OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: What's your reaction to Starbucks' just-announced fall offerings?

The line-up: Protein latte; Signature hot chocolate (a sort of thin Chantico); "Perfect oatmeal" with nuts, berries and brown sugar; "Protein pack" featuring peanut butter, hard boiled egg, and mini bagel; multi-grain roll with almond butter; and a fruit and nut bar. Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the weekend open thread.

Comments

Truth, you crack me up. Do you think it is rocket science to figure out what Starbucks is doing??

[Darleen]

20secondshotguy,
Thank you for the sweet sentiments! Your posts always lift my spirits, especially the poem that you posted awhile back. I read that post from time to time and it always gives me strength. I know I will always have a soft spot for starbucks, I had invested so much in the company and I can't help but feel like it was a slap in the face with everything that's been happening. Before, when I would read bitter posts I would always think they were from someone who had been let go and they were just venting. I wonder was my head stuck in the sand? I am stuck between anger and sadness. I know one year from now I'll look back and see that it was the right decision but I can't help but feel the loss. Anyway, thank you for being so kind and caring. Keep your light shining for those who can't find their way.

[20secondshotguy]

Hi Darleen,

You just hit on some wonderful pieces of wisdom.

At any given time we see only what we want and expect to see. We're taught values and attitudes by our families, our culture and the companies we work for. You've got those Starbucks values memorized, don't you? I bet even Pat still remembers them and that he could give us a history lesson in their origin. ;-)

The idea of what a partner is like came from outside yourself. It was taught to you, modeled by others and adopted by you. Behavior that didn't fit that understanding might have been described as "not Starbuckian." Because of that it makes perfect sense--to me--that you would think that bitter posts came from folks that were let go. Now you know a little differently.

Was your head in the sand? Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn't. I know it's easy to get caught up in the way things are supposed to be. I often challenged folks to take the action-steps that were most "starbuckian" I was a "culture" guy.

The dark side of thinking this way is that it pigeon-holes what being a partner is all about and even what Starbucks should be like. Do you remember how a few years back folks left the company after they were asked to define a clean store in a different way? Many of those partners said their store was "already clean." It's funny to look back and remember. More recently there was similar resistance when folks were asked to "change the game." Some heard that and said, "What? New rules? I'm not playing."

You are grieving, that is why you are stuck between anger and sadness. There is loss. Let yourself sit with it. Just the same, make sure your grieving doesn't steal this day.

You might pay attention to what specifically angers you or makes you sad. Use the presence of those feelings to learn more about yourself. Perhaps to learn what's most important to you. Again, be mindful not to let something that happened in the past get in the way of you being your best self today. More people than you know have their day brightened in their smallest interactions with you. Your presence is part of what makes the present a gift. Be well.

[espresso team]

Hi all...I work in the SSC and wanted to clarify some of the beverage details above for you:

Vanilla Latte + Protein - think of this a bit like a hot smoothie; it's a way for customers to "tide themselves over" from meal to meal. It will definitely appeal to some of your customers.

Pumpkin Spice is coming back.

Signature Hot Chocolate - is NOT Chantico. It is a richer, more chocolate forward hot chocolate than the current hot chocolate, but is very simple to make (unlike Chantico).

There is a Salted Caramel version of the SHC, LTO only (goes away when holiday launches). For those of you concerned about the relevance of Salted Caramel, check out the Haagen Daaz ice cream selection next time you are in the grocery store...Salted Caramel is growing in popularity and is very on trend right now.

[SKCDL]

I have a question about Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Lattes.

According to the recipe card, we are still supposed to top it with cinnamon dolce sprinkles, which is a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.

However, according to the nutrition guide, it still only has 90 calories for a tall, which is what all of the other skinny lattes that don't come with a sugar topping are as well.

How can this be??

[chloe]

DARLEEN,

i want you to know that i miss you. i felt like i had a soul sister somewhere in this company who wanted to believe as much as i do.

like many others have said here, i feel afraid for my job every day i walk in the door. i wish i could just resign and move on, but without something to go to i fear for how i'm supposed to provide for my family. the kids won't exactly feed themselves!

i know you will have a soft spot for starbucks for a VERY long time. when i'm on the other side, i know i will, too. i'll probably still frequent here. but just know that you have made a good decision - the company is moving in a new direction, and for us older farts who want it to be like it was 5 years ago or more, it's just not going to be like that again. in some ways i think it'll be healthier to leave now than to watch it spiral to something different than i thought it was...

best to you, darleen. you have always been a bright spot to us here on this site.

[Darleen]

Hi Chloe,
No need to miss me, I'm still here looking in on everyone. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said so many people are afraid for their jobs. I saw it from day one of the announcement to close stores. Everyone was freaking out. There is no job security anymore and I don't know if that will ever change due to the economy. When I left I wasn't concerned because I have savings and a good cushion until I need to start worrying, however I miss my customers, and my team. They keep in touch but it still is hard to cut the cord you know? I'm getting better though everyday is a new adventure so I'm sure before long I will only look back on this time with fond memories and a smile. Thank you for being my soul sister, a girl can never have enough sisters. You are sweet Chloe and I hope this company will give you what you need to be successful.

[LEGENDARY OR BUST]

You know what I like about Starbucks? It's like you work at a theatre, and you go on stage at a certain time -- you prepare the night before (I do!) and then your time to shine is up! (from about 6:30am to 10:30am). This is when I (and others who work with me) feel like we are actors and put on a performance of a lifetime -- each and every day. I love what I do -- it makes me feel great about myself, about what we do, about our product, about people we serve. It is almost like how preachers, ushers, and the congregation feel on a Sunday morning -- except we do it daily.

[realtalk]

partners lets have some real talk: we get paid shit to serve rich people drinks all day and then clean up their shit at the end of the night (literally)! ...so, i wonder how much more shit we will get from customers with the new protein and fiber filled products... haha. oh joy!

[Melody]

Rich people? Where do you work that you serve rich people all day? That's not my Starbucks world. I work in an urban core and I see everything from office people (who are often not rich), to homeless, to working class, all cycling in and out of Starbucks. In the neighborhood Starbucks near my house, I see all walks of life going in and out of Starbucks.

Unless your Starbucks is situated in a particularly affluent area (Madison Park Starbucks in Seattle!) or you consider some very normal income "rich", you're off base.

let me clarify... people who are making more money then we are being paid. working class included! and by the way, i work in a city. my point is we get paid shit.

[G-Money]

You get paid shit? Gross.

[jamallahnjbux]

im am not excited about this i work in a sbux in the mall with a lot of tourist who dont even know how to arder wut they want this will take so much time our line is out the door on a daily basis things are only going to get worse

[robertkoulgh]

Honestly, would know about your opinion: is this web proxy working reliable or is all my data transferred to the Bush administration?

meckmeck proxy server.

Thanks and greetings from Benin,
Robert

[Cuctualianine]

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[BarbaraStanwycky]

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I have been having alot of coughing and my throat is very irriated. It doesn't feel like a sore throat it is just irreated.
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