# "Yeah , yeah, I'll get you your frappuciono... AFTER I lecture you on Ferguson, MO" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 17, 2015, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189 "2015-03-17T11:45:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/1 "2015-03-17T11:45:47Z")
You were in a hurry. You just wanted a mocha latte and a muffin. But Starbuck’s isn’t letting you off that easily, you bigot! Howard Schultz wants to educate you, and he wants your barista to preach the gospel of racial equality. THAT should be great for the tip jars. > **[Starbucks to encourage baristas to discuss race relations with customers](https://fortune.com/2015/03/16/starbucks-baristas-race-talk/)** > > CEO Howard Schultz is encouraging his employees to bring up the hot-button issue — his latest foray into controversial topics. Bet the folks at Dunkin Donuts are thrilled. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/2 "2015-03-17T11:50:22Z")
Getting into hot-button socio-political topics with people jonesing for a major caffeine fix - what could possibly go wrong? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/3 "2015-03-17T11:59:50Z")
I don’t drink coffee and I don’t think I’ve ever been in a Starbucks, but as much as I hate “Would you like to contribute to…?” from the clerks at the grocery store, I’d really hate having to listen to a lecture or a discourse on \*anything \*when I was trying to make my purchase and move on. Train your employees to be good workers, good people, good examples - no problem with that. But if you think it’s appropriate to preach on any topic, I will take my business elsewhere. Even if I agree wholeheartedly with your message, I’ve got things to do, and I don’t need some minimum wage teenager or 20-something sharing the word of whatever. ugh. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/4 "2015-03-17T12:17:37Z")
Yet another reason to not go in to Starbucks. If I want to argue with twits, I’ll go on Yahoo. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/5 "2015-03-17T12:19:38Z")
Maybe they looked at Chik-Fil-A and decided to get in on that from the opposite side of the aisle. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/6 "2015-03-17T12:21:34Z")
I just make my Caramel Macchiato Half-Caff, Venti, Skim, Extra Shot, Extra-Hot, Extra-Whip at home, while lecturing my wife and kids about race relations. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/7 "2015-03-17T12:29:07Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Maybe they looked at Chik-Fil-A and decided to get in on that from the opposite side of the aisle. Get in on what? There is no Chik-Fil-A near me (though there is one proposed). The times I have been in there the workers have been unfailingly polite and attentive. No one is lecturing the customers or getting into a conversation about any topic except your order. The only thing looked oddly at about their business model is that they are closed on Sunday. I don’t drink coffee but I occasionally go in to Starbucks for a hot chocolate or a tea. It’s always been busy. Stand in line. Give your order. Move over and wait to pick it up. If any of the workers started slowing down the process for a political discussion I would be pissed and I’m sure many others would be too. It makes me wonder if Howard has been in one of his stores lately. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/8 "2015-03-17T14:30:32Z")
It’s just publicity. I doubt he thinks anyone will actually do it. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/9 "2015-03-17T14:43:36Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I just make my Caramel Macchiato Half-Caff, Venti, Skim, Extra Shot, Extra-Hot, Extra-Whip at home, while lecturing my wife and kids about race relations. You know who else was extra-shot? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/10 "2015-03-17T15:41:13Z")
Lecturing me when I am in urgent need of my caffeine fix… Oh yeah, that’s a good idea. I’m likely to bite your head off, even if I agree with you! ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/11 "2015-03-17T15:49:58Z")
If I thought this would do the least bit of good, I’d support it. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/12 "2015-03-17T16:33:24Z")
I can see how the conversation might start. “I have a large, black, extra dark, with a shot in it.” “Yes, it’s terrible what happened in Ferguson, wasn’t it?” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/13 "2015-03-17T16:52:56Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Maybe they looked at Chik-Fil-A and decided to get in on that from the opposite side of the aisle. I never buy coffee from Starbuck’s so I’ve decided to boycott them in the future. I’ll recommend that all my friends and family, only those who never buy coffee from Starbuck’s to boycott them also. 😃 People who frequent Starbuck’s are free to make up their own minds. :rolleyes: Do Starbuck’s patrons have the option of asking for coffee with a side order of STFU? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/14 "2015-03-17T17:01:19Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I can see how the conversation might start. > > “I have a large, black, extra dark, with a shot in it.” > > “Yes, it’s terrible what happened in Ferguson, wasn’t it?” > > Regards, > Shodan Lids up! Don’t pour! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/15 "2015-03-17T17:08:28Z")
[Even ThinkProgress doesn’t think this is a very good idea;](http://thinkprogress.org/culture/2015/03/17/3634583/starbucks-baristas-write-race-together-coffee-cups-solve-racism/) > [@](#): > > Is this more annoying than a McDonald’s cashier telling you to “pay with lovin’” instead of cash for that Big Mac? Is this even more insulting to the typical consumer than Dove’s tone-deaf “Real Beauty” campaign or Dove’s even-more-tone-deaf and invasive Twitter bot for #SpeakBeautiful? Is it more misplaced than Coke’s “Make it happy” marketing scheme? > > It is never too surprising when #brands try to seem human, but these transparent efforts only make corporations sound even less like people. Brands are obnoxious by their very nature. The branding of places like Starbucks are particularly obnoxious: the operation requires you to adopt a nonsensical lexicon that elevates the ordinary (calling a cashier a barista is the equivalent of calling an Apple employee, a.k.a., a glorified RadioShack worker, a “genius”). Even a small is “tall” at Starbucks. A place that manipulates language in this way should not be responsible for “starting a conversation” about anything, least of all an issue as fraught, complex and sensitive as race. > > Stay tuned for updates on the status of racism, Starbucks’ destruction thereof. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/16 "2015-03-17T18:01:23Z")
This is a spectacularly bad idea. I can’t wait for the phone videos of it in practice. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/17 "2015-03-17T18:11:21Z")
I actually like Starbucks coffee, but I’ll caffeinate elsewhere if they wanna educate me. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/18 "2015-03-17T18:15:33Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > It’s just publicity. I doubt he thinks anyone will actually do it. Seconding this. I’ve worked in the service industry my entire adult life and I can’t imagine wanting to “start a conversation” about politics with my customers, even if it was something I believed passionately about. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/19 "2015-03-17T18:37:10Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Lids up! Don’t pour! OK, I giggled. But I’ve been on that basket to Lucifer’s dry sauna with the rest of you for years now anyway. > [@Smapti](#): > > Seconding this. I’ve worked in the service industry my entire adult life and I can’t imagine wanting to “start a conversation” about politics with my customers, even if it was something I believed passionately about. Yeah, I too believe it’s more a matter of publicizing a corporate position, rather than an announcement of actual teach-ins all over the land. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189/20 "2015-03-17T18:44:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I actually like Starbucks coffee, but I’ll caffeinate elsewhere if they wanna educate me. After much experimenting with my Mr. Coffee coffee maker, I’ve come to the conclusion that Starbucks is average at best. Duncan Donuts coffee, on the other hand, is awesome. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-yeah-ill-get-you-your-frappuciono-after-i-lecture-you-on-ferguson-mo/715189.md?page=2)