A Starbucks starfuck and the return of the Filthies - By N.L. Belardes
So sue me, bitches...
Rural rock punk mortician Kenny Mount was walking into a Starbucks near Arroyo Grande yesterday when he heard a voice say, “Only yuppies and fags go to Starbucks.”
“What did you say?” Kenny said.
“Only yuppies and fags go to Starbucks.”
“Hold on, I’m going to go inside and get a cup of coffee, then I’m going to come outside and beat your ass.”
Kenny walked back out. The guy was gone. Starfucked.
I spoke to him over the phone. He said, “I wanted to get my coffee first. And then today when I was driving I was Starfucked again. I went to grab my coffee and the top popped off. Coffee splashed out and burned my wrist. It felt like burning acid. It was awful. The guy in the back said… nothing… but if he could have talked he would have said, “Fuck, that would have hurt!”
Kenny was hauling a dead body in the back. Literally.
Then the Dalloways Gary and Cortnie stopped by with their cool British car. It’s so retro. As Cortnie picked up a suitcase to head to the land of Buckaroo she told me: “Yeah, I was starfucked. I got a flaky croissant at a Starbucks in LA.”
Flaky croissants are for the fuckin’ birds. She should have sued.
Gary then filmed Cortnie as she threatened to pack it up and leave if she didn’t get good coffee in Bakersfield.
They made up. They researched. They made love for the camera.
Last night I was out with Matildakay and Chingpea to see the Filthies play the Rooster Club: la Carouse Rouge. They were hitting the scene as a new three-piece, with punk mortician Kenny “Motor” Mount at the helm. The Rooster has a biker air to it. It’s not a youthful crowd, though there were youth in the crowd. A local artist worked the bar… The Dives performed and Lustra was up next.
We needed some fresh air. Chingpea mentioned a nearby Starbucks.
“There’s one nearby?” I asked.
“Sure, it’s within walking distance. It’s the Starbucks where the gay dude gives away free coffee to the guys he hits on.”
“Oh, that Starbucks.”
We wandered inside. Comfy. Nice. Charming. Corporate.
I prefer Supreme Bean. It’s local. It’s good. There’s less green. There aren’t she-he assholes.
Very polite workers help chingpea and Matildakay
Yet the workers behind the counter were friendly. Kind of like Skyler of Lost Ocean. He’s one of the friendliest and most amazing musicians you could ever meet. Only he couldn’t hold a job at Starbucks. He gave away one of his free employee coffees to a customer. He was canned for it. Starfucked.
So we ordered coffees. One of the workers got the whipped wrong. “It was perfect,” she smiled. No problem. Easily remedied. Still starfucked, in a way.
Chingpea and Matildakay...
We sat down in some fluffy chairs. I snapped more photos. Matildakay and chingpea were giggling and being silly. No sexcapades. Don’t worry. All that wifey talk is just that: talk.
Starbucks employee cleans the biznatch
A few minutes later a blonde she-he worker came up to us. Sorry, I couldn’t tell. Could this have been the Metro-gay free coffee killa from a blog tale past? I didn’t know. I do know it was time to go. So we got out while the she-he in a green smock stacked chairs outside.
Sorry, time to go...
I thought I’d be cool and offer the Starbuckle worker bee a card. “Hi, if you want to see some photos online, you can check out this site…”
And that’s when the tirade began.
“You can’t take photos! That’s against the law! You can’t post pictures online!”
“Yes I can.”
“No you can’t.”
“So sue me.”
“Blah blah blah…” (incoherent bullshit because now I was pissed).
“Stupid prick.” I opted for the male gender curse slang even though I really wasn’t certain of the gender of the green-smocked Starfuck warrior who wanted to do battle.
So I walked away. We sat on a small brick wall. I took a few more sips, but after being starfucked by captain Starbuck I gave up on my expensive drink.
Chingpea then destroyed her cup, but not until after she dumped the remaining contents on the Starbucks sign as if to say, “Piss on those starfuckers.” That’s what I like about her: she’s pretty, she’s territorial and she’s vengeful when defending her friends. She kicked one of the cups for good measure.
*WARNING: No sign was actually injured in this rebellious anti-corporate act. Any actual sign injury would be subject to persecution by moronic Starbucks lawyers. This sign happens to be outdoors, where it rains and where birds and cats can freely piss on such signs. Think of it as watering a plant, or giving back to the corporate morality with a double shot of "fuck you."
Now we were ready for punk rock.
We went inside and listened to Kenny Mount and the Filthies perform “Take Your Ass Home” and some other choice punk songs. Their sound was still as full as ever: Green Day ala a Bakersfield aggressive style. Their pop punk songs sounded a little catchier, more fused with the singing. That’s the talent of Kenny Mount.
Guppy and Kelly moved like maniacs... Kelly jumped on the stage while Guppy pounded crazily as if he were a kid again on his Fisher Price drum. It was three friends in a historic punk trio pounding out punk Bakersfield hits.
