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Friday, March 14, 2008

Starbucked

I just finished a fascinating book about a fascinating subject: Starbucks. I've long been enthralled with the cultural obsession with Starbucks. Those white-and-green cups have changed our society, and I wanted to know how.

Mind you, I'm not a coffee drinker. I don't like the stuff, I don't want the dependence on caffeine and I don't want to spend the money. But I worked downtown Portland for nine years with a Starbucks just a block away in two different directions. Most of my coworkers went there daily - many two or three times a day! I occasionally tagged along to be social and found myself in a huge line with all kinds of people craving their Starbucks. Honestly, I don't even know how to order a drink. If I ever went to pick something up for someone, I had to write it down just as they said it so I could get the lingo right. If I ever got myself a hot chocolate, I'd fumble through the order (probably doing it all wrong) and then be embarrassed because I wasn't part of the Starbucks culture (by the way, I don't like their hot chocolate - too bitter!). And when I walked around the corner to my building, I was torn between feeling proud and trendy with my white-and-green paper cup and feeling dirty and trendy with my wasteful "treat".

I digress.... I just got around to reading "Starbucked: A Double Tall Tale of Caffeine, Commerce, and Culture", written by Portlander Taylor Clark. The incredibly quick read covered a multitude of subjects, including the company's beginning, the history of coffee, the truth about Fair Trade coffee and the international market. It also had some Portland references - always a fun bonus! I could not put it down.

I found myself loving Starbucks and then hating Starbucks, admiring Starbucks and loathing Starbucks. Overall, I'm still fascinated with the phenomenon. I have to admit that the people in charge are geniuses. But so were the inventors of the atom bomb. Hmmmm.

If you've ever had a Starbucks drink, passed a Starbucks shop, seen a Starbucks cup in someone's hand, read this book (I'll loan you my copy if you want!). I'd love to hear your thoughts.

-Liz :)

2 comments:

  1. Me! Me! I'll take your book:) In fact, you could bring it to my house and we could talk about it over, um, tea.

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  2. You're on! I'll loan you my book and we can discuss (just like our old book-club days).

    You make the tea and I'll bring the snacks :)

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