Ok, a new day has dawned on IHateStarbucks.com.
I no longer want to keep hacking the old, tired php on the site, so this is what I propose. These messages will remain up for all eternity. In addition, there is a new Guest book. So if you want to share your opinons, i.e. post to the site, go here. As always, if wish to rant or rave, send me an email: ihatestarbucks@gmail.com
| Name: | some guy 25986 |
| Date: | Jun 12 2007 07:53 PM |
| As far as the actual working conditions of Starbucks, I find it useless to complain, as there is no objective criterion by which I can honestly guage my alienation, poverty, etc. As the more clever proponents of the Starbucks Idea are quick to point out there are, indeed, worse alternatives. At least I do not work in a salt mine, a sweat shop, etc. If I don't like my job, surely there are others, the invisible hand will assuage my anxieties. At least I am not that malnourished child in Africa. At least I am not that unfortunate duck who, by no fault of his own, got his feet hopelessly caught in a structure of rings that once held together a six pack of Fresca and is consequently fated to an early demise. Indeed, the pathetic eyes of that duck should remind us how spoiled we are.
But, having no recourse to such an objective criterion, I can only rely on the unwavering truth of my own experience. If that starry eyed Barista had once proudly served coffee in the store that we share, it is sad to say, he or she is no more. Everyone is tired, perhaps disillusioned. Not pissed off, not trying to organize, just tired and tries to get out as quickly as possible so that they can at once regain their pride and agency through the nimble spirits of six or seven drinks after work. If we had solidarity in one thing, this is it. We don't demand anything, we really don't complain, we rarely smile at a customer (after years, you find that you can perform your job perfectly without really being aware of what you are doing and retreat to your Happy Place deep inside), we joke amongst ourselves to pass the time, etc. In fact, I don't even get mad anymore when someone swears that, having ordered a hazlenut cappuccino, they had been cheated out of their due volume of milk. I stare blankly at someone who is profoundly irritated over some matter concerning the temperature or sweetness of their drink. Starbucks has understood that the future market is absorbed in an economy of images, sentiments, morals and commitments and have used this knowledge to implement a working structure that can quantify and somehow reproduce these effects in their workers who are no longer invisible within the fenced compounds of industrial plants and warehouses. But perhaps their inability to sustain these images will result in the image of the barista, not as a smiling worker, nor as a charged activist, but as a tired, apathetic and indifferent worker who cuts corners at every turn and does not give a rats ass. If I offend a customer and he doesn't come back, oh well, to hell with him. Call me lazy, spoiled whatever. Remind me of Africa or ducks. I just don't care. So why am I writing this? Because I'm drunk and bored. |
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| Name: | Kyle 25960 |
| Date: | Jun 12 2007 04:43 PM |
| As a former "partner" and now working at an independent coffee house, I literally know the difference.
A few things Starbucks likes to throw out there that are simply not true!
Myth) Starbucks coffee is the best and freshest in the world.
Truth) When I worked at the Green Mongul Horde, our weekly shipments of coffee were already 2-3 MONTHS past the roasting date and would sometimes sit another 1 - 2 MONTHS on our shelves before being ground and used.
Anyone that knows antying about coffee knows that coffee is best and at its peak anywhere from 4 DAYS to 4 WEEKS max. after roasting before the coffee starts to decline in taste and freshness.
myth)Starbucks gives back to the community with things such as "Fair Trade" Coffee.
truth)To try and keep this simple (for Fair Trade coffee is a rather complex thing to dissect), Fair Trade requires a MINIMUM of 10% coffee profit to be given back to the community in which the coffee was bought. Most independent coffee shops that have Fair Trade coffee give much more than 10% and often times even supply workers, raw materials, and leadership to the very communities they buy from. Starbucks, on the other hand, gives the bare MINIMUM in order to simply slap the Fair Trade label on a few of their bags so that they can say they are "helping" 3rd world coffee communities. Again, the Buck gives bare minimum in hoping for maximum return and exposure.
myth)Starbucks has fully trained barista's to prepare and make your coffee drink.
truth) After having attended and performed in several barista competitions, I have never seen or heard of a current Starbucks employee at one of these competitions. The judging at these competitions not only include speed and presentation, but the knowledge and art of making lattes. (you are required to have "latte art" at almost all of these competitions).