Dig it.
For more Starbucks starfuck gossip, go to the official site.
You can also draw a picture of your penis, or someone elses and upload to this fancy New York Starbucks site...
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Saturday, September 16, 2006.
You can leave your response.
why cant you take pictures in starbucks? are the people who work there on americas most wanted? thththththt,,
N.L., thanks for being there to witness the fight, the research, and the make-up session.
p.s. Learn how to make a real croissant, Starbucks Bitches!!!!
-cdarling
I never understood how any employee of any major franchis could be -that- loyal. it makes no sense to me really. maybe they re being monitored by the Illuminati.
As for this Starbucks, and this particular weirdness, I say take all the photos you want. American law enforcement (especially the vigilante kind) has become oddly obsessed about people with cameras. The blog Brown Equals Terrorist began when the guy who started the site was taking photos for a photography class, and he got questioned and dog-searched for photo-taking too close to a bridge.
So it's not okay for average people (especially brown ones it seems) to wield cameras, BUT Big Brother feels just fine photographing us from buildings, in elevators, at traffic lights, and more.
You can bet that Starbucks had a security camera last night, and smile, you're on it. One night I lost my wallet at a Target store, and they were able to pull up my image on the security camera within a few minutes and show me a picture of myself leaving, wallet in hand, which helped us pinpoint the loss to the parking lot. I found the wallet safe and sound.
So take your photos. In fact, take a photo of their security camera!
PS: Starbucks has the worst pastry case in the world. Has anyone noticed how wretched their baked goods are? I like their coffee well enough, and I admit to buying it now and then, but the baked goods bite.
I'm not a big starbucks lover.Over priced. I get my coffee at grocery outlet."Jave Time Gourmet Coffee", 28 oz. bag for $2.99. I get my wine at Trader Joes,"2 buck chuck". Like they say in bling-bling land,"that's how I roll". I only wish my grampa were still alive, to see people paying 5 bucks for a cup of coffee.And you don't even get refills!ha! The verbage would have been fun and spicy. Sounds like a fun night though, wish I was there...just hope the D.A. doesn't get ahold of these pics, you coffee house rebels!
OUCH! I love my job (I'm currently a green smocked warrior). I guess the incredible corporate hulk that Starbucks has become fails to make sure all their employees are respectful and don't starfuck people. You should come to the one downtown (24th and L) and see if you enjoy the service there any better. Sorry about the bad experiences though.
I was at the Mediterranean restaurant next door to there yesterday. We moved from inside the restaurant then sat outside Starbucks. It was a nice afternoon. I'm a fan of Starbucks. I'll still go there. My blog is just entertainment... I make fun of culture in a controversial way...
I would go inside your Starbucks if I'm allowed to take photos.
;P
I thought I saw you outside yesterday but I wasn't sure. As far as I know, you can take pictures. I'll find out for sure though.
I was just teasing. It's OK. I know I can take photos. As long as I take them before some manager gets paranoid. Bloggers, media, journalists... we have that right. And businesses have a right to refuse service and to kick folks out with cameras.
But to threaten? That's where that one dude went over the line... He was paranoid. Might as well tell people to tuck away their cell phone cameras.
Well, being a loyal Starbucks parnter gives me quite a bit to say on many different levels... I, too, apologize for any bad service or pastries you may have encountered at any Starbucks, and if mine weren't so far away (Los Angeles area) I would offer you a drink on the house (because management can do that without getting terminated). The reason people who work for Starbucks are so loyal is because we are treated VERY well by our company, we are not, however, treated with such kindness from some of the customers, as you have displayed by trashing the parking lot and drive through signs... you do realize someone has to clean that up right? yea, and it's us.
You're lack of respect for diversity is amazing. Closeminded is all I can think.
And the no-photo thing is just a matter of security. It's nothing against you or your camera personally, but we like to ensure the safety and respect of all the parnters working, and no photos or media falls into that category, why that angers you I have no idea, it's not that big of a deal, take your pictures elsewhere... if we have to threaten to kick you out, we will... at least you get a warning before we do.
Have a little more respect. We're people, we hold our jobs and company values... absolutely nothing wrong with that, and no reason to be discriminatory.
Hey anonymous Starbucks moron. Have some respect and leave your name. What are you afraid of?
At least I am bold enough to rebel against the sappy Starbucks corporation.
And we didn't trash the sign. Were you in Bakersfield? No. You weren't. That sign is outside, where it rains, where birds freely take pisses the way a Starfuck employee tried to piss on me.
I'm pretty sure the sign still works. Although I don't think your attitude is up to speed just like the other moron who verbally assaulted me...
