Starbucks...at war with McDonalds over menu items! Oatmeal never looked so tasty!

 Those with a keen eye probably noticed that two giants in the fast-food industry have been competing neck-in-neck for the almighty dollar in recent days.

The tactics each corporate entity has been engaged in to lure customers includes copy-catting menu items, for starters.

For example, when Starbucks sales started to slump, the trendy coffee-house introduced a "breakfast" sandwhich startling similar to the Egg McMuffin that McDonalds rolls out at the crack-of-dawn each day.

Seattle's "egg & sausage" upstart is tastier, though (because the ingredients are fresher and higher-quality).

But, breakie-lovers at Starbucks pay through the nose for the treat.

Meanwhile, over in Kroc territory, execs started scheming to find a successful way to snag a hefty share of the lucrative specialty java market.

Bingo!

Back at the "breast", McCafe brands started to fly across the counter faster than the pimply-faced overweight servers could rustle 'em up!

Ever-mindful of their client base (and likewise their penny-pinching habits) the brass wisely priced their java beverages a buck-or-so less than those on tap at Starbucks.

Then, shortly after Starbucks started to rake in the cash on "Oatmeal" sales (a nourishing breakfast meal offered up in a snazzy cup with a juggernaut of zesty nuts, chewy raisins, and delicious brown sugar on top) the Quaker dude's product mysteriously showed up on the shelves at McDonalds out-of-the-blue one day.

Imagine that!

Unfortunately - in contrast - the cereal that McDonalds serves up to its customers is usually stone cold and brimming with tasteless apple chips, rubbery raisins, and icky sweetener.

Eugh!

Starbucks is not offering any French Fries on the menu - well - not yet.

But, just betcha, a home-cooked style potato side-dish (like Grandma used to whip up in her kitchen at sunrise) would sell well alongside the breakfast sandwich.

Can't wait!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Starbucks...drops "tall" java from menu! Muzak's gotta go, too!

Starbucks insists that they dropped the "tall" size from their drive-thru menu because there was too much clutter.

In their heads, perhaps!

Frankly, my dears, it's all a gimmick to rustle up sales, if 'ya ask me!

The 16 oz Grande &  20 oz Venti are still in plain view.

Maybe the folks at headquarters in Seattle just figure that motorists need to slurp down larger quantities of java to get through the din of traffic each day?

Personally, I only order "tall", because being wired is not my cup of tea.

In fact, I usually order up a misto - with extra foam (I like moustaches that taste good, after all) - to soften the caffeinee blow a smidgen.

But, when you get right down to it, "tall" is actually "small" when you stand in next to the other two big sellers.

Or, so I thought, until today.

Did you know that Starbucks actually sells an 8 oz. cup of brew?

I wonder what they call it.

Mini-java, anyone?

Must be a state secret, or something, 'cause I don't believe I've ever caught hide-nor-tail of it 'til it got a splashy mention in the newspaper at the crack of dawn.

Ah, and that's the crux of it, really.

Publicity!

Starbucks is really crafty when it comes to revving up interest in product and sales.

Just pull a switcheroo to dredge up talk at the water cooler, now and then, eh?

On the heels of the java-talk, the leading coffee King also announced an expansion of at least 250 outlets.

Obviously, at Starbucks, the almighty bean is still King.

Now, if they would only tinker with that wimpy musak that filters through as background "noise" ad nauseam.

Is that some kind-of-wail of the Pacific Northwest kind?

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Starbucks...stuck-up bit**es don't help business! Paradise road barista bad news...

Well, when the news hit the fan this past week, cheers went up around the country.

No more contracts with AT & T, or need to secure a Wi-Fi provider, when slipping into Starbucks for a hot java and toasted bagel at the crack of dawn.

Uh-huh!

The head honchos at the Seattle-based "mover-and-shaker" in the coffee bean marketplace confirmed that - henceforth - Wi-Fi service would be provided "gratis".

Tongues wagged that Starbucks felt threatened - not only by McDonalds recent introduction of Starbuck's-style java delights to their McCafe menu - but their decision to provide free Internet access too (which prompted the change of policy).

In spite of their desperate bid to prevent their market share from shrinking, suits at Starbucks - as usual - failed to conduct a thorough assessment of the situation.

For example, what good is the lure of free Wi-Fi, if Baristas are rude and insulting to the customers?

Yup!

Service with a smile at Starbucks has gone by way of the dinosaur.

From my perch, it appears that the low-paid workers - who hold jobs that were once (but no longer) envied - are not unlike green-eyed monsters with their noses up against the candy-store window.

The goodies are within reach, but they can't get their grubby hands on 'em.

Without doubt, some of these low-lifes - with all the personality of a worm - are jealous of the upwardly mobile customers who patronize their establishment.

On occasion - because of it - they seize on opportunities to insult the clients.

For instance, at the Paradise & Flamingo Starbucks outlet in Las Vegas, one huffy Barista (with bad skin, an attitude to match, and about to turn 21 she boasts) is continually off-putting with her holier-than-thou attitude.

She treats patrons like they should be flattered by her presence!

One regular was in the midst of a small meditation - as he waited for the laptop to fire up - when the snarky gal strode by and barked out a command.

"No sleeping here!"

Huh?