I present this challenge to anyone. Go into any Starbucks and ask for a REAL latte (not one with hot milk and a ladle of "foam" on top) that includes latte art on top. Google latte art if you are not sure what to look for. Many inde coffee shops (including mine) will provide you with art. Not because it looks pretty, but because it proves the drink is made correctly. The milk has to be steamed with the perfect amount of FROTH, not "foam", in order to perfom the many designs in latte art.
I could go on, but for lack of time, will let you the reader compare and contrast yourself. If you know what to look for, you will find plenty of reasons why Starbucks is NOT the coffee king. Only in size and money revenue, which means absolutly nothing to the true and pure coffee lover! |
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| Name: | J. Shell 25967 |
| Date: | Jun 12 2007 04:43 PM |
| One other thing.....
Beijing, China. The Forbidden City is an emblem of China's history, a history of 1000's of years. Up until the late 1800's, no commoner was allowed in. The imperial palace was reserved only for the Emperor, his concubines, and the hordes of servants it took to run the palace. It is a massive structure with an unbelievable history.
As I wandered the corridors and courtyards last year, taken in by the beautiful architecture, wondering about the secrets of palace intrigue and royal scandal, thinking of scenes that had taken place in thousands of years of emperors and royalty, the huge processions that would have been arrayed for the emperor as he moved about the palace with hundreds of servants cowtowing in his presence. I was really enjoying my step back in ancient history when I came around a corner.
There, in front of me was a line of tourists, mostly of anglo descent. They all stood in the line fanning themselves, leaning against the massive ancient walls where concubines had whispered in each others ears hundreds of years before. I wondered if there was a special exhibit or attraction I hadn't read about in my map. I followed the line and was dumbfounded to see what they were waiting for; Starbucks or Xi Ba Ke in Chinese.
I really could not believe it. Not only are Americans/Westerners obsessed with Starbucks, they can't even make it through a couple hours of ancient history without their grande frapucino. I was saddened to see that not only was Starbucks influencing American culture in a significant way, it was now coming to Asia. Not only was it in Beijing, it was in the middle of a beautiful and historic museum. Congratuations Starbucks on marketing coffee to a tea-drinking communist nation; not that the average Chinese could afford a cup of coffee there. And congratulations to the communist government for selling out on communism to make a quick buck (or RMB) from those impatient tourists who just CAN'T go without their lattes. |
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| Name: | J. Shell 25964 |
| Date: | Jun 12 2007 04:39 PM |
| Just found your site today and really enjoyed surfing around. I must admit I've been on the fence about coffee shops. Recently, I was pushed off. Your website lists good coffee shops. One of them, Bad Ass Coffee in Columbia SC, was my alternative. It was close to my house and had decent coffee. They recently went out of business. Is it not interesting that one block down is Starbucks? I was recently stranded for two hours in Chicago at a Metra station. The only coffee shop within walking distance was Starbucks. I didn't go in, although I really wanted a cup of coffee.