Security reasons... hahahahahaha!
there were a few nice workers at that place... it was just the one fuck. shouldn't let that person ruin it for everyone. it was still a fun night.
the filthies were awesome and the night with matildakay (ooh la la) and n.l. (oh yeah!) was worth the time.
i still like the beverages, i always knew their pastries suck big ca-ca, but what can you do?
btw, i love those hanes in the 1st pic! all those pics were HOT!
peace,
chingpea
Just like we should support our local artistis we need to support our local business owners. I recommend buying coffee from The Filling Station on the corner of 24th and F. Organic coffee (fair trade, shade grown), funny slogans, a friendly dog, one of a kind business and they actually put espresso in the blended drinks.
Dagney's is a second runner up.
I heard that one of the last things Kennedy ever said was "I said no foam!"
I guess no one rages against the Starbucks machine and gets away with it.
I'll miss you.
I find it entertaining when people bitch about how they get treated by costumers. Do they not realize that EVERY job in customer service is in the same boat? Yes, some people are ass holes and complain about the most irrational things, but deal with it.... it’s your job. Deal with it, and don't bitch about it. This is a world full of many people with many different personalities and many different wants/needs. I am almost positive there is something in your life you're picky about; something that has to be done JUST RIGHT in order for you to partake in it. It just so happens that a lot of people are particular about their coffee. In most cases it's the first thing they start off their day with. Something to help them cope with their shitty customer service job, and if that one little thing isn't perfect in the beginning, than their entire day is thrown off. I personally love to go get some coffee whenever I am in any sort of an awkward mood, and I know that if I were to come into starbucks in one of those awkward moods and someone got my order wrong, I would be distraught. IT'S HUMAN NATURE.
I sympathize with you, Nic. Of course service is never perfect, but it would be nice if it could be. I am a frequent costumer of the starbucks in the marketplace. For a while I was meeting friends there 2-3 times a week. EVERYTIME I would go in there, the same girl was working the counter, and EVERTIME she was/is a COMPLETE bitch to me. I have thought about complaining about her, but I know it wouldn't do any good because her sift leaders seem to be fond of her. I think to myself every time I leave "ya know, if should would be just a little bit nice to me, she might just get a tip... i am after all a regular!"
The first time she helped me I thought she may just be in a bad mood, and I let it slide, but it continued and still hasn’t changed. I think the next time I go in there I’ll ask if I can be helped by someone else.
Somehow I think the no photo taking policy is only for security reasons is because there are such thing as stalkers and they want to try and avoid those kind of situations as much as possible. Other than that there was no reason for you to be treated that way. I support your actions (trashing the parking lot, pouring coffee on the sign, etc) even if someone had to clean it up, who gives a shit. I guarantee that person has come into any type of retail store (Target in particular) and unfolded a pair of pants and not re-folded them, tried on a shirt and didn't put it back where they found it, etc etc. In that case they would have been affecting my job the same way people affect theirs. I dealt with it and moved on because I realized that not everyone could be so courteous and it’s my job to re-fold things and put things back in their original place. It's life and I chose that job.
At least you ensured those starbucks employees were actually working for their money. HAHA!
Close-minded: Intolerant of the beliefs and opinions of others; stubbornly unreceptive to new ideas.
How is stating your opinion in a sarcastic manner close-minded?
If anything I would call that person close-minded for not accepting your ideas and then moving on.
What angers me has nothing to do with starbucks- but your comments about the "he-she" who happens to be my best friend. Why do hate? why do you need to make fun of someones identity? AND so what if HE was rude to you. I'm sorry- I wasn't aware that a person's actions had the ability to eradicate their right to dignity. I'm all for free speech and the right to feel what you want- howver going to someone's workplace, taking pictures of them, and posting degrading comments about them online isn't free speech- its ignorance in the form of harassment. Do you realize you're taking your anger out on an entire community of people because of one person's actions? Shame on you. People like you posess the attitudes that perpetuate violence and opression.
Why do you hate? What does it accomplish? Does it make you feel better?
How immature.
And my name is John. You can expect to hear from me more you will like.
So...how about another useless opinion from a Starbuck's "partner".....ppl are just too damn uptight.....whether it's starbuck's employees or the moron that thinks life will end if they dont get their overpriced java treat. Either way.....ya'll need to lighten up.....to be honest....Starbuck's coffee is WAY overpriced.....the pastries do suck....and the only reason I work there is for the bennies and the fact that if someone pisses me off.....i get to Starfuck them lmao! So beware.....when u think u are getting a 5 dollar cup of pick me up....you could be getting decaf! (served with a smile and a quiet F you under my breath!)
*grin*
Fuckin Starbucks, man. Last night I went to the one at the Marketplace - not the best idea whilst social anxiety is running its course - my Dad needed to get out and thought that would be a "cool" hangout. I didn't have a bad experience, ordered my usual Pumpkin Spice Latte (omg I am addicted to those and a regular Starbucks fuck during the fall and winter seasons). Oh and those damn chocolate cupcakes they serve in the pretty little white to-go box, heaven! So not all their pastries (but is that a pastry, I'm thinking no) are bad. Try the blueberry coffee cake if you are desperate for substance with your coffee ... it's not too retched.
