OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Will you be participating in Starbucks' new book club?

Starbucks announced this week the creation of "1st Readers Club," and said the first book to be discussed is "The House at Sugar Beach" by Helene Cooper. Discuss the book club or anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD comments area. Other possible topics: Holiday drinks and the annual favorite on Starbucks Gossip: Christmas tips. (What do you do when a customer wants to tip a specific barista?) || "We are starting our first Starbucks book club"

Comments

[Barista Joe]

Just so they can stop reading the headlines on Wall Street, right?

[truth]

Back to the roots!

[Me]

So we Baristas get homework to do now? Are we supposed to read these books to start a conversation about them? If so, do we get paid to do so? (My wishes would come true, getting paid for something I LOVE to do)

But under a reality check, I guess they will suggest we read the book, make us feel bad if we don't and give us more extra work to do on the floor so we won't even think about starting a conversation about a good book.

Hey, Melody, where is you report about the SSC coffee tasting? Are you in court? Even though we don't have the goldcard here in Canada yet I'd love to hear it.

[FOCUS!]

Just another distraction!

i tried reading that book, but couldn't get into it. we have like 12 copies left to sell. :(

maybe, if the book were interesting, i'd be willing to be a part of this book reader's club.

[Melody]

Yes: I just bought the book last night, and I'm only a few pages into it.

Report back from the FIRST EVER GOLD CARD EVENT:

I got an invitation (along with a number of other selected Gold Card holders) to come to an event at the SSC.

The event was planned as some fresh roasting of coffee, a coffee tasting with Tom Douglas, who helped create Thanksgiving Blend coffee, a trip to the cupping room (which is the equivalent of the point of nirvana at Starbucks), and then a roundtable discussion with Brad Stevens, (Marketing Vice President) along with others who are a part of the Gold Card team.

I arrived on time at about 10:45 and I was greeted by friendly people in green aprons right outside of the Starbucks Support Center (hereinafter “SSC” LOL ;-)). We went up to the main area of the SSC where there is a balcony overlooking an open area, and there were tables set up with turkey and gravy, and a roasting oven roasting up some Thanksgiving Blend coffee!! The smell, when the freshly roasted coffee poured out, was truly heaven. There were a lot of cameras going, and I was told that the event was being recorded for their internal use. Lots of people mulled around – mostly Starbucks employees who came to taste Thanksgiving Blend with the turkey. At this point, I began to meet other Gold Card invitees who had received their special invitations to come to the SSC. It was somewhat reassuring to meet other people with the same level of Starbucks addiction as myself!! I met a young woman who came up from the Pierce County area of Washington (south of Seattle) who put me to shame. It was very humbling to realize that there really are other customers out there with just as much if not more Starbucks passion than me.

Tom Douglas spoke on a stage and told a fabulous story about the very very early days of Starbucks and that a Starbucks rep would come to his kitchen and double check his coffee timers to make sure that he wasn’t serving old coffee. It was very humorous and Tom Douglas described nearly wanted to throw a punch at the guy who interfered in his kitchen just to check the timers. Howard also spoke for a few minutes too.

After the turkey, gravy, and coffee, we (all the Gold Card people) headed to the cupping room for a more formal tasting comparing Guatemala Antigua, Sumatra, and then finally Thanksgiving Blend. That was a great 3 way tasting to do!! I still think you can taste very strong Sumatra notes in Thanksgiving Blend but I like the slight acidity that Thanksgiving Blend has. By the way, the cupping room tasting was lead by Jason, who was the same wonderful man who had lead me in a tasting in September.

After the tasting, another guy (Anthony?) talked about how cuppings are done in the cupping room, and told us about the quality control, and how every new blend of coffee has its genesis right in that room.

At this point Howard came in again and talked for about another two minutes. He talked about the passion of Starbucks and the exciting new things with (Red), and basically, very sincerely, thanked us all for being customers.

He then rushed out of the room saying “I have to get back to work.” (For those of you who are following this, I still have not been able to get his autograph on my Starbucks card).