Just as an FYI: the BEST place, if you're in Columbia, for a cup of coffee is Cool Beans. Great atmosphere and right on the campus of USC. |
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| Name: | Mary S 26023 |
| Date: | Jun 12 2007 02:33 PM |
| An interesting experiment would be if Starbucks started putting their coffee in plain white cups-no logo-nothing. How much would they sell then? Just like a Gucci purse, the green and white cup has become sort of a status symbol. It says "I can afford a $6.00 cup of coffee" and makes the coffee drinker feel somewhat superior. Just a thought. |
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| Name: | manager 25603 |
| Date: | Jun 10 2007 04:32 PM |
| I work there, 8 yrs. The pay for Managers, not bad, the others.....very sad! I hate giving a 25 cent raise because that is the MAX amount for a great performer?! WHAT? I end up giving a lot of cash and presents to keep the good ones, and even the average ones. It sucks, the whole thing has gotten messed up and out of control. If you come to work and don't have a melt down, you rock and you deserve better. They do keep a lot of people because of the way above average benefits package. If we didn't have that I would bail for sure. I teach classes about our coffee roasting process and everything I have read on here is TRUE. We over roast, and make tons of $ selling the caffeine to the drug companies and soda companies. I hope the big dogs really do read this site and get a clue to use some of the crazy profits to keep good people, and for fellow managers, try to make the hell hole tollerable for the staff....it's ?!@#$ beverages, not rocket science. I can't believe what some of the employees say their managers do---get out! |
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| Name: | bobbcat 25836 |
| Date: | Jun 08 2007 05:44 PM |
| Read article today in LA times written by that reporter who was relegated to a back room at a SB in Saudi Arabia. Cannot approve of a company who would allow something like that. I don't care what the local customs are if they infringe on basic human rights and fly in the face of our society's concept of what truly civilized behavior entails.
It's been a pleasure reading the entries on this site. Why do I care? My husband wants to work for this company when he retires, and I do not think this is a good idea at all. |
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| Name: | Mary S. 25690 |
| Date: | Jun 07 2007 06:52 PM |
| Let me first confess-I hate and despise chain stores and restaurants. With that said, in the Washington, DC suburbs where I live-there is one town in VA where they are Starbucks that are 2 blocks away from each other. The green monster is everywhere. It is so much nicer to go into an independentaly owned coffee shop, see the same people, and owners everytime you go in. I guess people think they are hip and happening walking around with a Starbucks cup-it has become some sort of bizarre status symbol. I swore off Starbucks years ago when they became so huge and the employees got miffed if I wanted a bag of coffee ground. I now order my coffee gound from a local roaster (who will grind it anyway I ask with a smile) and take it with me in my insulated travel cup. It is more exclusive than Starbucks because is is a smaller company with what I think is superior coffee. It has converted a friend of mine who used to love the burnt swill Starbucks dispenses. If I am out and about-I look for independent coffee shops. |
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| Name: | J-Bou 25686 |
| Date: | Jun 07 2007 06:50 PM |
| I agree with the comment on Starbucks' "fair trade certified" coffee. Where is it? Trust me, go to any Caribou Coffee right now and you'll notice that though they are also a corporation...they are trying to become 100% Fair Trade Certified by 2015. And from what I hear, it's not an easy transition. Starbucks on the other hand, has one coffee that is certified. I challenge you, ask one of their employees what the certification means. I did, they gave me a half smile and dug out some brochure. HAHA. Oh man, does one not need a brain to become employed with this company? |
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| Name: | Penny 25223 |
| Date: | Jun 07 2007 06:49 PM |
| I love coffee. Not just drinking it, but also learning about the different varieties, where the beans originated, which ingredients would improve the drinking experience; to me it is more than a beverage.
For many coffee conjures up images of smart, young city slickers and classy, parisian cafés. Unfortunately Starbucks seems to have tapped in on this image, promising to sell us culture and refinement in the form of caramel-whipped crap.
It disgusts me to see that something so fine and flavoursome has been americanised and exploited purely for profit.
The only thing that tastes remotely like coffee from Starbucks is their espresso shots and even those would offend any true coffee-lover's tastebuds.
It's a shame that the next generation are going to grow up under the impression that Starbucks is what coffee is really about. |
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| Name: | Jim G. 25356 |
| Date: | Jun 05 2007 05:08 PM |
| Ask your local Starbux about their Fair Trade coffee. It makes up one per cent of their purchases-is usually hidden in their stores and used for marketing but then again a law suite with Ethiopia about naming rights does take money. Producers- 25 million families across the world are hurting because coffee prices are at a 7 year low. See any drop in your lattes? |
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| Name: | Jacqueline S. Kurz-Dunn 24986 |
| Date: | Jun 05 2007 04:39 PM |
| Starbucks:
Snob sludge
Nouveaux riche shit.