And the sandwiches are pretty edible ... oh and if you get one later in the afternoon they usually comp your drink.
That was a fun night! The Filthies were great! And I had fun hanging out with Chingpea and NL!! Even if Starbucks put whipcream on my mocha when I said no whipcream and that one worker was not sooo nice. :)
Beware. Al-Qaeda is out to terrorize Starbucks... no photos or suicide bombers allowed.
yeah, I heard starbucks was getting all geared up to sell Yemeni cigarettes too!
My favorite comment of the day that I received on myspace:
We of the Bakersfield queer and transgender community would like to pass on a hearty FUCK YOU for the "work" you have done in our community.
-Louie
Apparently, Louie hates me AND can't help but click on my words... thanks Louie!
I wrote back and asked how I offended. Maybe it was the sexual orientation article... dunno.
By the way, if you don't know someone's gender, can't you write "she-he"? Or did I say it backwards...?? oops.
More on the gender card from angry myspace folks:
i would think you of all people would practice tolerance and love.
read ur blog about starbucks. and that "he-she".
disgusts me. shame on you.
Give me a break. I'm a fighter. You clearly don't read my site. Would it be better if I changed it to metro or some other term? So what if I didn't know the gender? I don't water down my writing for anyone.
You're being judgmental. Stick to the issue. The issue wasn't gender. The issue was someone being a jerk. You're making it a gender issue by reading too much into it. A person can be an ass no matter color or gender.
And I have a right to be an asshole right back to the prick who verbally assaulted me. Better that than beating that person's ass.
Go judge someone else.
If you don't like my writing and you're non-supportive then I don't know what to tell you.
-------------------------
Bam!
N.L.,
Fuck Starbucks and their corporate mentality! They've sucked for years. They're highly overrated. There coffee, service and food all suck big donkey balls. What security are they talking about? Do they employ people from the Secret Protection program? WTF?!
...And don't let those asses that are trying to fuck your article up into gender issues get under your skin. I live in L.A. I have friends and relatives who are homosexual. Some are overly-sensitive muthafuckers, but the rest are as normally emotional as the next person. They are not another race, gender or whatever - Love and Hate see no color - why should anyone?
From what I understand, you weren't complaining about the service, the coffee, the atmosphere - you were just disrespected by some metro-sexually frustrated mofo who can't decide to look like a man or woman. Whatever, dude! You just told what happened. People are just reading what they want to read and venting on their own experiences. Hilarious.
I enjoy your writing and your zest. Keep it up, man!
BTW, thanks for the hot pictures of The Smalltown Girls. DAMN!
Your fan down the way,
Jake
my lord people get offended easily.
all hail star-fucking-bucks and the bitches that work for the evil corporation.
shit, you think someone will get offended by that? maybe i shouldn't say such things out loud.
quick, someone call the opinion police!
-mallaurie
I was starcuddled.
I ran out of gas on Oswell(which happens like all the fucking time) and I went in just to get a venti(yes the sizes are completely ridiculous and do not stem from some desire for a grasp of the Italian culture) water, and the dude instead asked me what I wanted. I told him my wallet was at home. He said "I don't mind". I got a free chai latte. Pretty kind, ya think?
wow, n.l. you've really hit a sore spot with this one! ... good work. this whole blog and commentary has been highly entertaining. btw the pics of the girls ... HOT. very nice.
Starcuddled? Perfect. I'm sure there are all kinds of Star____ experiences. And that's a good thing. We don't all want to be starfucked.
I think my point is this. Some people allow their position within a corporate sphere to get to their head.
Just be a real person to everyone, because you never know if the person you're pissing on is a grumpy blogger with a camera who has funky photoshop skills. :)
Photo's inside corporations is where I want to be. I'm working up the nerve to push past those folks who say 'um, I don't think you should do that'. Right now as soon as they raise objection I simply say sorry and move on.
People really do get weirded out when I start taking pics in their store/rest./factory etc.
At a local carnival recently, the carnies were really really concerned. but then, you know what they say about carnies....
Thanks for the great read and eye-fest yet again n.l.!
SUSAN: Here's the best 'inside of corporation' camera and film footage moments I LOVE to read about. The latest attack? Slow-mo Home Depot. And don't think I'm not beyond something fun for Bakersfield Starbucks... :)
Starbucks hates black people. True fact - there are lawsuits for those who were hard working & got passed up for promotions. My husband used to work there too... it's junk.
There are loads of people who agree that StarSUCKS has awful service... And if you like an animated comedic sense of it, you should look up Foamy's Coffee Rant on illwillpress.com
That's the dude!! Click on Coffeehouse Propaganda... hehehe..
I was in an all African-American Starbucks in LA once. It was right next to a Magic Johnson restaurant. Inside, the TV was playing Cops. No lie. It was great. I went with an old friend from Eritrea who worked at the pink Starbucks in Pacific Palisades. She was always mad at famous Hollywood elitists who wanted free coffee...
Or click on small, medium, or large...
it's the dude!
