Comments on: Australia says “get knotted” to Starbucks. http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/ A cautionary tale in development Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:07:16 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Bangkok se-date « Epicurienne http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-2153 Bangkok se-date « Epicurienne Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:09:24 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-2153 [...] we entered the cool lobby which was disappointingly devoid of interest, apart from the presence of Razzbuffnik’s favourite global coffee house: Starbuck’s. Is it possible to find a city that [...] [...] we entered the cool lobby which was disappointingly devoid of interest, apart from the presence of Razzbuffnik’s favourite global coffee house: Starbuck’s. Is it possible to find a city that [...]

]]> By: Mike Stasse http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1790 Mike Stasse Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:07:06 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1790 In my experience, coffee in America sucks...... I make my own espresso with one of those funky octagonal Italian espresso caffetiere and I've discovered Aldi's Organic Fair Trade coffee recently. It's even cheap! Good strong coffee should be smooth. Just because it's strong doesn't mean it has to suck your brains down into your guts when you drink it. It needs to be made at 94 degrees C, and those clever Italian thingies do it spot on. Oh and a dash of cream goes down really well, a la Francaise! In my experience, coffee in America sucks……

I make my own espresso with one of those funky octagonal Italian espresso caffetiere and I’ve discovered Aldi’s Organic Fair Trade coffee recently. It’s even cheap!

Good strong coffee should be smooth. Just because it’s strong doesn’t mean it has to suck your brains down into your guts when you drink it. It needs to be made at 94 degrees C, and those clever Italian thingies do it spot on. Oh and a dash of cream goes down really well, a la Francaise!

]]> By: razzbuffnik http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1739 razzbuffnik Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:06:19 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1739 Cashmere I think the reason why some people like Starbuck is that they don't know any better. In North America I think that many fast food outlets have bright uncomfortable lighting to ensure that people eat and go quickly to ensure a high turn over. I guess Starbucks has identified that people want a place to hang out and chat in pleasant surroundings. This of course is all old news to people who've been exposed to a real coffee culture for generations like the old Italian men who sit in coffee shops all day. With a bit of luck, my wife and I will be travelling through your country next year and I'll (my wife hates coffee) get to try some coffee the Slovenian way. I'm crossing my fingers that it's not like Greek coffee! Grass There has been a trend here in Australia to make coffee shops more comfortable places to hang out in, plus they serve real properly roasted coffee and I think that's why Starbucks is struggling here. I think you're right about the normal filter coffee one gets served in restaurants over in the US. It's not hard to improve on and I think that adds to the point I made before, when I said that Starbucks can only exist in places that don't have a well established and sophisticated coffee culture. Cashmere

I think the reason why some people like Starbuck is that they don’t know any better. In North America I think that many fast food outlets have bright uncomfortable lighting to ensure that people eat and go quickly to ensure a high turn over. I guess Starbucks has identified that people want a place to hang out and chat in pleasant surroundings. This of course is all old news to people who’ve been exposed to a real coffee culture for generations like the old Italian men who sit in coffee shops all day.

With a bit of luck, my wife and I will be travelling through your country next year and I’ll (my wife hates coffee) get to try some coffee the Slovenian way. I’m crossing my fingers that it’s not like Greek coffee!

Grass

There has been a trend here in Australia to make coffee shops more comfortable places to hang out in, plus they serve real properly roasted coffee and I think that’s why Starbucks is struggling here.

I think you’re right about the normal filter coffee one gets served in restaurants over in the US. It’s not hard to improve on and I think that adds to the point I made before, when I said that Starbucks can only exist in places that don’t have a well established and sophisticated coffee culture.

]]> By: grasswire http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1737 grasswire Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:50:17 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1737 Another great post Razz, am not sure what I like more, the post itself, the logo or the debate. I think I'll go for the last one. Anyway, I was always strong opponent of large corporations and chains but I must say that Starbucks is not at the top of my list (though am not a big fan either). Probably because there are none around here. That's why I connect it to traveling in the West, as another hip thingy that awaits me in the big cities. The one thing I admittedly like about Starbucks is that it is a place where I can sit back comfortably for a long long time without feeling bad or getting dirty looks from waiters. It is always nicer to find a local joint but sometimes I feel like I just want my half hour in one of those armchairs, and pay the entry ticket/cup. The coffee is not what I go there for, though you must admit it tends to be better than the warm brown water they normally serve in the States. I guess the biggest problem is that SB expanded worldwide, to the places where they know/knew what a good cup of coffee is. I'll definitely have a good one tomorrow morning. Another great post Razz, am not sure what I like more, the post itself, the logo or the debate. I think I’ll go for the last one.

Anyway, I was always strong opponent of large corporations and chains but I must say that Starbucks is not at the top of my list (though am not a big fan either). Probably because there are none around here.

That’s why I connect it to traveling in the West, as another hip thingy that awaits me in the big cities. The one thing I admittedly like about Starbucks is that it is a place where I can sit back comfortably for a long long time without feeling bad or getting dirty looks from waiters. It is always nicer to find a local joint but sometimes I feel like I just want my half hour in one of those armchairs, and pay the entry ticket/cup.

