Comments on: Starbucks, Snobbery, and Church Vocabulary

By: Creative Loafing Atlanta » Omnivore Atlanta » Blog Archive » The psychology behind the ‘Starbucks experience’

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:56:56 +0000

[...] The company intentionally developed the annoying language (”grande Valencia latte”) for its products, both to add a sense of sophistication and to get consumers always “thinking” in Starbucks-ese, so that they will feel out of place at other coffeehouses. The company even publishes a 22-page booklet of the lingo to help customers “build confidence in beverage ordering.” (Photo of Jesus from SubversiveInfluence.com. Check out the post there that specifically reacts to Starbucks lingo and compares the coffeehouse to a church.) [...]

By: » Blog Archive » Starbuck, Snobbery, and Church Vocabulary

» Blog Archive » Starbuck, Snobbery, and Church Vocabulary — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 15:34:59 +0000

[...] http://www.subversiveinfluence.com/wordpress/?p=295 [...]

By: Gunny Hartman

Gunny Hartman — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 03:29:03 +0000

I for one would like to see Starbucks be more like our church … we don’t charge for a refill. You can come back Sunday night and we don’t pass the plate again.

Other than that … touche’

By: Echad Logos » Starbucks, Snobbery, and Church Vocabulary

Echad Logos » Starbucks, Snobbery, and Church Vocabulary — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 05:50:49 +0000

[...] Brother Maynard writes about Starbucks and the church at Subversive Influence: So hereâ€™s the thing. The established church doesnâ€™t need to serve Starbucks coffee to become more emerging-minded. The established church already is Starbucks. Iâ€™ve finally figured this out, and in so doing, I now know how unchurched people feel when they walk into an established evangelical church hoping for some sustenance. The menu is printed in a foreign language, the people say things they canâ€™t understand, they end up parting with more money than they were ready for, and they second-guess the whole experience. If they stick it out, the end result is worthwhile, but the whole thing feels pretty foreign until theyâ€™ve managed to sample the entire menu, figure out the lingo, and find a comfortable place to sit and converse relationally with someone. By this time theyâ€™ll be encountering the snobbish types who tell them that noplace else in town is as good. [...]

By: Starbucks, Snobbery, and Church Vocabulary « Echad Logos

Starbucks, Snobbery, and Church Vocabulary « Echad Logos — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 04:27:01 +0000

By: robbymac

robbymac — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 16:14:38 +0000

Ah, yes, and now that I too work for Starbucks, I have to — tongue firmly planted in cheek — point out that Seattle’s Best Coffee is owned by Starbucks.

By: casey

casey — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 16:18:07 +0000

Bro Maynard,
I have been currently working for St.Arbuck’s for two years. Fabulaous company, Great People. I would have to say, that is my ten years in management and other roles in the marketplace, (all in customer service/retail, Starbuck’s is the best company I have worked with so far. The “branding” and marketing practices are exceptional! I recently was challenged by Len over at nextreformation.com to write an article on branding, church/christian/denominational etc. I am cutrently doing that. It has been a privledge to work at such an outstanding store. Gods blessing is truely on Howard Shultz, his jewish roots and beliefs flow freely into his whole life and business!
Thanks for the post here…made me think and encouraged me! LOL

By: mars-hill

mars-hill — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:22:02 +0000

Perhaps instead of expressing church we should be focussed on espressing church.

By: Brother Maynard

Brother Maynard — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 06:01:55 +0000

Chris — positive inspiration for the church can of course be drawn from Starbuck's... I discovered today that this has been done by Russ Noland, which may be of interest.

By: Brother Maynard

Brother Maynard — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 22:24:30 +0000

Richard, this is a puzzle, but I'll offer what limited insight I can. For the record, I'm not the purist that the average English bloke is, but still, I gotta love that bergamot juice. As to how to express church, this is a tricky question. In the context of tea, I would imagine you'd need to do something contemplative, reflective, and communal. This will add the deepest of significance to the shared pot and the aroma of the tea leaves as they steep. Teach on or discuss the subject of patiently waiting before the Master. You might also be better able to talk about sharing with the poor, since the Starbucks snobs blew all their cash on take-away Latte at the drive-through. Regarding beer on the weekend, I suggest you pace yourself throughout the week so you won't have to go four or five days without. Gratia vobis et pax,