Local coffeehouse security breach: the he-she coffee controversy revisited - By N.L Belardes
Jags has a new name. But here's a photo from inside...
Starbucks in the news, starfucking as they go.
I’m really trying to ignore Starbucks, but how can I when they’re hitting the top of the news, now with a lawsuit against them?
Starbucks employees blocking the entrance of a rival coffee store in Seattle by handing out free coffee and driving a store out of business? The Drudgereport reports, “Starbucks sued for squashing competitors,” and crosslinks to a story on the Reuters hotline.
Here’s a segment:
The suit also claims that, after Stafford found a space at one prime Bellevue office building, Starbucks employees "were directed to stand at the entrance of Ms. Stafford's business for the purpose of handing out free Starbucks drinks."
Stafford's store closed four months after opening. She still operates one other store outside Bellevue's main central business district. (Read the full article).
But why would I post such a story?
Because there’s a coffee takeover in Bakersfield. Because Starbucks have invaded and I doubt their coffee culture empire wants local coffee culture to wear anything but green smocks.
More Jags. I didn't ask permission. Oops.
Ahh for the lost days of the big downtown Java Jazz House. That was the purest moments of Bakersfield coffee culture... it was an unexplored local phenomenon.
And Starbucks doesn’t want their photos taken. You all read the report. I was walking away from a Bakersfield Starbucks, then came back to politely hand a business card to an employee in the shrouded (not really) darkness outside the White Lane Starbucks, only to get verbally abused by someone whose gender was not revealed in the dark Starbucks shadows.
VERBALLY ABUSED. And no one apologized. Not even one coffee coupon apology. Don't worry. I don't expect an apology. My skin is tougher than that.
Nope, Starbucks doesn’t allow coffeehouse photos even though no warning was posted on the door. There wasn’t a cell phone camera warning; and there wasn’t a little old Starbucks granny with a ruler swatting the ears of camera phone users for showing off technology outside of their man bags.
Coffee culture security breach?
I was clearly in the open taking photos. All the workers saw me except the irate he-she who we now know is a he, but hilariously I offended a small group of the local "easily offended" club who had accused me of insensitively playing the cross-gender card.
Whatever. Grow up. And no, I don't even mind that one local yokel wrote, "I am over it, and you."
Is she? Why was she offended in the first place?
let's get back to the coffee clash. Just who was breaking policy? Me? Starbucks employees? The he-she?
Think about this: local businesses love promotion.
It’s true! They do!
Now think about this: when you support a global 12,000 store establishment that is so paranoid as to say you can’t take photos, then what does that tell you about what they think about local culture and local business? Do they want to be a part of your world, or do they want to change your local culture to be like them?
Most of Bakersfield coffeehouse culture welcomes the support. Not Starbucks.
What’s wrong with my perception of Starbucks in photos?
Security breach?
Was it really?
Then I have breached Jags and Dagny’s integrity time and again. Someone needs to let them know that anyone inside their local business with a camera is a security threat.
Oops, did I fail to mention that everyone who is anyone from the Bakersfield Californian hangs out at Dagny’s? Just show up tomorrow morning.
Here’s a list of some of my local coffeehouse stories.
You know what I think Starbucks doesn’t like?
That I’m starfucking them back.
What culture are you a part of?
Check out links to a few security breaches at Bakersfield coffeehouses:
Jags Coffeehouse:
David Nigel Lloyd
Monty Owes Me Five Bucks
Buck Owens Drummer Reflects on Buck's Passing
Robbie Byrne Story
Enigma of Arrival
Dagny's Coffeehouse:
Loveday
Conspiracy Journalist Robert Price at the Coffeehouse (No Photo)
Laurin Lee
Photographer's Rights? LINK
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Monday, September 25, 2006.
You can leave your response.
I love our local coffee houses! Local businesses need our support and promotion! Starbucks are everywhere, corporate and won't even let you put up a flyer for a local event in their stores.
Support local businesses and coffee houses!!
Or, Mr. B...
We used to have some very fine local coffee houses here.
Places where you could sit for hours...where you WANTED to sit for hours. In most, a person could even smoke.
Ah...the good old days...
Suddenly there's a Starbucks. And guess what?
No more small-town coffee culture.