After the cupping room, I and the other special Gold Card customers went into a conference room and basically had a roundtable discussion with Brad Stevens and his team. Here was the humbling part of it for me: I listened to other customers and their stories with Starbucks (not just Seattle Starbucks but other places too) and I felt like one very small part of a very big sky. There are lots of stars in the Starbucks sky.

One man talked about regularly using Starbucks as a place where he meets with people and does marriage counseling – the Starbucks near him has a meeting room! Though the team wanted to hear about our interactions with the Gold Card. The group of customers was fairly divided about whether it being a two-swipe or one swipe process was a nuisance or not. Interestingly, when Brad asked the question whether the card ITSELF was important or what would be the significance of just using a number, almost every customer WANTED to carry a card. There was a very old man in the group who said that he has bought the Gold Card as gifts to be mailed to people, and it would be no fun to “mail a number” and that having the card makes them feel special.

In the end we left with a bag of goodies. I got a pound of freshly roasted Thanksgiving Blend, and a Tom Douglas book, a Christmas CD, and a tumbler.

(By the way, I was there with a group of customers, so if anyone reading this board wants to chime in because you were there with me, please do! I definitely didn't catch everyone's name!)

[Catrina]

I would participate for sure - who picks the books? I have not heard of the one mentioned.

I heart starbucks, unfortunately, I live in Delaware and we don't have very many of them.

NOR did we have the free coffee if you voted :(

[peaches]

Wow melody, that sounds intense.

As for Christmas tips, I haven't read last seasons rantings on the topic, but in my opinion, if a customer really wants you to take an individual tip, take it, wait til they leave, and put it with the other tips. It's the honest thing to do.

[ShiftyinNV]

I second what peaches says.

I get individually tipped at least a couple times a week. I always put it in my pocket, wait until they've left, and put it with the rest. I don't see why a holiday should be any different.

[Me]

Wow, that tipping issue came out of the blue. I really don't think it is a big issue these days anyways. At least in my area we are always making less than 1 Dollar an hour, sometimes we are lucky to get over 50 cents. So I don't expect much personal tipping at all this year.

[Me]

Melody, your report is wonderful to read, as always. I sometimes wish I was in the Seattle area myself.

[Torontodude]

From www.adrants.com:

Renamed WiFi Networks Guilt Freeloaders Into Buying Coffee

This is truly brilliant. With free WiFi popping up at cafes the world over, the number of people impolitely "stealing" it without so much as buying a simple coffee has increased as well. To both reprimand and capitalize on this trend, Holland-based CoffeeCompany, with help from THEY, has started promoting menu items through people's WiFi menus.

By continuously changing the names of their store networks to such things as OrderAnotherCoffeeAlready, BuyCoffeeForCuteGirlOverThere?, HaveYouTriedCoffeeCake?, BuyAnotherCupYouCheapskate, TodaysSpecialExpresso1.60Euro and BuyaLargeLatterGetBrownieForFree, the chain is able to both promote items as well as guilt patrons into realizing free WiFi really isn't totally free.

Hilarity ensued when patrons would ask the barista what the name of the network was and the barista would shout, "OrderAnoterCoffeeAlready" or any of the other witty names.

Simple. Effective. Cost-efficient. What's not to love?

[spence]

We share all tips except holidays. Whoever works the holiday, shares all the tips for that specific day. Last Christmas, one man was so pleased that we were open, he dropped $100 in the tip jar.

[kcbarista]

I know that technically, you are supposed to put it with the other tips, but I keep it if it is big enough. I have worked in too many crappy stores to share something that was obviously meant for my hard work.

[Rebecca]

Where are the Cranberry Bliss Bars?!! I have waited all year for them...and when will the Arabian Mocha Sanini be back???

I think it sucks they stopped offering it in stores, downgraded it to seasonal status, and none of the managers in my store told me until I asked after we had been out for two weeks. Sigh..

[Pat Nerr]

Melody... I'm surprised you and I didn't run into each other at the event today. That was really fun though. It was good to see Tom get recongnized for his partnership with Starbucks.

It was fun to watch Brad fire up the roaster again. I miss that.

I also grabbed some office supplies to throw in my bag... Don't worry. I grabbed you some too.

