Starbucks...scary customer interrupts morning tea!

If you're like me, you mingle among the regular folks as you do your errands throughout the day.

Generally, when I cross paths with other pedestrians, store clerks, cashiers - the like - I try to be courteous.

But, on occasion, you happen across some wacko and there is bound to be a misunderstanding or two.

Like this morning, for instance.

Shortly after I slipped into Starbucks for my morning cup of tea, a strange man called out my name so loud, the other patrons were inclined to turn his way.

As I attempted to stroll to a table to avoid the stranger, he proceeded to follow me!

And, when I sat down and tried to peruse my newspaper, he hovered above me and tried to engage in a conversation with little regard for my privacy.

At this juncture, I was forced to inform him I wasn't interested in his company.

Instead of turning away, he proceeded to engage in a number of strange head games; in fact, he started to act like we were old friends, or something.

Egads!

So, I found myself quoting a line oft used by the wise and glamorous old-time film star Greta Garbo,

"I just want to be left alone"

It did the trick.

Thank you, Greta! Now I understand.

Sometimes a direct approach is the best course of action to follow.

Lord Byron once said,
"What is fame? The advantage of being known by people of whom you yourself know nothing, and for whom you care as little."

A Prince by any other name?

I dare not speak his name.

But, was that the oddball eccentric puffing wildly on a foot-long cigar in front of Starbucks yesterday, with ubiquitous Rolls Royce parked out front, screaming for attention?

I ran the other way, for fear he'd spy me, and claim to have had an affair!

Pssst!
He's known for an association with a certain Hungarian Bombshell prone to star in memorable Science Fiction low-budget clunkers like, Queen of Outer Space

Starbucks...baristas short-changed. Tip issue taints image!

Image of greed and questionable labor practice!

On the heels of news in recent months that sales are down at Starbucks - the java King was hit with another whammy this past week - where it hurts the most.

In the tip jar!

After reviewing pleadings in a class-action suit filed against the Seattle-based corporate giant, a Superior Court Judge in San Diego found that the company's policy of collecting tips and divvying out a portion of the baristas' spoils to supervisors and managers, was wrongful.

In her ruling Judge Patricia Cowett issued a directive that Starbucks cough the tip money back up with interest and that the practice of siphoning off funds to management stop.

In response, Starbucks vowed to appeal on the grounds that:

"The decision today in our view represents an extreme example of an abuse of the class-action procedures in California."

I disagree.

I have a number of friends who toil as professional waiters in expensive restaurants.

Usually they work together as a team and at the end of the night the tips are shared among the waiters, busboys, wine stewards and bartenders on duty.

The Starbucks practices are outrageous.

According to court pleadings, money collected in tip jars is stowed away in safes daily and divided up each week based on the staff's work schedule.

But - get this - supervisors and managers receive a portion of the tips!

It appears that instead of paying their management teams a proper salary, the coffee-maker has opted to supplement the incomes of the management teams off the backs of the baristas and the sweat of their brows.

Disreputable, at best!

But, what of the customers?

They have a right to be outraged, too.

Personally, I tend to tip based on the quality of service that day. And, if I plunk some cash into the jar, I expect that it be passed on to the person I am giving the nod to.

It irks me - as it does many others - that some employee down the line I've had no interaction with is receiving a portion of that tip money.

Moreover, to hold the tips is unconscionable!

Generally, waiters, bartenders, and service people rely on the cash flow each day to make ends meet.

How dare the managers lock up the funds and make 'em wait!

If Starbucks appeals the ruling, then consumers should boycot.

Otherwise, when will the greed end?

Yes, Java Devour - that new upstart down the street - is starting to look mighty appealing.

In the evening - I often saunter in there for an organic tea - then slip into a deep leather armchair and pen a post or two.

What do I find most appetizing about this little detour past Starbucks?

The understated decor, the flattering lighting, and - most of all - their inclination to provide a relaxing ambiance that is relatively commercial-free.

Java Detour entices!

Starbucks...sly competition outwits the leading java King. Gotcha!

Everyone was pretty much astounded this past week when Starbucks closed their doors mid-afternoon - posted an ominous sign on the door that said "Closed for Training" - and proceeded to leave their caffeine-deprived clients twistin' in the wind.

How dare they!

Seemed like such an oddball thing to do - or just maybe - it was a clever ploy to attract some attention at a time when the top bean in the java industry saw sales slipping through their fingers in recent days?

Sure worked.

I mean, didn't the little foray into the loopy world of uncertainty end up on the evening news, summarily landing 'em a lot of free publicity nationally?

Deny someone their fix and just see what's bound to happen!

Yup, the sly competition down the street one-upped 'em.

That "other place" posted a sign in their window, in eye-catching bold-faced type, which simply read:

"Try us. We're Trained already."

Ouch!

Yummie!

Starbucks...troops not coming home, according to staff!

I zipped into Starbucks tonight to grab one of my favorite snacks - the breakfast sandwhich - which I am fast-becoming addicted to. Built with peppercorn bacon, very tasty!

One of the service helpers asked the elegant woman in line in front of me if she would like to buy coffee for the troops. Under their new promotion, if a customer buys 6 lbs. for the men in the trenches, he or she gets 1 lb. of java free.

"Do they actually get the coffee," she chided the starbuck's server.

Yup, the young gal nodded in the affirmative.

The woman was a curious one, though. She probed further, "Do they have coffee grinders, too?"

"Oh yes," the fast-talking saleslady responded, quick on the uptake.

"We send 'em everything."

The woman turned and gave me a disbelieving look.

My turn.

When she asked me to make a contribution, I teased her a little.

"I thought the troops were comin' home?"

"No," she replied matter of fact. "They'll be over there for a while."

Huh?

Does Starbucks have an inside scoop on things?

Do tell, Jim Donald, we're all ears.