We here at the Bakersfield Hetero and common gendered would like to say a hearty "Fuck You" for using the words "He" and "she." I am deeply offended by this. Just because I'm a he, does that give you the right to say it out loud? Now we'll have to march around the courthouse for a month and point out how different we are. Thanks a lot. Just because I don't like to have a flacid penis lying on the crook of my neck, do you have to make fun of it? Can't we all just get a starbucks from the tears for fears guy/girl and talk about this? p.s. thanks for the write up! p.s.s I don't have any beef with gay people, I just think you sound stupid. Besides, I stuck up for you on the coast, yuppies too, so don't be hateful you little turd burglars.
I dont even like coffee, and this is even more reason to dislike starbucks. I'm looking for a beer anyways
F*ck this f*cken Starbucks and transgender talk.
I WANNA SEE THE FILTHIES.
Dammit, I want to go see the Filthies. And now I am craving a two thousand calorie Starbucks Caramel Macchiato. Shit. There goes the three miles I ran this morning. Thanks a lot.
I like Starbucks coffee, I'm a happy starfucker I guess (in a corporate pornish-freakish kinda way).
Thanks for the link n.l., whoa, give ME some ideas.
woot!
yeah, but what about the dives!?
The only reason to step foot into a Starbuck's is to use the bathroom while your out. Yes their toilet is good enough for me to pee in, but their coffee is NOT good enough for me to drink!
Way to ruffle some feathers! I bet you upset some "crazy about Starbucks" employees. It's just a job and coffee to me. Those people don't realize that we just work at a nicer looking McDonalds!
Nick
More on the he-she-he controversy:
I don't particularly care for starbucks. I don't think I ever met the person you refer to. But you see that person, worker, employee or whatever can be used instead of something like she-he/he-she (no desire to go back and check). I don't think gender helps tell your story at all. Why should you even need to guess? It just makes you out to be an ass. As well as calling people pussies.
My response:
I am an ass... and you're making the story into a gender issue, which it isn't.
I don't tell you how to do your art. so don't tell me how to do mine....
you're wayyyyy too sensitive...
if I am confused about gender and feel like pointing it out. Then I will...
Get over it.
Some people are far too sensitive. If I want to describe a butterfly, a teddy bear, a fag, an asshole, a prick, a jerk, a pussy, a dweeb, a jock, a starfuck employee, a starbucks employee, a girl, a boy, a guy, a tailor, a hipcat... I'm just going to do it... doesn't mean I'm a hater... means you're uncomfortable.
Regarding the Dives. I wrote about them a few weeks back. There's a lot that went on that night that I didn't write about: the Dives saying they wouldn't play in the venue again, and that they needed a better sound system, the creepy old guy clawing his way at chingpea and Matildakay, the nice dude who let me into the Rooster to take photos, Pretty Ophelia and Mystic who both said hi, the Filthies friend who talked about the big water pumping stations south of Bakersfield, my two margaritas, and so on... I can't write about it all... the Dives sounded good. They added a new guitarist and had a fuller sound. Tyler is sporting a new hairdo--looks emo-ish.
If people would read this blog more often they would already know that Nick is a self professed controversial asshole writer. Who happens to own a black ribbed T-shirt.
The only thing I've learned from this article that I didn't know already is
1. Nick likes Starbucks coffee.
2. Some people will focus on ONE stupid ass word/comment/statement and dismiss everything else.
Nobody has even mentioned what a cutie Cortnie from the Dalloways looks in those pictures. She's so cute, I just want to take her home and put her up on my mantle.
I married Cortnie in a previous life. Gary is getting sloppy seconds.
OK, truth: Kenny Mount and I are obsessed with Cortnie to the point where we bought matching keyboards and put numbers stickers all over them. We take turns with a he-she blonde wig and hold mini concerts in each other's living rooms.
One of those starbucks employees looks like Nyoka's boyfriend.
The starbucks closest to my house is ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS out of stuff, which bugs the heckoutta me.
Subtract the Starbucks drama and the evening sounds splendid... except the Starbucks drama is funny in that pitiful sort of way.
Kenny is fuckin' HOT! His wife is very lucky. The Filthies were HOT that night despite Gus not there anymore!
Interesting Starfucks adventure. I hate that overpriced coffee place. My favorite picture is that one of Chingpea pouring shit on the sign. Classic. If they saw that, they'd probably cry and whine to have her clean that shit up. Ha ha ha!