[Mrs. Tillinghamshackles]

Rebecca,
Be calm, and rejoice. Holiday doesn't start until Thanksgiving. Which is when Cranberry Bliss starts.

[aboveandbeyond]

has anyone else heard about the cancellation of everyone's store holiday parties?

[Melody]

Ahh Pat Nerr, you're too much. What does seem weird to me is that there isn't a million other people writing about yesterday's events: The room was full of people, and I definitely wasn't the only customer there. I can't possibly have been the only customer addicted to Starbucks Gossip in the group. Heck, Howard and Tom Douglas were there: Maybe they'll chime in on how it went! LOL ;)

[on the line]

kcbarista
It is ok for you to pocket tips meant just for you. As a person who deploys though, I would have you on dishes, prep, cafe, bathroom detail or anything where you are least likely to get a tip if I found out you were pocketing tips for yourself. Your "hard work" was done by alot of people. Did you personally make all of the prep? Did you do all of the dishes that were required? Did you order all of the product, wire the pos, clean the fridge, keep the store clean, pass health inspection etc all on your own? If not, stop being a greedy arrogant thief with an over-inflated sense of entitlement. It takes a team to do the work and you are nothing special. Rationalize and justify your poor ethics and behavior all you want thief.

All but two stores in my district canceled their holiday meetings. First time in 10 years I will not be going to a holiday meeting at Starbucks. Sad days.

[being sarcastic.]

Our holiday/party meeting is just a meeting this year. We'll all be squished into the back room sitting on boxes of Pike with our legs tangled in the metal shelves and our faces peeking out between the Vanilla syrup and Pumpkin Spice. Can't wait.
On the positive side, thanks to this gossip site, I'm selling lots of Gold Cards to earn money for the real holiday party which is sponsored by the sales of Gold Cards and Thanksgiving Blend.

[Melody]

Really no holiday party? :( Why are so many stores not having one? Is that something that corporate pays for or how does it normally happen? I'd still want to do a secret santa. :)

[sbuxnewbie]

Rebecca - Cranberry Bliss Bars are scheduled for November 24th.

aboveandbeyond: First I've heard about it.

Of course, they announced the holiday parties first, THEN let us know that we couldn't get any more Thanksgiving Blend...

...And this was AFTER the bozos never shipped us ANY 1-lb bags of the t-blend! We had to get it from other stores, all of who want us to return it, so they can earn money for the parties.

At least we have some bullets... but probably not enough to last through Thanksgiving... and no guarantee that we'll get any more.

Also, anyone hear that a store now has to have sales of $20,000/wk to earn an ASM now? Between the increase in that number, and SMs/ASMs transferring in from other districts, it looks like there is no chance of promotion beyond Shift anymore. Any wonder that the partner surveys showed a pretty major drop in partner expectations of a future with Starbucks?

[aboveandbeyond]

the holiday party that i was referring to is the one that each store gets to have every year that corporate pays for. my manager told me this morning that corporate decided to make "smarter" decisions. i feel that things like the holiday party are great for store morale and team building.

sbuxnewbie... i read on the portal that stores won't be receiving any more 1lb bags of thanksgiving blend because the whole supply has already been distributed.

In my area all holiday meetings were canceled, no holiday party, and we lost 1% of our non-coverage. The first time in my 7 years at starbucks....the one time we need it the most it is taken away - very sad!

sbuxnewbie - yes the threshold for ASMs has changed. $20,000 for one, $30,000 for two, and no stores in slated for three (although they may do one-offs on that).

It is all very sad for me...I was really hoping they would be investing more in the stores to recreate the experience, but sadly I do not think that is the case. We are expected to more with less yet once more.

That's a lovely message to send to all the hard-working baristas...
Hey, we know we just dropped millions of dollars to send all the managers to New Orleans for 5 days, but NOW, we've decided to make "smarter decisions."
I can just feel the respect and dignity oozing from the higher ups!

Keep in mind people that this incentive is going to bring the average store more money than the allotted amount for a holiday party. Theoretically, if your store got the full $5,000 max, you could have your holiday party in Vegas including airfare and hotel!

