felt like I was infringing on them; whenever I left I had to vague feeling that I was somehow a jerk.

   One day, I did not complain but rather mentioned that the coffee did not taste right. I was given another cup and again politely mentioned my displeasure. Even though I thought I had built up a lot of goodwill they treated me like I was some rube who just walked in and caused a mess. They were like “sorry, I can’t help you.” I didn’t want help or coffee; I guess I wanted to be acknowledged.

   I never went back. Now, I drink at home or only go to chain stores.

   Dennis Miller said “nothing says limited career opportunities like tattoos.” I take some delight in knowing unless those employees plan on being rock stars (.0001% success rate) they will likely be working at those coffee shops forever.
4. MAS says:

   Jun 2, 2010 at 8:19 am

   Next time you are down by the market, visit Seattle Coffee Works (107 Pike). Their customer base has a high percentage of tourists. You will get excellent coffee there and zero attitude.