-Jamie
Ok, as a Starbucks manager i have just a couple comments. First off, I am sorry you had that experience in that store, I actually know the he-she that came up to you. Personally, not my favorite person, very rude. And no, you did not ruin the sign in any way, like you said, im sure a few cats have pissed on it a few times in its day. However, what if those people in those pictures didnt want their faces on the internet? Givein the fact they probably have a myspace, but in this kind of blog im sure no starbucks employee wants their faces plastered in it. I also know that Starbucks is huge on no publicity because they are trying to look out for their partners best interests. If you dont like that, then its fine. If you are going to base your judgement on one store, then you are very closeminded. I happen to know a lot of people who dont like big corprate companys, such as starbucks, and they will pick one store and love it. You need to find a one that has those partners who actually care about their customers. Coming from a photographer, its dumb that you cant take pictures, but from a journalist, you should know that you need to ask for permission to use those peoples faces, and fro permission to take them in the first place. I will agree one hundred percent though, i hate the pastries. Now i am going to be anonymous because i am not going to lose my job, not becasue i am scared of you.
Let me clarify again... I will still go to Starbucks, and sorry, but journalists and bloggers don't have to ask for permission...
If we had to ask for permission, most photos wouldn't make it into newspapers.
That's just corporate-speak. Someone brainwashed you into thinking that photos inside of Starbucks are illegal.
And there we have it folks, someone from inside of Starbucks has backed up the fact that there is a rude employee...
I guess that IS the issue.
My coffee was decent.
Was.
The Porterville Starbucks rocks. They once gave me the wrong drink. I called to complain and the person who answered said, "no problem, come back whenever you want and get a free one."
I recently saw the CEO? I think? of Starbucks on PBS and he said that customer satisfaction is their #1 priority. I would have to say from my experience that is the case. At least in Porterville.
I think he said giving back to the community was also a priority. Clean outdoor signs were on their priority list. Clean restrooms and parking lots. Sadly, their pastries were never mentioned. :)
I want to come back as Cortnie's cat or dog or parakeet in my next life. She just looks so cool! Maybe her coolness would rub off on me a little. Or maybe my dorkyness would rub off on her. Oops. That would not be a good thing.
Supreme Bean Kona Mocha with a shot of praline and english toffee.
Suzanne Schmedding taught me that drink several years back. It's still my fave.
Starbucks is a last resort. Local businesses have more to offer: Supreme Bean, Filling Station, Java Jazz.
It's sad in a way that Porterville's Starbucks makes you so happy, Norma. That means there isn't a localy-owned coffeehouse?
How immature and disrespectful of you all making such a big deal of one person's rudeness. All the insults, the name calling, etc. Sad. Just sad.
Very high school of Chingpea to be pouring stuff on a sign for vengeance when you just should have walked away. Shame on those with her to let it happen.
The article was interesting. I'll give you that much.
Well there you go, entertaining.
Maybe, just maybe the photos were staged. Was that actually coffee poured on the sign?
Sure are alot of anonymous bloggers here. C'mon..."high school", "shame"? What better way to express disappointment than to blog and advertise. If I have a problem with my food in a restaurant I learned not to make a scene right there. I can just leave rather than complain right then and possibly get my new order spat upon. And I do know it happens! How do you feel about the constant disposal of L.A.'s poop on the fields of Kern County? Coffee on a coffee house sign? Whoopeedee doo!...Now yard sale signs...that's a down right ugly and rude behavioral human act of disrespect to another's property!...maybe this new blogging societal order can create change in business and way of life, where stale papers and T.V. shows can't. All hail the New Order!...go forth and blog!
Maybe they all work for Starbuckles, DW.
The Cafe con Leche that I make myself at HOME every morning makes me happy. And it makes my wallet happy that I don't spend 5 bucks for it. It's free.
The Caramel Apple Latte and the Congo Colada smoothie and the Monkey Madness smoothie at Juice and Java Jungle on the corner of Henderson and Indiana make me happy. Plus the fact that they have those card thingies.. where they stamp it everytime you buy a drink and then when the card is full you get a free drink.
But yes, Starbucks also makes me happy. They have good service. I don't think that's sad.
"Starbucks" backwards is "skcubrats"!ha...wow, I shouldn't be teasing this establishment any more. I have had some good drinks and conversation there. But just how did the world survive before Starbucks though? Before the latte-venti-frapa-capa-crapa-grande-caramel-choco-whipped up-frothy-double-shotty-snotty-potty-gift card boughty-nouveau-blendo-trendo-a-go-go?...how 'bout a moment of silence for the old 10 cent cup-a-joe and his pal free-refill...
During the day I work for a company that has a latte machine, and a coffee machine, cocoa for the latte machine, two different kinds of cocoa in the coffee-break room, cider, decaf, 10 different creamers... it's all free!
And still, people will spend 4 bucks for a morning coffee so they can tout around their status cup. I'm gonna get reamed by co-workers for this comment. heh.
Wow...I finally read the entire article..was dealing with major migraines first time around.
Here are my observations:
The "he/she" looks to be about my age, and consequently probably doesn't want to lose his job due to college tuition, rent, etc. to keep track of. I work in customer service, and he didn't have the right to be a prick, but weren't you goading him just a tich with the "hey I took photos in your store, neener neener". He obviously didn't extensively know company policy but he has the right to be angered when he finds out that he and his employees(and/ or customers) are going to be on a random website(which for all he knows could be porn). He's young, but more importantly, he's a human being.