The coffee is not what I go there for, though you must admit it tends to be better than the warm brown water they normally serve in the States. I guess the biggest problem is that SB expanded worldwide, to the places where they know/knew what a good cup of coffee is. I’ll definitely have a good one tomorrow morning.

]]> By: cashmerecafe http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1736 cashmerecafe Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:17:46 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1736 What I hate is the 'anything goes' attitude, which you have described so well. Here in Slovenia I think we drink quite good coffe (on average). However there are places where the coffe is so terribly bad that you whish you could get Starbucks coffe instead ;) I am irritated by the fact that people will take (at least so it seams to me) anything that comes handy, regardless of the product. The other thing is that some places are just 'hip' and even if they served 'shit with sugar on it' there would still be crowd waiting for it. ;) I believe Starbucks is in many ways one of these - sure, there are people hanging there because they have that 'communitiy' feeling, but in my opinion, in most of the developed world there are many places and opportunities to 'enjoy your community'. What I hate is the ‘anything goes’ attitude, which you have described so well. Here in Slovenia I think we drink quite good coffe (on average). However there are places where the coffe is so terribly bad that you whish you could get Starbucks coffe instead ;) I am irritated by the fact that people will take (at least so it seams to me) anything that comes handy, regardless of the product.

The other thing is that some places are just ‘hip’ and even if they served ’shit with sugar on it’ there would still be crowd waiting for it. ;) I believe Starbucks is in many ways one of these – sure, there are people hanging there because they have that ‘communitiy’ feeling, but in my opinion, in most of the developed world there are many places and opportunities to ‘enjoy your community’.

]]> By: Pat Coakley http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1725 Pat Coakley Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:52:49 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1725 Hilarious: Slutguts, scumslops, starschmucks. I still don't want to make you angry, though. Even though the derision would be brilliant. Hilarious: Slutguts, scumslops, starschmucks.

I still don’t want to make you angry, though. Even though the derision would be brilliant.

]]> By: New York - A Grand Central Vacation « Epicurienne http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1723 New York - A Grand Central Vacation « Epicurienne Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:46:53 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1723 [...] will be pleased to hear that there are only two Starbucks in the entire mall, and there’s even a museum shop to keep trainspotters happy. Called The [...] [...] will be pleased to hear that there are only two Starbucks in the entire mall, and there’s even a museum shop to keep trainspotters happy. Called The [...]

]]> By: Epicurienne http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1722 Epicurienne Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:04:14 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1722 Slutguts? Scumslops? Starschmucks? This is brilliant. Giggling away here... Slutguts? Scumslops? Starschmucks? This is brilliant. Giggling away here…

]]> By: razzbuffnik http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1721 razzbuffnik Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:15:00 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1721 You've probably got no Starbucks in your area because there is aleady a good coffee culture in there. If the coffee shop in your area has any sense they'd set up wi-fi and pre-emt Slutguts from getting in. Go tell them Razz says they should get wi-fi so they can kick Scumslops in the goolies! You’ve probably got no Starbucks in your area because there is aleady a good coffee culture in there. If the coffee shop in your area has any sense they’d set up wi-fi and pre-emt Slutguts from getting in.

Go tell them Razz says they should get wi-fi so they can kick Scumslops in the goolies!

]]> By: Epicurienne http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1720 Epicurienne Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:57:56 +0000 http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/08/04/australia-says-get-knotted-to-starbucks/#comment-1720 I have to admit to liking Starbucks' mocha frappuccino but for real coffee I go elsewhere. The only way I can drink coffee is with a tiny bit of milk and really, really strong. I like my coffee so strong that my colleagues call it sludge and no matter how many extra shots they put in at Starbucks, it will never be strong enough. Their cappuccino makes me feel sick for some reason (way too milky, more like a latte with froth), and the London Starbucks pricing is ridiculous...It's too expensive for not-great coffee. Actually, scratch that. It's too expensive for coffee, full stop. BUT I do get the neighbourhood interaction thing. I used to go to my local Starbucks to write in the evenings. They let me write as long as I liked, never asked me to leave, even if I only had one cup of herbal. Now I've moved. There's (strangely) no Starbucks in our area, but our deli makes great coffee. I'm torn. AND I'm loving this debate. Bring it on, Razzman! I have to admit to liking Starbucks’ mocha frappuccino but for real coffee I go elsewhere. The only way I can drink coffee is with a tiny bit of milk and really, really strong. I like my coffee so strong that my colleagues call it sludge and no matter how many extra shots they put in at Starbucks, it will never be strong enough. Their cappuccino makes me feel sick for some reason (way too milky, more like a latte with froth), and the London Starbucks pricing is ridiculous…It’s too expensive for not-great coffee. Actually, scratch that. It’s too expensive for coffee, full stop.
BUT I do get the neighbourhood interaction thing. I used to go to my local Starbucks to write in the evenings. They let me write as long as I liked, never asked me to leave, even if I only had one cup of herbal. Now I’ve moved. There’s (strangely) no Starbucks in our area, but our deli makes great coffee.
I’m torn. AND I’m loving this debate. Bring it on, Razzman!

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