So, It seems I'm going to be working for Starbucks...

[Caribou]

Their 4th store in The Netherlands will be opening near where I live, so I decided to work there in stead of in Rotterdam (which is 50 minutes by bus and train).
But I had no idea it would take so much work before I could even get started. I have to follow 3 weeks of intensive training, which means I'll have to learn all about coffee 'n stuff everyday from 17:00 to 23:30.
Seriously, I never thought that when I visited a starbucks before that the simpletons behind the counter had to go through such a thing.

This means I will get even less studying done than before, which was already difficult to plan in. Oh well, it's only 3 weeks and after that I can officially call myself a Barista, but still...

[Adam]

Wait, there is only 4 starbuck stores in Netherlands? Man, you lucky people.

Starbucks sucks the life out of everything around it, people need coffee yes but when I can walk down any street in the city centre and within 100 metres I've passed half a dozen stores, its time to start thinning the herd.

Good luck in your new job (y)

[nodanaonlyzuul]

that's cool that it's closer to home at least. I'm sure once the three weeks is over you'll have more time.

And this is a perfect excuse for me to post about how I got the Peppermint Mocha today (which is so good and SO ADDICTING, holy lord). I love it. And even though I said no whip they still threw in the little baby chocolate sprinkles in to my coffee and it made me so happy and giddy and I feel like I'm 5 I'm so happy. :o:o:o

[Waus]

I think they have decent benefits, but it seems really tiring from the people I know who've worked there.

[Caribou]

Wait, there is only 4 starbuck stores in Netherlands? Man, you lucky people.


3 atm. The first was opened last year at Schiphol, the 2nd was in august in Utrecht en 2 weeks ago the one in Amsterdam was opened.
But all the shops are at trainstations and now are owned by my old boss, so I will make the same amount of money and get bonuses, because I've been working for them for 5 years already. Oh, and my mum works for the same company and all the managers know and love her, so that might come in handy. Actually, it's how I got the job in the first place. :o

And I can imagine it being tiring, because I've seen the queues at Utrecht CS... dayum. That's what you get when there are so few stores in a country...
But I'm used to working in a busy shop and 8 hour shifts of standing on my feet and running around arn't new to me either, so I think I'll be fine. Well, I hope. *fingers crossed*

[TAL]

There's no Starbucks over here.

[yeahwho]

If I'm in the Netherlands and I'm thinking "Coffee Shop" Starbucks is sort of the antithesis of an actual coffee shop isn't it?

Do they have the hash or what?

[Caribou]

If I'm in the Netherlands and I'm thinking "Coffee Shop" Starbucks is sort of the antithesis of an actual coffee shop isn't it?

Do they have the hash or what?

If you let me know when you're coming by, I'll bring you some. :)

[yeahwho]

Hey that would be great, I'll be there by 2012. I work with a guy who was a manager of a starbucks here in Seattle until last year. His girlfriend took over his spot and still manages the store in Downtown Seattle. He told me about the training that you're going through... he did the same thing.

I've been roasting my own coffee for the past few years and it's fantastic. Here is the company I buy my beans from and their website, it is one of the most comprehensive sites on coffee here on earth.

Sweet Marias (http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.greencoffee.mvc.php), this guy is obsessed.

Good Luck!

[Audio.]

Starbuck's drink spoils my stomach. Dont know if its the same with any of you fellas?

[yeahwho]

I hardly ever drink the Starbucks, only if I'm on the road or out of town. Usually I get a quad shot Americano, it's just fine. I think a steady diet would eventually rot gut me though, it's pretty much burnt coffee.

Full City+ (http://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting-VisualGuideV2.php)is where I like to roast quality beans, then serve it within a few weeks of freshly roasting it. Starbucks usually delves into the french roast state and beyond.
Starbucks can't really compete with smaller farms and lots of coffee without making the price is crazy high. I can do it at home for under $6 a lb. while drinking coffee that absolutely blows away any store bought cup.

[monkey]

i had a serious peppermint mocha addiction last winter, followed by a iced caramel machiato addiction this summer. now, it's all about the venti awake tea, twice a day. plus the protein plate or the kids snack pack... perfect.

the reason why i spend so much time at starbucks - it's basically the cheapest healthy(esque) place near my work, and there are at least 4 places within 2 blocks. it's always convenient.

[yeahwho]

I've accepted Starbucks as cool. I like the people who work there. It's all about the vibe and they really seem to put out a good vibe.

Just keep that CEO Howard Schultz away from buying up Basketball teams, he sold our Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma.