I really do hope the coffee-pouring on the sign was staged. You got your photos. He didn't rip the camera out of your hands. I have been consistently disgusted with the bimbos that work at Forever 21, some of the Jack In The Box employees on Mt. Vernon, etc., but I have never felt driven to vandalize a company's personal property.
As far as the status-cup, I go to the bucks because they
A. have a drive-thru
B. are consistently quick and courteous(to me at least).
Additionally, I know that if I get a non-fat sugar-free vanilla latte on ice that it will be 100 calories and no fat every time. And I am in fact a control freak.
Finally, the croissants do blow. Which is good. Because I would be a croissant fat-ass if they were tasty.
Anymouse: When I talked to the employee I was outside. I had walked away. I came back. I was very polite. There was no "neener-neener" to it. I was going to write a polite article about the Filthies. In no way had I intended to write about Starbucks.
I did stand up to this individual and to their corporation because this individual represents the Starbucks corporation. They hired this moron. Sorry, we all pay rent. Doesn't give anyone the right to be a prick to a customer. He could have been very polite and asked that I not return inside to take photos, or that I don't take any in the future. I had already left anyways. Didn't matter. He could have also politely asked how I intended to use the photos. He didn't.
It was a simple music review and tour of a coffee establishment. I wasn't looking for trouble. Trouble revealed itself in the worker/manager/whatever he is...
Why was he so paranoid and aggressive? Does his actions represent himself or the paranoia of the parent company?
I was verbally assaulted. My verbal defense occurred there, and, such a person would not have had to right to even attempt to take the camera from my hands. If so? He would have been laying on the sidewalk.
The coffee pouring didn't hurt the sign. It did hurt a few people's egos.
And that's entertainment!
Were you in fact verbally assaulted? I believe you called him the stupid prick. If it's the blondie I think you're referring to, he's a sweetheart and I don't know if I'm entirely kosher with the he/she description. His eye-makeup does punch my eye-makeup job in the ovaries on a consistent basis. I recognize that he didn't have the right to take the camera out of your hands. He does have the right, however, to defend his $9/hr. 9-5.
huh? You need to read clearly.
No one took a camera from me. So no one got a black eye.
He might be sweet to you. He wasn't sweet to me.
heh.
I wasn't sweet in return.
Don't want damn ol candy in my cuppa joe. Best coffee (black, no sprinkles or "pretend" flavors, just the damn coffee) comes from the fast food joints. McD's, JIB, etc.
If i want all the calories that are in a grandie mamma-shtuppa allegro twist with extra fuzzy hounddog curl, I'd just go eat a goddam candybar for sixty cents, I sure wouldn't be paying six bucks for the same amount of crap served in a cup.
The people who go to starfucks are the same ones who refi their houses every year to get a new lincoln escalanche extrusion SUV with big screen porno and then rent a set of 25" rims with spinners and broccoli-elastics for tires.
The guy in question could probably give a shit about all this. He probably had a bad day, took it out N.L.
He probably feels dumb about it now. He may have even regretted it right after it happened.
And if he wears eye makeup, he probably wasn't even offended with the whole he-she comment. He probably gets it all the time.
Hey now! I resent that. The 25" rims on my new lincoln escalanche extrusion SUV with big screen porno are NOT spinners. hehehe. And I've only refinanced my house every other year. :)
wow. okay. i was directed to this article by a friend of mine to had some qualms about some of the speech you used in your article. i must say i am apalled.
i understand that the focus of the article was negative experience with starbucks. and a rude employee. what i dont understand is the lack tact in your diction. i do believe in absolute free speech, so if you stand behind your words, i respect that, wholeheartedly.
My issues with your choice of words are these: You, yourself, have now stated that you are one of the few remaining "alternative" news sources in bakersfield media, however you regard it. Now, if you're goin to claim to be a controversial blogger/novelist/bakersfield culture enthusiast, thats fine by me. but i think it just further adds to the fact that there is a lack of a true non discrimantory voice in bakersfield. its sad when a such a revered blogger/writer begins to sound as irresponsible as bakerfield conservative talk radio by not acknowledging that his words have a legitimate reason to be percieved as "softcore hate speech". which brings me to my next qualm with, mostly, your reactions to people's concern of your use of the "he/she" term. i hope you understand, i'm not writing to pick a fight, but merely to raise awareness that you have used terms that are extremely offensive to a small segment of the population (a minority, if you will). when you call the employee "he/she" in anger, its in line with having called someone a "zebra" or a "halfbreed" or (at one time, even) "chicano/mestizo". basically subhumanizes the person to their "confused-self". while not as bad as using terms as strong as faggot, dyke, wetback, the term still holds strong negative and discriminate conotations. while there are complaints by yourself and several readers that people are making this an issue and are too sensitive, it would be irresponsible to dismiss such concerns as "whining". the concerns are legitimate, perhaps it would better serve your purpose (and service to the community) to cough up to the fact that perhaps you made a boo boo.
but i understand, you're free to have your opinions and say what you like at all times. especially on a forum that you have created by yourself. more power to you. just made me a little wary.
thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Dave Montoya (The Only Dave That Matters) Cptdaveman
Dave you make an interesting point.
