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the eye
Joined: 29 Jan 2004
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 Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:28 pm Post subject: another reason why Starbucks Korea blows |
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Here is my vente latte: Choke on it, starbucks.
2 months ago: Peppermint Mocha season is here! yay!
Me: I''d like a short cappuccino with Peppermint Syrup please.
Cashier: Um. (she grimaces) Ah.....
Me: (pointing to the syrup) Peppermint syrup capuccino please. I'll pay the 500won for the syrup, no problem.
C: Uh. Sorry. Um.
Me: (look of resignation) Ok. capuccino with caramel, please.
C: To go?
2 months ago: different starbucks:
Me: Can I have a short cappuccino with peppermint sauce, please?
C: Yes. To go?
Me: Yes.
(Repeat above at various locations, 2 - 3 times a day, for 2 months)
Today:
Me: Hi. Short peppermint cappuccino, please.
C: Today, i will do that, but we can't do that in Korea.
Me: Why?
C: I'ts only for the Peppermint Mocha drink.
Me: But, your menu says syrup shots are 500won. I've been getting this for 2 months.
C: I know, but we can't do that in Korea.
Me: Ok, can I have a peppermint mocha, but please no mocha syrup.
C: (shock) Um, Ok.
Me: (suspicious look) Thanks. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Try "Star Bongs", they are better and cheaper, as well. We have one in Youn-in near the bus station. |
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the eye
Joined: 29 Jan 2004
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| as far as i'm concerned, starbucks employees are regular users already. |
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Doogie
Joined: 19 Jan 2006
Location: Hwaseong City
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:46 pm Post subject: |
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| The thing I don't understand about Starbucks in Korea is why they open so late. It seems that they never open before 9 o'clock. Back home they open in the wee hours of the morning (6 or 7) so they can make bags of money off the people going to work that need their caffeine fix. It surprises me as it's really un-Korean to not take advantage of an opportunity to make a lot of money. |
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the eye
Joined: 29 Jan 2004
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Doogie wrote: |
| The thing I don't understand about Starbucks in Korea is why they open so late. It seems that they never open before 9 o'clock. Back home they open in the wee hours of the morning (6 or 7) so they can make bags of money off the people going to work that need their caffeine fix. It surprises me as it's really un-Korean to not take advantage of an opportunity to make a lot of money. |
No shit!
That's reason number 29.
It must be the same marketting philosophy as Paris Baguette Korea. They make 3 loaves of whole wheat bread, and 30 white every morning.
Every night, the 3 loaves of whle wheat are sold out by the time i'm finished work.
But there are 20 white loaves unsold. |
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mack the knife
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: standing right behind you...
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:08 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| It must be the same marketting philosophy as Paris Baguette Korea. They make 3 loaves of whole wheat bread, and 30 white every morning. |
A. Men.
And it's not just Paris Baguette. They're all guilty. In fact, you're lucky. Our Paris Baguette and Tour le Jours (sp?) have exactly squat ready for sale at 9am. So, you have to buy your pastries and eat them the next day, even though a pastry has a half-life of deliciousness of exactly 5 minutes.
Oh well, that's why Canadians and Americans are fat as hippos whilst Korean women still look fantastic in miniskirts... |
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crazy_arcade
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:53 am Post subject: |
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| Doogie wrote: |
| The thing I don't understand about Starbucks in Korea is why they open so late. It seems that they never open before 9 o'clock. Back home they open in the wee hours of the morning (6 or 7) so they can make bags of money off the people going to work that need their caffeine fix. It surprises me as it's really un-Korean to not take advantage of an opportunity to make a lot of money. |
Koreans don't drink coffee in the morning. Hell, they don't even drink coffee. They drink very expensive hot sugar water with whipped cream.
It's a snack or a dessert to them...not a morning staple. Buy a french press, make your own coffee, and say F U starbucks. |
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Sod_em_and_begorrah
Joined: 20 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:46 am Post subject: |
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You shouldn't ever deviate from the menu here.
It confuses them too much-jebus, even asking for a Sprite instead of a Coke in Lottherrea will bring about a momentary look of panic. |
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Moldy Rutabaga
Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Location: Ansan, Korea
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:27 am Post subject: |
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When I go to Baskin Robbins, I used to ask for one of their mixes, but instead of the government approved flavors I always asked for mint chocolate chip and vanilla syrup, which results in a sort of poor man's blizzard.
