What Happened to Starbucks?

Actually, what in the world happened to Starbucks? They have these big red and white signs up pushing instant coffee. You try to buy a regular cup of coffee and they insist on you taking this stupid taste test. I waited and waited in line today, just wanting to buy a cup of coffee. Well, the only cashier was giving taste tests to everyone on front of me. Well, I had taken the taste test myself, earlier. And.... and.... I didn't like their instant coffee. Mean while the cashier was telling everyone that you can't tell the difference. Now, I don't know if I want to buy coffee from someone  who can't tell the difference between brewed coffee and instant coffee.

Well, it was finally my turn to buy my coffee and true to form, I was offered another taste test. I told her, "Tried it, didn't like it, got the T-shirt." No actual T-shirt is given for taking the taste test, but one should be given. To console me she gave me a coupon for a free tall coffee. 

Now, anyone who has read my blog knows that I have had nothing but good to say about Starbucks. They should have hired me as the advertising manager. I mean, two of the best things that have happened to America is Ibuprofin and Starbucks. But, whoah! Instant coffee is a step in the wrong direction. Makes me want to sell my Starbucks stock. And, geez, I hope they don't keep asking me to take that stupid taste test. I don't enjoy standing in line that long along with the people that have the swine flu. Let me get my coffee and get going.

How about this idea? Keep an urn full of fresh coffee, put a credit carder reader on the urn and a swipe of the credit card gets you a grande for the price of a tall. Put your own lid and jacket on and get going. I bet that is a line that would move, and..... be lucrative. Let the people who want all that sticky sweet stuff and the "why bother" stuff stand in line. 

I guess I won't sit by the phone waiting for them to call. But, hey, a good idea can work in anybody's shop. A Starbucks for your hand and an Ibuprofin for your head..... or..... anything else that is inflamed.

Right now I am enjoying my real, brewed, coffee. No cream, no sugar, no flavor, no artificial sweetener. It's just the way coffee was intended to be.