Sister-in-law bitch juice. |
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| Name: | Crap o' Latte 24962 |
| Date: | Jun 05 2007 04:39 PM |
| Starbucks is such a piece of Garbage. THE WORST JOB I HAVE EVER HAD!!!! I am so glad I am almost out, though. The pressure is UNBEARABLE! The manager is constantly on your a$$ because their Discrict manager is on their a$$. There is never a thank-you from either one of those people, only more complaints, threats, and orders. I have never heard a please or a thank-you. It's like getting charged with murder if you go overtime, yet, there are never enough people to even get through a rush. If you are wondering why drinks and service are crappy it's because all the good employees are leaving. We get treated like slaves, "raises" that do not even hit 25 cents. Customers? RUDE, RUDE, RUDE! I have never seen or heard such nasty, stuck up people in my life... who by the way, tip like crap.Starbuck's customers think they are so sophisticated and proper, yeah right! They come in, eat like pigs, leave crumbs all over the floor, cups thrown on tables, and leave the bathrooms a disaster, order while on the cell phone or while shoving a piece of pastry in their mouth. They gross me out. All I have to say is that I feel sorry for any person who has to get stuck being a barista, shift, supervising manager, or Manager (that is... if it is your only option to to stay because that is your "career" choice) BEST OF LUCK TO YOU MORONS. I am 100% for mom and pop shops... great service, and real, genuine people. Starbucks can go to hell. :) Have a great day! |
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| Name: | Starbucks employee 25244 |
| Date: | Jun 04 2007 06:19 PM |
| Love this site - even though I work for these corporate demons.
The pay is embarrassing. The corporate B.S. is unbelievable. The customers are rude and demanding. We are expected to eat s*#t and like it.
How \'bout a \"triple grande, one shot decaf, two shots regular, sugar free hazelnut - CAPPUCCINO, one pump sugar free vanilla, light ice (!), no foam(!), one equal, two raw sugars. You think I\'m Joking?! The more modifiers - the bigger the a*#hole. Oh yeah - and stir it. If you can make a cappucino with no foam and ICE, I\'ll kiss your foot. Who ARE these people? |
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| Name: | Paul Dochow 25031 |
| Date: | Jun 04 2007 06:19 PM |
| Starbucks(the coffe sellers) sucks |
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| Name: | BlondeBarista 25089 |
| Date: | Jun 03 2007 07:24 AM |
| I dont blame you for your dislike of Starbucks..opinions are valid right..but let me tell you, I am a store manager for Sbux...and some of the things I read here are APPALLING. If I worked for one of the managers Ive read about..Id quit too!! But seriously, I must have a good area or store cause my people work darn hard, always with a smile. They get great tips and I always try to personally recognize a job well done....Thanks for keeping me up on the crazy Sbux news though...makes me grateful for having a good store! |
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| Name: | Amy 25081 |
| Date: | Jun 03 2007 07:24 AM |
| is there an "i hate walmart" site? an "i hate microsoft" site? an "i hate all the pathetic idiots out there that cave in to corporate consumerism and conformity" site!?!?!?