[OldSchool]

oh my gosh, people, get a grip! You all seem to really not be living in reality, with some of these comments. Holiday parties, at a time when over 1000 of us were laid off throughout the past six months? Be grateful that you have a job. Seriously. Do ANY of you read the news? Anyone hear that we're in a full fledged recession? Anyone hear that unemployment is up to 6.5% nationally, and expected to hit 8% before we see any reversal of trends?

You need to think of no cost solutions that increase morale in the store. Tell your fellow partner they're doing a good job when you see it. Appreciate the customer that is treating themselves just that one time this month, because it's all they can afford. Stop throwing out mark-outs and make an effort to find a cause to donate to. Spearhead a make-your-mark in your store, to collect donations for a family in need this holiday season.

THAT is what holiday at Starbucks always meant to me. But I guess I'm truly old school.

personally, i don't see anything wrong with accepting personal tips. and i believe, on the line, that kcbarista is referring to regulars. if a stranger gave me a personal tip, i'd be flattered, but would put it in the tip jar. if a regular, however, gave me the tip, i'd keep it (only if it were intended for me). regulars get to know and like particular baristas because they're genuine and care about how they're doing and if the surgery went well, etc., so they want to show they're appreciation to YOU, not the entire staff.

so, i think to avoid problems, regulars maybe should give they're favorite barista a christmas or holiday card with a tip inside. that way it's personal, and the tip jar and it's rules are avoided completely. :)

omg! i'm sorry for the grammatical mistakes! :( sheesh

[baristajack]

Great post OldSchool, some people will always want more , rather than appreciate what they have, or recognize how so many have so much less, its nice to see that compassionate people are still out there, YOU are what the holiday spirit is about, thank you again. its unfortunate that more people arent like you

[baristajack]

i don't think ANY barista should keep a tip, everyone does their part to create the environment , that is theft as far as I'm concerned, as a previous post stated, in a card with your name on it is one thing, other than that you should be fired for stealing tips, if you require those kind of tips get a job as a waitress, and you'll have your own tables, shame on you

[Jessicaramel macchiato]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I remember from partner training, can't you be fired for pocketing tips, whether they are specifically meant for you or not?

[kaitlin]

my understanding has always been that you shan't pocket tips, but rather put them all into the tip jar. the exception to this is holidays, such as new years and christmas, where you get paid excess wage. then, you share tips day-of.

[pay for your party]

we always had unofficial parties so we could have booze. our sm always did a paid out for some food tho.

[Brad]

If I were to tip a barista and tell them it is for them only, and to find out they were forced to give it to others, as a customer I would be pissed. I dont want a tip to an outstanding barista to be shared with a bad employee who I hate. Knowing managers on the (on the line) would punish a barista for taking a tip which was given to them makes me want to stop tipping all together and avoid Starbucks. Its clear there managers dont appreciate or reward outstanding staff.

[PhillyBarista]

When I was a Barista I never accepted a "personal tip". However, if a customer gave me a sealed envelope with a card inside containing cash I had no issues keeping that. To me, the personally addressed card made it become a "present" to me vs. a "tip" for my work. I hope that makes sense.

[Brad]

PhillyBarista- I like that idea. I will be sure to use it. Takes a little more planning, but then I know the people who make the Starbucks experience just that for me get the tip and the ones who are rude and look clueless wont benefit from it. Thanks

[Barista of the Millennium]

Quick question for downtown partners:

Is there any reimbursement for parking fees for partners? I recently moved somewhere and I work at a Sbux downtown. I eventually had to get a parking pass at $55/month, which was the cheapest pass in the area. There is no bus from where I love and a bike is not an option in the cold.

Does Starbucks help at all with this? This is about 4% of my check every month. Thanks!

[The ASM]

Yes, just show your receipts and go to your manager. If he/she is not willing then call your DM. I used to do the same thing a long time ago and I had to go to my DM because my SM wouldnt help.

Barista of the Millennium:
if there is a problem getting to work find a new job. starbucks doesn't care where you are or how you get there just as long as you are there. just as long as any other job.