[ms.peachy]

There are so many Starbucks in Shanghai it's unreal. I suspect though they are outnumbered by KFCs.

[sercomdj01]

Starbucks always look so.... dirty inside. I think anyway! They are basically macdonalds with coffee. It tastes so nice though :(

[yeahwho]

Quickie a Seattle (http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/74333472.html)punk band just put out a Bikini Barista (https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&send_id=774951574&email=b264c9dc68fba2ae2600cbf1b0754736) song that is currently free, for a few days.

It's all the Rage in Seattle (http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/73653462.html).

[NicRN77]

Starbucks has infested Boston...but we still love our Dunkins more.

[TAL]

I've never had a cup of coffee.

[Caribou]

Starbucks always look so.... dirty inside. I think anyway! They are basically macdonalds with coffee. It tastes so nice though :(

Howdy stranger. The starbucks' I've seen over here all looked pretty clean to me, but you're right to say they're just the McDonalds of Coffee. It's all unhealthy crap, really.

I've never had a cup of coffee.

Ever? Dude, you haven't lived! :eek:

[TAL]

Ever? Dude, you haven't lived! :eek:

Yes I have, and still do.

[Documad]

I am a big Starbucks fan. It's easy to criticize but some of their local stores are open from 5 am till midnight and they have comfy chairs and lots of outlets. I've written more papers in their stores than I can count. My kitchen is full of their mugs and tumblers. They have a knack for selling stuff I want to buy.

Yeah, I make a better lattes at home, but when I'm out and about it's a good alternative.

[jabumbo]

at my current work location, i have 5 coffee shops right next to me. the starbucks is one that i've never gone into. i just don't really enjoy their stuff.


i prefer dunkin donuts when it comes to chain type places. but we have this local place that roasts its own beans and has the best brew in town. plus, they have the best looking baristas on top of it, so it makes it even better

[yeahwho]

I am a big Starbucks fan. It's easy to criticize but some of their local stores are open from 5 am till midnight and they have comfy chairs and lots of outlets. I've written more papers in their stores than I can count. My kitchen is full of their mugs and tumblers. They have a knack for selling stuff I want to buy.

Yeah, I make a better lattes at home, but when I'm out and about it's a good alternative.

First of all, you steal my Ben Folds seats....

You're starting to spook me out here, I never hang out at Starbucks (don't think I've even ever sat down in one) but I do also really like their mugs, I drink my coffee everyday out of one of three coffee mugs I purchased from Starbucks. They're just perfect.

On another note altogether which is even more bizarre about myself when I used to junk @ second hand stores up and down the I-5 corridor I had 4 categories of items to look for: T-Shirts, Vinyl, Pulp Fiction and Coffee Mugs. hence I have around 100+ (narrowed down out of quite a few hundred) vintage coffee mugs. All of them are pretty animated and uniquely different.

Yet I always drink coffee out of my Starbucks mugs.

[b-grrrlie]

Starbucks couldn't put their foot in here, there's too many coffee chains as it is.

[Adam]

Starbucks couldn't put their foot in here, there's too many coffee chains as it is.

You'd think that but be careful - you wanna to stop anymore trying to open.

You see, when a tourist comes over they'll see the Starbucks before the local coffee shop and because they already know it they'll totally ignore what the local area has to offer. Never go out of your comfort zone with a Starbucks. The 4 that will be open will soon require a 5th, 6th, 7th until every other shop is a Starbucks and local people have discount cards etc and they'll start to ignore local businesses as well.

Its how any multi-national takes over. Like your local shop, only will take a small tesco to open and it'll be out of business within a year. We all really need to do more to stop the opening of chains where there already is a fulfillment of those services in that area. They have the resources to destroy the competition and they'll use them under the banner of trying to make it convenient for local people while they pay their taxes in some haven to avoid actually contributing anything towards the area or even the country.

I try to avoid chains as much as possible but I do still go to them as its almost impossible to not, we gotta take the power back tho. An independent shop is unique, a chain isn't. You get more shop floor space with large chains while taking away more choice as big brands dilute the choice until they are gone.

But that capitalism and works to a certain point (lb)

[TAL]

Starbucks couldn't put their foot in here, there's too many coffee chains as it is.

http://www.arlanda.se/en/Information--services-to/Traveller-information/News/Swedens-first-Starbucks-at-Stockholm-Arlanda/

[yeahwho]

They have proliferated so much in Seattle they decided to change the name of some of their stores.

15th Ave. Coffee & Tea (http://www.streetlevelcoffee.com/)


article; The UnStarbucks (http://www.seattlepi.com/local/408407_starbucks24.html)

Coffee shop imitating a coffee shop presented by a huge conglomerate just to make you feel sort of kind of hip but not really. "Cause it's back by 740.20 million shares of stock traded on the nasdaq.