calvin (as in calvin and hobbes) says it best - "my image is so wrapped up in consumerism that i pay the COMPANY to advertise THEIR products" |
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| Name: | Amanda 25016 |
| Date: | Jun 02 2007 03:27 PM |
| Okay, so guess where PEPSI gets their caffeine... The is a chemical starbucks uses to remove the caffeine to make (decaf) and they send all that extra caffeine to pepsi and they suck it up and put it in your little sodas so even when you think you hate starbucks you can't escape it! |
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| Name: | Ross 24947 |
| Date: | May 31 2007 07:38 PM |
| I am thrilled to see a site that gets back at an organisation that embodies every bad value possible in global exploitation and promotes the unhealthiest options in the diet imaginable. There is good coffee and you won't find it at Starchucks! Come to New Zealand - we have so many wonderful independent cafes and coffee suppliers inspired and supplied in the continental tradition. It is a coffee lovers heaven! |
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| Name: | Matt 24874 |
| Date: | May 30 2007 06:23 AM |
| Starbucks is the Devil. |
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| Name: | jessica 24879 |
| Date: | May 30 2007 06:03 AM |
| Why is this horrible corporation so popular among youth? Why do our teachers promote the drinking of this brand name, and why are they equivocally oblivious to its global economic harm? I have never bought into the suck and pull of this conglomerate, thanks to my empty pocket and strong intuition. I hope people can find other alternatives to this co, whether it be a small local business, or a can of fair trade beans from TJ's. That's all. |
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| Name: | Katie 24883 |
| Date: | May 30 2007 06:01 AM |
| Never in a million years would I think Starbucks would be business partners with 7-Eleven...
Just the other day, I was at a Starbucks in Houston when I overheard some employees gossiping about their new partnership with 7-Eleven. Apparently, these Apple Fritters that originate from a Seattle company known as Top Pot, are being manufactured by 7-Eleven in Texas. I asked an employee if I heard them correctly and they said they couldn't believe it themselves.
To further prove this, I was on vacation in San Diego and I decided to stop at Starbucks. I tried the Apple Fritter there and I couldn't help but notice how much better it tasted than it did in Houston. I was in shock.
I knew Starbucks was trying to cut some corners when it comes to quality lately, but working with 7-Eleven? That's shameful.
Starbucks has lost my business for good! Thanks for this website. |
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| Name: | Caitlin 24865 |
| Date: | May 29 2007 05:21 PM |
| I hate starbucks because they support the Israeli occupation in Palestine and give them money.. |
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| Name: | Tracy 24572 |
| Date: | May 28 2007 04:11 PM |
| Thanks for the website - it really gave me a laugh. Not only because I seem to be the only one I know who doesn't like Starbucks, but because it really is fun to see specious arguments and bad spelling criticized in a public forum.
To add to your Starbucks stories: Starbucks sued a small mom and pop sandwich shop in Alaska because the family name included "Bucks" in it and they sold coffee. I never heard the outcome.
Public workers (I don't remember whether paramedics or who exactly) in New York on 9-11 tried to get a local Starbucks to give them water for the relief of workers and victims. Starbucks made the guy buy water. I understand the concept of franchises, but what made me furious was that Starbucks corporate denied it completely when the guy himself wrote to them to complain. It wasn't until the media was involved that he was (only) reimbursed for the water he purchased!
My husband checked both of these stories out on Snopes at the time we heard of them and they passed that inspection.
Starbucks' predatory method of coming into a neighborhood is designed to crush any small coffee shop already there, much to the detriment of all local flavor. That, and as you said, their coffee is bitter.
In southern California, may I suggest Beantown, both in Sierra Madre and Monrovia, for really good coffee (that does not remove stomach lining), live music, board games and local charm.
Keep up the good work. |
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| Name: | Bob McWhorter 24507 |
| Date: | May 26 2007 05:39 AM |
| The quote i love is "I bet if you worked at STarbucks i am sure you would love it". Lets see, drip, drip, drip. Are you required to Love starbucks before you work there or are they dripping drops of coffee on your forehead to torture you into saying that.
STarbucks has done for coffee what Blockbuster has done for the video rental business. The bought out or moved the competetion out of the way, now with their corporate control, i can't get a good cup of coffee and any airport anywhere in the world, and NO i am not going to roll over and decide I love it like the latte' generation.
Good coffee does not have a burn't tatse, I am not against fru fru coffee per say, Seattles Best is fine.
I get5 beans fresh from colombia and grind them myself, they taste NOTHING like starbucks ! |
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