Comments on: Why Starbucks Annoys Me

By: angie

angie — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Hahahahhahaa, this is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard! I mean, I know the world and media today are full of conspiracy theories, but seriously?? I think Starbucks could get a little more creative if they wanted people to not stick around. It’s just much harder to hear the music from behind the counter because there are no speakers back there, and music makes work go by faster for everyone, so the baristas crank it sometimes. All you have to do is ask for it to be turned down. Ask and you shall recieve, Om.

By: eva

eva — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:00:56 +0000

i agree the music is really loud. i meet with a study group there reguarly and i have found we cant get any studying done also we can’t hear each other talk. i have asked if they could turn it down, but it doesn’t help its still annoying especally if your by a speaker. also there speakers are outside too. i don’t know whats really going on. but i agree with that comment that said try an independent coffe house.

By: Jeff Matson (jmatson@macto.net)

Jeff Matson (jmatson@macto.net) — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:42:03 +0000

I just happened to fall across this blog and decided I would reply to it. I am a current barista at Starbucks and can tell you that my store at least does not increase music to drive people out. Our music in our store tends to stick around the mellow side and most people enjoy it. We keep it at good levels where you can hear it well but can still hear another person you may be speaking with. Starbucks is meant to be an enjoyable, relaxing place where you can enjoy quality coffee and teas and drift away from the world with a sense of zen. At least, that is how I see it.

By: tropicalfruition

tropicalfruition — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 03:36:08 +0000

T-Mobile’s “Enhanced WPA Network” Sucks!…

I’ve been a subscriber to the T-Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot internet service for over a year. I pay quite a lot to be able to work while I’m drinking my Americanos at Starbucks and while I’m traveling all over the West Coast. But I have to s…

By: Andre

Andre — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 01:07:30 +0000

I can honestly agree with you, I have to do work and sometimes I have to Starbucks to use the internet, but the HEAR Music thing is reaaaaally annoying honestly I don’t want to hear this s**t I just wanna drink coffee and work.

By: Paul Misner

Paul Misner — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 01:24:06 +0000

One only has to look at how Starbucks stores used to be designed and how they are designed to get what’s going on. Howard Schultz wants you to take that cup to go. The stores are getting away from ceiling tiles, which makes them louder, the number of chairs per new store is much less than the older stores. The “third place” thing is a facade, a failed concept as far as they are concerned, as a bunch of salespeople use the place for their all day office, and many of them don’t even have the common courtesy to buy a cup of joe. They aren’t producing revenue for the company, and they take up space. Much better to have a place that is so noisy that you drink your coffee and go. Go to the Starbucks in Dobbin’s Center in Columbia, MD, and you’ll see just what I’m talking about. An older store, it’s just rows and rows of unprofitable laptop users. Go down the street to the new Starbucks, and it is purposely as noisy as a Who concert. I’ve got a verizon wireless card, I don’t need to be around this crap. I can work in my car, or in a hotel lobby.

By: lolla

lolla — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 07:54:22 +0000

Plus for the price of ADSL today, alot of places especially STARBUCKS should offer free WIFI.. I mean it just takes an adsl connection and a NETGEAR wireless router and a monthly fee, which to a large company is just peanuts.. what a better way to attract clientel. But everyone is too greedy today and that is why alot of businesses are not doing so well.

By: lolla

lolla — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 07:51:49 +0000

What’s wrong with a smoke free environment or an area for people wanting to smoke. Starbucks has always been smoke free, you’re lucky if you find a starbucks that has a smoking area. Who cares anyways, people who don’t smoke have rights too. They’re just trying to make it comfortable for everyone. Some people really get sick by cigarettes and they shouldn’t have to feel horrible about this or intimidated by people who smoke, or comments such as if you don’t like it stay home. I believe in smoking areas, but I don’t believe in banning smoking from the premisis either. With proper ventilation systems both smokers and non-smokers can enjoy a nice meal or coffee out. I have a non-bias opinion on smoking or not smoking. What I hate is when people call people smokers or look rude at them. Areas are better not banning.

