Making The Case
Why is it that certain days I opt for the Man’s coffee and other days I champion the locals? I thought it had something to do with consistency but that’s bullshit. While the Man’s store is well designed and has a familiar atmosphere it reeks of fake smiles, stale business folk, and overly perfect pastries. Admittedly those dainty pastries are quite wonderful, but thats besides the point.
The locals aren’t afraid to show attitude, they’re real, they proudly bear the title, Barista. The customers are genuine, eclectic and unpredictable. Plus you feel honored to support local uniqueness and individuality.
So why do I still drink from the Man’s hand? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because they have better parking.
Remarks
Brooks
By the “Man” I assume you mean Starbucks. No? Personally, I’ve found the level of service and quality of beverages, if not the prices, to be better at Starbucks than the homegrown coffee houses in Springfield, MO (most notably, the Mudhouse). Not to mention, if you’re a regular customer the people at Starbucks actually make the effort ot learn your name.
Besides that, Starbucks isn’t an “evil corporation” the way some people argue Wal-Mart is. They provide healthcare coverage almost all of their employees that work at least 20hrs a week, as well as stock options and bonuses, and they pay their bean growers above market prices for the beans they buy. Also, they greatly benefit the local economy by occupying more retail space than most local coffee houses. There was a profile on Starbucks and founder Howard Schulz on 60 Minutes this past Sunday, which I found very enlightening on much of this.
Nathan Borror http://www.playgroundblues.com/
Mudhouse rules.
Kak Gavno Ya
I love Wal-Mart because I enjoy driving through the parking lot and looking at all the beaters with “W” stickers on them. These idiots are proudly exercising their Constitutional rights to cut their own throats, but I’ve long since given up feeling sorry for them.
Jeff Howard http://www.howardesign.com
Most of the people I work with are coffee snobs. They had someone from the Blue Bottle here in SF come in and personally calibrate their espresso machine. Starbucks isn’t nearly chic enough.
But when they’re on the road it’s about satisficing. Apparently there are as many really bad coffee houses out there are there are really good ones. In an unfamiliar town I think it really is about consistency. Starbucks isn’t optimal but it’s good enough. Predictably. And flat out simple to find everywhere you go.
It’s almost like a utility.
Mel Hogan http://www.resolutionink.com
I personally have always scoffed at the snobbery that seems to be exhibited towards successful companies, be it Starbucks, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.. My scoffing continues when it comes to the people who stop listening to music because others like it, or won’t be seen dead in a popular fashion. While there are true originals in all of these areas, more often than not my experience with people like this is that they’re attempting to be different like everybody else. One need only look at a certain fine-arts college in Cowtown and the simplicity with which students from said university can be identified. If you like something, fine, but don’t dislike just because it’s a fad, or you’re no better than the lemmings on the other side of the canyon.
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