The startled guest responded by noting that they were meditating for a moment (to get centered).

Without skipping-a-beat, she rudely shot back an insulting remark.

"Looked like sleeping to me," she spat at the guest in an acid tongue.

Honey, you don't know your a** from a hole in the ground to begin with!

Cold frigid bitches are a dime-a-dozen, by the way, so wise-up.

If you can't be polite and provide service in a prompt professional courteous manner, it's obviously time to move on to sweeing streets or cleaning out toilets.

From where I sit, it appears that even that lowly task may be beyond your capability.

Starbucks executives - wake up - and smell the coffee.

Rude, insulting, classless employees are running your business into the ground.

Free Wi-Fi and McMuffin-style breakfast snacks won't save you.

Image of Corporate Greed!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Starbucks...immature staff insult customers! Screwed priorities off-putting...

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?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Starbucks...immature barista chats about pooh & gossips that male java-drinkers pi** on toilet seat!

Prissy Miss @ Starbucks prefers Vatican flush treatments!

I swung the door wide-open and breezed into the aesthetically-pleasing Starbucks Cafe in WeHo (across from 24-hour fitness) when I immediately caught site of a Barista gossipping with a male patron.

Casually, I strolled up to the counter a dozen or so steps away, where I waited patiently for the dizzy broad to wrap up her acid-tongued put-downs targeted at clueless customers in her midst.

Just as the scatter-brained twenty-something gal approached me - she half-turned - and spied a male patron exit the women's restroom.

At this juncture, she uttered-up an unflattering quip about ignorant fellas inclined to take a whiz in the restroom reserved for "Women", as evidenced by a ubiquitous plaque on the door.

I was taken aback.

Over the years - it has been acceptable practice for guys who frequented the "gay-dominated" Starbucks - to relieve themselves in the one provided for those of the female persuasion in the event the "John" for the Dudes was occupied.

To add a bit of levity to the awkward moment, I laughingly asked her (and a male employee who had just sidled up next to her behind the counter) if she ever noticed that the water closet (no pun intended) for the ladies smelled a lot nicer.

I noted that one employee surmised it was due to the fact that perfumed women drifted in-and-out of the cramped space throughout the day - the end result being - that a waft or two of the expensive scents lingered on for a brief spat after the skirts long departed.

Without batting-an-eye or skipping a beat, she retorted:

"No, it's because we (females?) don't pee on the toilet or the tiles like men do."

Before I could offer up a defense, she rattled on with her distasteful diatribe.

"And, we don't pooh in public, either."

I was aghast!

Was she insinuating that customers actually took a squat outside of Starbucks and let fly with a turd or two on the busy traffic-filled WeHo streets just a hop-and-a-skip away?

"Who's been poohing in public," I quizzed.

Her retort was quick.

"One day I witnessed a guy go into the men's room with a newspaper in his hand and he didn't come out 'til about twenty minutes later," she huffed.

Before I could respond, she continued with her anal chat.

"We don't pooh in public."

Now, it suddenly dawned on me why she was getting her sanitary napkin in a flap.

When potty-mouth spat out the phrase - "poohing in public" - she was obviously inferring that women who flounce into a restroom at a Cafe or restaurant avoid plunking their precious tushes down on the toilet seat to take a dump.

Do they wait until they've crossed the thresh hold at home, before letting-her-rip on the throne?

If that's the case, why doesn't Starbucks just yank out the bowls in the shi**er, to economize?

Before the annoying Barista opened her yap again, I exited with a grin, then quickly sauntered over to the side counter for a bit of cream for my piping-hot tea.

Drats!

The pitcher was empty.

It suddenly dawned on me that if this bitch-on-wheels wasn't so hell-bent on kibitzing shamelessly with customers and intent on getting down on her knees to sniff the edge of the toilet seat for splashes of pee (with the ultimate aim of pointing an accusing finger at a suspect male patron) that she might (OMG) be capable of waiting on a customer promptly - in addition to - properly stocking the sidebars without difficulty or delay.

But - that would require a modicum of common sense, intelligence and professionalism - sadly lacking in this poor excuse for a sentient being.

Obviously, too much Starbucks java rots the brain!

Big Trouble in Little Tokyo

There is no escape starbucky!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Race...relations in LA LA Land! Telling it like it is...

'Ya know you're in Los Angeles if you spy African Americans chauffeuring city dwellers around on the Metro Bus line and delivering up the morning mail, Latinos manning service counters and drive-thru windows at fast-food take-outs, and Asian bakers rustling up doughnuts with sprinkles on 'em for rush-hour commuters to munch on during the hectic trek across town.

And, what about the white folks?

Well, they're sipping on hot java in comfy leather easy-chairs at Starbucks, complaining about it to anyone within earshot.

It's a rat race out here on the West Coast, alright!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Panera Bread...free coffee & samples Wednesday January 28th!

To celebrate the introduction of a couple of spanking new coffee blends, Panera Bread is inviting customers to sample a free cup of coffee throughout business hours at one of their many locations on Wednesday (January 28th).

Those who saunter in for a cup of java, may also snack - for free - on miniature samples of three new grilled breakfast sandwiches and mouth-watering strawberry parfaits.

Panera has outlets in Northridge, Studio City, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster.

See 'ya there!

http://www.julianayrs.com