I usually bat about 25%, and my wife told me she refuses to argue with them anymore for me. So I don't order anything there if I'm refused, which is, unfortunately, probably what they wished to happen anyway. Hub of Asia..
Ken:> |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:35 am Post subject: |
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That's one reason I never-ever eat any food that's not prepared by my self...other than my schools lunchtime cafeteria, subway (better than nothing) and restaurants that cater to way-gooks. All my dinners are painstakingly prepared by yours truly! Actually I enjoy it, gives me an excuse to tipple each and every evening! 
Last edited by spliff on Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Natalia
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:55 am Post subject: |
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| mack the knife wrote: |
| Quote: |
| It must be the same marketting philosophy as Paris Baguette Korea. They make 3 loaves of whole wheat bread, and 30 white every morning. |
A. Men.
And it's not just Paris Baguette. They're all guilty. In fact, you're lucky. Our Paris Baguette and Tour le Jours (sp?) have exactly squat ready for sale at 9am. So, you have to buy your pastries and eat them the next day, even though a pastry has a half-life of deliciousness of exactly 5 minutes.
Oh well, that's why Canadians and Americans are fat as hippos whilst Korean women still look fantastic in miniskirts... |
Congratulations.
Another poster has managed to turn a completely unrelated subject into a discussion of how disgusting all North American women - apparently - all are. I never tire of hearing it.
Well done. |
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animalbirdfish
Joined: 04 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:13 am Post subject: |
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| spliff wrote: |
| Try "Star Bongs", they are better and cheaper, as well. We have one in Youn-in near the bus station. |
Or better yet, Star Butts. Just ask for Peppermint, she'll take care of you. |
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princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:26 am Post subject: |
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| Natalia wrote: |
| mack the knife wrote: |
| Quote: |
| It must be the same marketting philosophy as Paris Baguette Korea. They make 3 loaves of whole wheat bread, and 30 white every morning. |
A. Men.
And it's not just Paris Baguette. They're all guilty. In fact, you're lucky. Our Paris Baguette and Tour le Jours (sp?) have exactly squat ready for sale at 9am. So, you have to buy your pastries and eat them the next day, even though a pastry has a half-life of deliciousness of exactly 5 minutes.
Oh well, that's why Canadians and Americans are fat as hippos whilst Korean women still look fantastic in miniskirts... |
Congratulations.
Another poster has managed to turn a completely unrelated subject into a discussion of how disgusting all North American women - apparently - all are. I never tire of hearing it.
Well done. |
Well put, Natalia. Actually I am wearing a mini with the trendy leggings right now...AND I'm not a cow at size 0-1. When are folks going to open their eyes and start seeing the fat Koreans? I see them all the time. Geez! |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:39 am Post subject: |
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Dude you gotta realize this is not a Starbucks only trend. Good grief. This kind of thing happens to me every time I go out drinking. Here's what I order, almost always:
Jack Daniels double shot on the rocks.
Here's what I get:
- two glasses with one shot on the rocks in each, or
- two glasses with ice and one shot of jack, or
- two shot glasses of jack, no glass of ice, or
- (the strangest yet) one glass with ice in it, one shot of jack, one empty shot glass
I order it in English, I order it in Korean. Hell, I've had my girlfriend, who is a native Korean speaker, order it for me and it still comes out wrong. Why? Because it's not what they normally sell, so it completely blows the bartender's mind.
In order to give credit where it's due, I will say that the only place, literally the only place, that's gotten it right has been Once in a Blue Moon, the Apgujeong jazz club.
At Starbucks, I usually order a red eye. This is a very common drink in the US. It's regular coffee with espresso added. Godamn you'd think I'd popped off my face to reveal that I'm actually a cyborg by the reactions these "baristas" give me. I have to explain very carefully, in Korean, exactly how to make this drink. And they are really nervous and unsure about it.
Just one of the humorous aspects of this interesting culture. |
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the eye
Joined: 29 Jan 2004
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:45 am Post subject: |
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Qinella,
The difference is that starbucks employees are trained, schooled, to produce a consistent service, and product across the globe. They are trained how to make variations in each particular drink as well.
But here, everyone seems to have their own interpretation of what they can and can't do.
BTW, f you're looking for a 'red eye', is called an 'AMERICANO' in korea. |
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