[miss soul fire]

Awesome!!! Congratulations!!!:)

I'm not into coffee though. Hihihihi!:D
Although I drink it everyday, but only at work and because there's no juice, damnit!!:mad:

[Documad]

On another note altogether which is even more bizarre about myself when I used to junk @ second hand stores up and down the I-5 corridor I had 4 categories of items to look for: T-Shirts, Vinyl, Pulp Fiction and Coffee Mugs. hence I have around 100+ (narrowed down out of quite a few hundred) vintage coffee mugs. All of them are pretty animated and uniquely different.

Yet I always drink coffee out of my Starbucks mugs.
I keep mugs for sentimental reasons -- ones that my mom gave me or ones my dad used to use. I never use them. But Starbucks has a knack for making ones that are just the right size and feel good in my hand. Plus they only cost about $6 so I can pick one up on a whim if I want a spring-themed one for a change.

Right now, they have the holiday tumblers (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Starbucks-Holiday-Venti-20oz-tumbler-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ180438437455QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a02f80e4f#ht_998wt_114 5) for iced lattes. The link is to an ebay sale because Starbucks doesn't seem to sell them on its website. The venti ones are too big but the grande ones are perfect. If you find them at the store they're $12.99. If I make an iced latte they keep the drink cold enough that I still have ice cubes in there an hour later. Magic. They're available in stores for a limited time only and my friends scooped some up for me. I'm obsessed.

The Ben Folds thing was freaky. Just dumb luck. I usually plan better. I already have my U2 ticket. :p

[Caribou]

You'd think that but be careful - you wanna to stop anymore trying to open.

You see, when a tourist comes over they'll see the Starbucks before the local coffee shop and because they already know it they'll totally ignore what the local area has to offer. Never go out of your comfort zone with a Starbucks. The 4 that will be open will soon require a 5th, 6th, 7th until every other shop is a Starbucks and local people have discount cards etc and they'll start to ignore local businesses as well.



I don't see this happening in the Netherlands. First of all the shops will only be located at trainstations, so they won't take over the coffee shops that already exist. Second of all, the Dutch are very fond of their coffee and not very fond of change. Most of us are hooked on Douwe Egberts coffee and all the dutch people I know who went to a starbucks when they were abroad, agreed that their regular coffee really isn't that great. They make great 'specials' which people will get occasionally as a treat, but for a cup of black coffee people will keep going to their regular coffee places.

Anyhoo, about the whole job thing: communication doesn't seem to be their strongest point. My boss phoned up in shock as noone had told him I'd leave and the starbucks dude mailed him and said I would be no longer working for the Sandwich place starting this monday. That was not what we had agreed.
I emailed the guy, but got no reply, and according to my boss he said something like 'if she doesn't start now she'll have to wait untill february'. Which would be fine with me, actually, I'd prefer it, but noone seems to tell me anything about it. Now I'm not sure if I should go to the training on tuesday or if I should wait until february. And 5 days later I still didn't get a reply from the starbucks guy. Jeez.

[Adam]

I bet if you turned up you'd have a job. Sounds like no1 knows what they are doing so as long as you check you'll get paid - you could probably start straight away. If you want that is (y)

Its also good to know dutch have good enough sense to not let starbucks take over (y)

[Caribou]

I bet if you turned up you'd have a job. Sounds like no1 knows what they are doing so as long as you check you'll get paid - you could probably start straight away. If you want that is (y)


Sure I'd have a job if I turned up, but I can't just leave the old place just like that. I need at least another month.
The stupid thing is that both the shops are part of the same company (which runs all shops in dutch trainstations) so they should be working together, but the starbucks guy doesn't really seem to understand the company rules AND hasn't been listening to me. Which is quite annoying.
But anyway, the point is not having the job or not - because I'm absolutely sure I have it - but not knowing when to start.

[yeahwho]

The Ben Folds thing was freaky. Just dumb luck. I usually plan better. I already have my U2 ticket. :p

I'll talk more about U2 after Christmas, I was inundated with "I know what you're getting for Christmas" talk over Thanksgiving. At the time it didn't dawn on me (because I never asked for anything) but now I'm pretty certain because my brother and sister both scored really good seats for that show. Did the math.

Anyway I'm not a huge U2 fan but I'm still puzzled as to why that film U23D (http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/movies/23band.html) did not get more recognition. Completely amazing. It is a testament to Quality in cinematography and sound.