Room for Cream?
Why Do You Ask?
Salespeople and yes, even Starbucks clerks should always listen to their customers. I seem to be picking on the coffee houses these days, but that’s just where these things happen.
I asked a Starbucks clerk at Kahala Mall the other day for two cups of coffee, one small and one medium. He prompty asked me, “Room for cream?” I said, “Yes please.” Then when I removed the tops from the cups I found no room for cream and thus poured some of that high priced coffee into the rubbish. This happens all the time. Maybe they are being generous, in case all I want is a thimbal of cream, but I sense it is more a matter of asking the question perfuntorally and not listening to the answer.
No Choice
When I was in the Air Force, back in 19… Oh well a long time ago. We used to laugh at the chow hall cooks serving breakfast. They would scoop two eggs on to the spatula, then look you in the eyes and ask, “How do you want your eggs?” and then slip them onto your plate as they were, regardless of your answer. I’d like to think of Starbucks as a bit more evolved than that, but…
Evolution
Actually there is some evolution happening at Starbucks. I just read that starting next month, July 2010 they will have free wifi access at all stores. With that deal I won’t care about the cream room in my coffee cup. Good Move!
June 18th, 2010 at 11:15 am
You are right about the “room for cream” question.
I also found that a couple times when we’ve said “no” they leave room! That and I always ask for a couple pieces of ice which turns into more of an iced coffee,
I just want some ice to take the intense heat off.
In Naperville where I hole up in Starbuck’s every morning they area able to take advantage of the downtown wide free WIFI so customers can enjoy that and now they’ll have their own, I wonder if they’ll bother since they can access the city network.
June 18th, 2010 at 11:27 am
It’s not the cost of wifi that has kept them prom providing it. They just want you to get your coffee and move on. Their reason for providing wifi all of a sudden is not one of generosity, they just want/need to remain competitive with the others.