"Starbucks, Shmarbucks"

Not sure how many people know that the Starbuck's name came from the venerable classic, "Moby Dick." I can still see Gregory Peck strapped to the white whale as it descends the ocean depths puttin' a hurtin' on the troubled Captain Ahab. Thar she blows, eh?

Hoots, from Hootsbuddy's place, left a comment regarding the coffee giant on last nite's foray. Starbucks is seen as this enlightened, progressive company offering health benefits to its workers, allah Hillary Clinton.

I worked at the Atlanta Airport, where was housed 8 Starbucks. When divvying-up potential candidates for the various stores, Starbucks was always allotted those applicants who were attractive and personable. The rest of the brands got the leftovers. Most of the S.B. team members were good at customer service, but there were some who were always complaining, lethargic, and had attitude.

Which is what you'll find in any organization. The S.B. team members at the airport made $8.00 an hour, while the rest of the "brands" made $7.00. If you were a server or bartender, you went home each night with a ton of money. One female bartender, an ex-stewardess, er, flight attendant from the now-defunct Eastern Airlines, used to clean-up. Literally and figuratively. I checked her out one nite and saw her pull out a wad totaling at least $400.00. No wonder she worked Mon-Thursday and drove to and fro from not quite the Alabama state line.

Servers regularly made a minimum of $200.00 a shift. The excellent ones far exceeded that measly total. It's a sad state of affairs when the manager makes less than the help. They come in, work their 8-10 hours and go home-not a worry in the world. While the aforementioned manager is multi-tasking while dealing with every passive-aggressive Tom, Dick, and Harry. Not to mention the p.a. guests and team members. And when he goes home to his abode, he takes his work with him.

All the bartenders and servers in the world are probably classified as "the working poor" by the U.S. government. Cos they don't claim all of their tips, reporting the minimum plus credit cards. The service industry prefers cash customers. Why? Duh! There's no records.

I have fantasized about procuring a server's job, but not sure how many double nickel male servers reside in today's workplace.

"How y'all doing? My name is v.c., and I'll be your server today. Our soup today is french onion, and today's special is fresh vietnam catfish caught off the banks of the Mekong Delta. Can I start you off with an appetizer or a potent potable?"

"It's admirable that the company hires senior citizens, v.c. But what are you gonna be when you grow up?"

Anyway, back to the jist of our tale. It amazes me that Starbucks made the top 25 in service. Maybe out on the west coast, the workers are happy and give great service. But I haven't seen it. So my original thesis stands: "Starbucks, Shmarbucks,"
which, coincidentally, is the title of today's foray.

Thar she blows, v.c.

P.S. Tonite's youtube foray!



P.S.S. Shades of the 60's-a drum solo.