[Darleen]

If not, stop being a greedy arrogant thief with an over-inflated sense of entitlement. It takes a team to do the work and you are nothing special. Rationalize and justify your poor ethics and behavior all you want thief

Wow, did espresso blend spawn a child? What's with the name calling over a post on the web? Why do so many of you want to rip into each other? Who are you to call someone a theif or talk about their integrity from one post? That was pretty harsh. Try decaf, it may help.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

If you think not having a Holiday party is a bad idea email Uncle Howie. Tell him at the Holiday Party/Meeting people could bring Toys for Tots or canned food for a soup kitchen? If they could send the store managers to New Orleans they can afford a 2 hour non-coverage event.

[Katie Luper]

I regularly tip to the "tip jar" but if I wanted to add something special for my favorite barista for the holidays, do you think a gift card would be okay? I was thinking of a cute card with an amazon gift card inside or something like that. I don't want to get him in trouble but he goes above and beyond to be nice and thoughtful to me. If a gift card is a problem is there something else that would be more appropriate?

[C to the B]

Darleen -

In the first paragraph of your most recent post you call someone a thief - twice! In the second paragraph you ask "who are you to call someone a thief?". The question is: Who are you? You post often but I'm curious, how long have been with SBux and what is your position?

I think the reason people are pretty harsh on this website is because there is a HUGE amount of frustration out there. Are you so high up in the company that you are out of touch with the lowly baristas? Just askin'.

[Mike]

Starbucks hasn't provided any funding for holiday parties (previously known as Cheer Parties) for awhile now. The last time we had any type of funding or labor for a party was three years ago. My store has organized one the last two years with DM approval. If you can show an increased revenue the day of the party, you won't have a problem (Tip: do it the week of Partner Shopping Days and have all your partners who are buying anything do it the day of the party)...do lots of samples to drive business to the POS...have your coffee master do a seminar around Christmas Blend...and if you have connections get some live music...make up tons of flyers and advertise the hell out of it at least two weeks ahead of time...the last two years we've spent roughly $100-$150 on our party between decorations, labor and increased inventory and have made over $1000 in additional sales for that day. Trust me, no one will say a damn thing...

[smitty]

I totally agree about tips. If I, the customer, give a tip to one barista and went to find out that it was split up between everyone at the store, I would never tip again.

Now that I know this happens, and that my personally given tips are being distributed to everyone on staff, I will NEVER tip for service or drinks -ever- again. I would feel bad about it, but knowing my direct wishes as a customer were being violated, that leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.

I'm probably what most baristas would consider very high maintenance, as I don't mind sending back a drink two or three times to meet the standards I expect and always expect excellent customer service. In the past, I'd always throw a dollar in the jar, but no more.

Maybe Starbucks needs to reevaluate their policies. The baristas who are complaining are probably the ones who know they'd never get a tip if they weren't evenly distributed.

With personally given tips, too, it sort of pits baristas against each other and benefits the customer in getting great service.

I will not give another extra dollar past what the cost of a cup of coffee is anymore. I guess the baristas will have to work extra hard to meet my demanding expectations in service and quality and get nothing but their regular pay for it.

[radiopromoguy]

There are policies to follow... just like in any other business. Policy at Starbucks is to split tips. That is why the tip jar is there. I would feel very awkward if a customer tried to give me a personal tip, and would actually ask the customer to put it in the tip jar as everyone is involved with the service that the customer is receiving. My suggestion to customers is that if you don't want to tip, then don't. It won't affect your service.

Well.....I don't know what to say. When I tip at a restaurant I know the busser gets part of that tip, and that's more than fine with me- he/she worked too.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that not sharing a personal tip is -theft-. Usually when someone does that for me it's because they think I did something above and beyond. And I can see why sharing it bothers a customer who leaves that to reward ME. They're trying to reward and/or motivate the person they gave it to.

Nonetheless, we're all working that day and we all have a hand in the environment we create.

If I were a customer what I might be bothered by is the fact that tips are not even shared out on the day- they're pooled and distributed WEEKLY. While I certainly understand that this is simpler overall (and I don't actually WANT more closing chores *g*), this has now and then impacted me personally in a negative way. There have been many times I worked a busy, busy time and gave my all.....and yes, felt slightly more deserving that particular day/week than those working ordinary shifts. I'm human you know :).