Times must be tough!
One upon a time, if you waltzed into Starbucks for a piping hot cup of java, you'd be treated to a smile and professional service.
Today, a customer should count themselves lucky if they don't get insulted, particularly if they zip into the Starbucks location in WeHo (across from 24-Hour fitness).
For starters, the barristas there go to great lengths to find novel ways to keep homeless people away (and out of) the comfortable environs of their precious little cafe in gay gulch.
In fact, I was so shocked at the way they mistreated the less fortunate, that I penned a post on the issue a few months ago along with a consumer alert.
Post: 06/09
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/06/starbucksdown-on-homeless-nope-no.html
Obviously, management at Starbucks must have missed the searing critique, because not much as changed.
In fact, now the immature barristas at the leading (but slipping quickly) java outlet appear to have their sights on customers who pop into the outlet for a quick pick-me-up and pastry, too.
The staffers I am referring to are like a bunch of wide-eyed kids with their noses up against the window of the candy store anxious to get their grubby hands on the goodies in the window.
But, the spoils are just beyond their reach.
Tough ti**y!
So, they vent their anger on the privileged, to retaliate.
One gentleman - who drives a $300,000.00 Rolls Royce and is married to a well-known celebrity - is fodder for a bevy of cruel jokes they hurl his way (he, none the wiser).
The little green-eyed monsters tend to mistreat regulars, as well, simply because they are jealous of the objects of their disdain who drive up in fancy sportscars and the lastest fashion trends.
I witnessed one pathetic Asian employee (the short plump one, not the affected Queen) walk away from the cashier when he spied a customer strolling in his direction to the counter.
The snub was obvious; in fact, another employee was forced to step in awkwardly and try to smooth over the troubled waters.
What prompted this rude inappropriate conduct?
Pride, no doubt.
The dizzy barrista thinks he's too good to wait on some folks.
If that's the case, bozzo, take a hike!
Oh yes, the employees here are excited to pick up their paychecks each week, but when it comes to actually working for the cold-hard cash (i.e., waiting on people) - if they had their druthers - they'd let 'em eat cake.
One nutso staffer who works on the counter (well, sort of!) tends to plop herself down alongside a customer or two unannounced during the course of her shift on a regular basis, in a bold-faced effort (I expect) to fool herself into thinking she's not actually toiling away for a couple of bucks an hour.
Ouch!
Consequently, patrons are forced to wait patiently until the little Princess gets off her fat a** and shifts her slovenly bod into higher gear.
Even still, she's a dreary mess!
A lot of these kids stream into town from the boondocks somewhere seeking their fortune & fame.
Unfortunately, they are a bunch of losers with no talent; consequently, the Hollywood dream never pans out.
So, they take it out on the customers, who they envy!
Bottom line, Starbucks employees in WeHo will shun customers who expound views they disagree with, wear the wrong gym shorts, support social or political causes they don't hanker to, you name it..
Golly, I thought that when an individual worked for a company like Starbucks, they were reqiuired to leave all their personal "baggage" at the door and treat each customer equally (not discriminate unjustly at whim).
So, I called management at Starbucks, to verify their policy.
Right off-the-bat, a customer service rep assured me that they did not support the kind of inappropriate conduct I enlightened her about.
"All customers should be treated equally. You're right."
At this juncture, the pleasant spokesperson asssured me the District Manager would be having a few words with the employees in question with the specific aim of getting their priorities straight.
Turns out - that being a squealer - can be profitable!
She promised to mail me a couple of free coupons for beverages on the house!
I trust that she'll also remember to inform those spoiled brats that customers never tip lazy barristas who "give attitude".
After all, no one in their right mind should reward insulting behaviour, eh?
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