Schadenfreude
–noun
satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune.
Yup. American society, in general, seems to love them some schadenfreude.
Some coffee fans get grim delight in Starbucks woes
Really? Why?
I mean, if you say to me, “Well, I don’t really care for Starbucks coffee because it’s too strong/weak/bitter/strange for me”, then great. No one says you gotta like everything.
But if you say “feh! F–k ’em because they became so successful”…well that’s just mean. And elitist.
So while the coffee snoots are busy scribbling bad poetry in their local coffee shop, feeling superior that Starbucks seems to be faltering, they seem to forget it was the coffee snoots themselves who made Starbucks what they are.
Starbucks used to be the low-down cool thing. It used to quietly be the “in” thing, where the coffee snoots went for a cuppa and conversation. Starbucks was filling an unfilled need. Or they created a need.
That is capitalism at it’s finest!
So suddenly they go from being good to being dirt because they are worldwide? And making money? So neener neener now that you’ve come upon hard times?
As a Starbucks stockholder, I see this retrenching as a good thing, actually, for the long term health of the company.
It blows that people will be out of work and stores will pull out of neighborhoods, but I honestly believe “getting back to core competencies” is the right thing to do in this down economy.
Ah, that’s just me being rational again. I hate it when I get like that…
(note to my favorite New Mexico Barista: Hang in there friend!)
Comments
Natalie
If you really want to read up on the highlights of controversy regarding all of this “transformation” crap, head over to http://www.starbucksgossip.com/
You’ll read about all of the “partners” losing their jobs, how Starbucks has handled the situation, customers, investors and partners sharing their contempt and concerns… It’s a madcap kinda dealio.
So far, no stores in ABQ have been told they are closing. In fact, I haven’t heard about any closing in NM. They have until 7/11 to let everyone know… That’s tomorrow. I’m off tomorrow and I’m glad…
Everyone seems to love to hate Starbucks as they plop down their $4.11 for a grande, sugary, blended whatever… It’s a strange dichotomy.
I’m addicted to that website and both wince and laugh out loud at some of the comments.
Jeez, people… it’s just coffee!
BTW… we will have a new banana smoothie (frozen bananas, whey protein powder, Naked Juice orange/mangoe puree, ice, and milk/soy or another one made with mocha; it’s actually pretty tasty… I tried it today) drink starting next Tuesday. So much for “getting back to basics.”
*sigh*
I’m hangin’… barely.
Thanks!
:)
Karen Fayeth
I’m glad to hear that, for now, your job is safe.
Strange days, indeed.