Was reading your blog on this fine evening and was reminded of
the Photographer's Rights. I tend to be a stealthy photographer when
in public and stores, but on one occasion I was in a bead shop and
there was a guy in there taking a lot of photos and the shop owner
asked if he could send her copies of them for their website.
Anyway, here is a link to some info on the legal aspect of taking
photos in public. Do check out the first link that leads you to a one
page summary of your legal rights.
http://wiki.photoblogs.org/wiki/Photographer's_Rights
--
m...
this was a good read. What's the he/she's prob now? I see flyers for local events @ Starbucks' around town, but i'm thinking its for their employees? The no photo thing, too? Ya, they've got a lot to worry bout
LOVE Dagney's. . .but the part i wanted to respond to most was how you gave props to the old school Jazz! right on right on. . . haha
Tim-OH.
local coffee places are cool, but they don't stay open that late. i don't drink coffee very often and when i have a late night craving (usually around 1030-11ish) everyone but starfucks is closed. support local businesses... only go to the corporate shit as a last resort.
I work at a car dealership and we are not allowed to put flyers on our windows either. It's part of our franchise agreement. Not even flyers of events we're helping to sponsor. It's for aesthetic reasons. I'll bet if you called the Starbucks (800) number and told them what happened they would apologize AND offer you a free coffee.
A car dealership isn't a bastion of cultural and social networking where people go to hang out as in the old European salons, or in the taverns when pamphlets were passed out and discussed on the eve of the American Revolution.
Walk into Dagny's. It's a great place. There's a community vibe and spirit.
It's not about tacking up flyers. It's about whether a corporation wants to be a part of the community, or if that corporation wants the community be a part of it.
Car dealerships. Please, Norma. People go there to get ripped off. They're called cockroaches behind their backs.
Coffeehouses try to blend in on a social level. Car dealerships are temples with golden chariots fancifully on display.
I resent that. That's a damn lie.
We get called cockroaches to our face. NOT behind our backs. :)
Stop making me laugh. We're having a serious conversation here. By the way, I'm exposing your desk in the next blog!!
Oh shit! I've crossed the scorned blogger. I'm in trouble now.
I just hope he doesn't call me a she-he because of my Mexican mom mustach. To clear any confusion.. I am a SHE... ok? I have the blisters from the damn high heels society forces me to wear to work on a daily basis. While I'm busy ripping people off. Oops... I mean helping people.
Yawn...you had a bad customer service experience at a food and beverage establishment. Pard me while I go cry into my latte. :O)
I've seen flyers for local events at the Oswell and Mt. Vernon Starbucks locations. Have you actually asked them if you can post a flyer, or are you just complaining of the lack thereof? Hm? Corporations have the right to be successful. The beauty of the situation is that mom and pop places have the potential to grow to such, if they choose to. Are you going to fault Los Hermanos? Supreme Bean? Jamba Juice started as a mom and pop establishment. I have no beef with Dagny's or Supreme Bean. However, Supreme Bean's chai doesn't impress me, and Dagny's doesn't have a drive-thru. Juice and Java has a drive-thru, their prices are cheap, they're friendly,and their lattes are tasty. Therefore, I am supporting a local establishment. Not because I am vehemently sticking it to "da man", but through natural free market competition, I have chosen the mom and pop. The eggplants still love you.
smmoooooooooooooooooothieeeeeeeeeeee...
the coffee bean...another gift from the almighty...mankind has perverted it as well...oh rejoice in us keepers of the planet!
I've heard my neighborhood here in Houston referred to as the "gayborhood" which it is, but really just a melting pot of diverse cultures and yuppies.
Anyway, I stopped by a nearby Starbucks on my way to pick up a friend to carpool to work. The thing I like about this Starbucks is that even early in the morning they are just happyHAPPYhappy. First I was asked if I wanted to try one of their pastries which was made with loving awesomeness (um, thanks but no thanks), questioned if my morning was wonderful (eh, it's Monday and I never have a good outlook on a week unless there's a trip coming up), and then was called Miss Melissa twice (I was waiting to get a Sweet Melissa, but it never
came). Oh, and they also post the front page of the Houston Chronicle and the comics page next to where you pick up your drink so you have something to read while waiting.
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