But to think I am a gay/transgender hater is silly. One of the books noveltown might publish has gay themes and is by a gay author. I'm not afraid of gays, nor of promoting them, and I haven't been afraid to use terms in the past that are derogatory toward gender, race, etc...
But I do so to entertain, to have fun... I thumbed my nose at a prick and the corporation he represented. So what?
I do try to make a point to offend everyone at times. I used to tell my history courses at Bakersfield College. "If I don't offend you at least once, I will get to that."
And if I am pissed, I will call anyone a name. That's just me. I'm human. I say and write things to be entertaining, to prod and poke and to make people think.
I think it's brave of me to admit that I was confused to gender. And not only that, but my confusion plays into the corporate consciousness of Starbucks itself that often hires trendy people that CAN be stereotyped and questioned.
Why do you think comedians make fun of them all the time?
Go watch the Foamy links. Interesting parallel there.
And, I did not write he-she to be derogatory. I actually wrote he-she because I found it hilarious that while I was pissed off I didn't know whether to say prick or not.
I found that funny. If you didn't. Well, I am always pissing someone off. Get over it or read someone elses blog. I remember calling Nate Berg choice names. Did you complain?
If you wanted me to write, "And I was confused on whether to say prick to this motherfucker in a green smock because it was dark and I couldn't tell if he had nuts," then I'm sorry. There, I wrote it. And I have been referring to this mysterious he as a he since I was informed.
In the English language we often write he/she. Is that derogatory or...?
Get over it. You're giving Captain Caveman a bad name. He would have clubbed that Starbucks fucker.
LMAO....well as a Starbuck's employee....let me apologize. Perhaps you got a barista that had just made one too many grande carmel frappaccinos, extra caramel. Youd be suprised at the abuse we take from ppl that think the world will end if they dont get their venti nonfat sugar-free vanilla latte. People are really ugly before coffee!
Starbucks cup #43?
um, ok, pardon me, nobody has said a thing, I feel I must, there is an elephant in the room.
Whats with the Hanes gich?
are those he or she undies?
Hanes is a good company, a big corp-or-ation, but I think a good company.
Hanes and Starbucks go, um, hand-in-hand?
Wow... This is funny to me because I too work for Starbucks.... AND yes, that is my boyfriend. (The tall dark & handsome one lookin' all cute behind the counter.)
I actually really like working for Starbucks most of the time, and I like most of the pastries. But ya know what? Customers are shitty to me all day long. And sometimes... I'm shitty right back. Am I proud of that? Not so much. Someday I'm afraid a rude, unsuspecting customer will get a frappuccino to the face, courtesy of my much-overdue nervous breakdown.
I hope it's not you. haha :-p
The Dalloways, The Filthies, very,very cool bands, and peoples!...and back to Starbucks, it's interesting that most employee comments sound like they aren't all that happy in their work. Nervous breakdowns, managers hate the pastries, customers are asses,blah,blah...the cool thing is this will eventually ruin Starbucks and the expensive coffee programming industry...the downside, more vacant buildings when they close. Like the Krispy Kreme on Stockdale and California.
Susan Jones.. you are my new hero. I was so distracted by the fuck you's and the insults and the indignation that I never even noticed the Hanes.
I'm a sweetheart before coffee, but many people are heinous. People do get kind of medieval about their carmel. I don't get rims. I have no beef with Supreme Bean or Dagney's. But Dagney's Chai is slightly more expensive than Starfuck's(by about twenty cents perhaps) and they don't have a drive-thru. Coffee isn't a relaxation experience for me. They have wine for that. But to each his(or her) own.
The Filthies suck anyway. They were good back when they did KRAB fest. Now, sucky suck suck. Especially now since their other guitarist left. They should quit already:)
Gus McFuss? Is that you??
If you saw us at Krabfest, that was when Jeff Jackson was in the band. Gosh we were awsome. After he left, things just went down hill. Sorry we suck. You wanna get a Starbucks and talk about your "Scat" festish?
Made me lmao dude..
What complex words can you really say about illiteracy ....these are the problems in which stem from our decaying society....the stupid bitch/bastard really didn't know any better.
I love Anonymos people. I always wonder if it's a fat hairy woman with shankers on her chest or a tall thin blonde dude that just killed his grandma and is having intercourse with her corpse while he's typing.......I'm off to shave!
All I have to say about Starbucks is that their bathroom mirrors make me look thin.I can bear with an overpowering stench of urine on top of every surface covered with wetness(urine?)in exchange for that.
Next,do Blockbuster. I call them Cocksucker.I don't even have a dvd player anymore since my last breaking and entering but I like to go in there with my pitbull to upset the lame workers.
leave a response