By: Lula

Lula — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 23:11:45 +0000

I'm a Starbucks licensed store GM. I agree: the music sucks, plays endlessly in quick loops, and I refuse to play it. My store is quiet; you can work all day, have a business meeting; we don't care. No we do--we want you to hang out. And we actually like our customers (except for a few that we have "special" names for). But my Starbucks is a rogue element. We hate the whole corporate Starbucks doublespeak, the cultlike corporate atmosphere, the endless control over anything that smacks of individuality. We wear jeans on Fridays. We stopped wearing the stupid hats. And we make the best drinks; some of which Starbucks has never even heard of.

To the workers:

You're not "partners," you're employees. "Partners" is a euphemism created to disempower you, like WalMart "associates" or Whole Foods "team members". There is nothing new under the sun; you're simply employees in a symbiotic and adversarial financial relationship with your employer. Find your worth and get what you can. Be free.

Peace Out

By: JanelBarista

JanelBarista — Fri, 05 May 2006 22:53:51 +0000

In my store i’m always willing to adjust the music for whoever asks. We’ll even adjust the lighting to make it easier for people to study. I’ve been in some independent coffee shops in my day and witnessed owners lowering lights and raising music to keep people from staying to long. (JavaMonkey ATL GA for one)Starbucks works hard to create a community environment for people to come and enjoy good coffee and good music just because they do it on a national level doesn’t make it wrong. If you want proof about what they do for the community look up information on their Corporate Social Responsibility program and about Fair Traid and Organic Blend coffees it might make you change your mind.

By: sarahbarista

sarahbarista — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 16:27:23 +0000

i’m a starbucks manager and i find it quite funny how you all choose to exert your energy into bitching on the internet about a topic so low in importance as volume level, when you could save yourself much stress by simply asking the baristas to turn it down. um duh?

By: Canadian Barista

Canadian Barista — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 05:49:41 +0000

I know that it's pretty much been done to death but I'll pipe in anyways, I myself am a barista like many others that have commented…

There is no directive from the company to have the music loud… in fact, many stores have a sitckers posted that they shouldn't go louder than because of past complaints… Plus what you hear when you're behind the counter is way different from what you hear sitting in the cafe.

Also not all of our music is even Hear Music… and most of the albums that the songs played are from aren't even in the store… it's just a bunch of "programs" on a Hard Drive based Music Player…

Oh and the loud music is completely antithetical to one of the more important concepts that Starbucks uses… and that is creating the Third Place experience… first place being home, 2nd being work or school… so Starbucks is then the 3rd most comfortable place for you where you can feel comfortable, valued and appreciated… So if you were to ever get trouble when asking a barista to turn down the music… just ask them how loud music helps to create the third place experience and if that doesn't work just remind them of our wonderful (though oft abused) Just Say Yes policy and Legendary Service Expectations.

By: bc

bc — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 21:22:58 +0000

WOW… Has anyone thought that maybe telling the manager in charge of the store?? I can assure you that Starbucks is involved in no conspiracy that involves weeding out the numbers in the cafe or making it difficult to work in the cafes … Some people will find something to complain about no matter what. What I really want to know is when did everyone decide that it was cool to be the angry not happy guy that doesnt ask for what he wants but complains loudly to everyone else that he couldnt get it??

By: tired barista

tired barista — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 02:30:11 +0000

jd – the coffee is 200 degrees. how much hotter can you drink it? and the milk based beverages can be made to any temperature you ask for. so find another reason to be cool and hate starbucks. that one isn’t cutting it.

By: tweaze

tweaze — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:59:12 +0000

As a Starbucks barista, I've never had a problem turning down the music if a customer asks. As stated above, behind the counter it's difficult to hear the music at all, let alone how loud it is with all the other noise from customers, espresso machines, blenders, etc.

As a person that frequents independant coffee shops, I'd say I've had to ask those baristas to turn the music just as often as customers ask us Starbucks baristas to do so.

By: JD

JD — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:08:13 +0000

the most annoying part of starbucks for me is that their brews aren’t hot enough. Being born and raised in India, I am used to hot coffee and tea. When I mean’t hot, it’s piping hot.. so that you can enjoy the flavor slowly n smoothly. Starbucks brews = elegant waste of money. As for enjoying it? ha! no wonder i rarely go to StarMoneySuckingBucks. Enjoy!