You would think that if there were anyplace in the known universe where Democrats could meet in relative peace and serenity, it would be at a Starbucks. This was probably exactly what was going through the mind of Campbell County Democratic Party Chariman Ken Mullikin, when two employees approached the group while he was speaking at abotu 6:00 p.m. on July 12th, and informed the group they would have to leave.
The employees explained to them that their regional managers said they couldn't have a political meeting or discussion there, according to one person in attendance, who replied that they had been given permission, had in fact had a previous meeting at the Starbucks, all to no avail.
"This could have been handled better", said Katie Henderson, president of the College Democrats at Northern Kentucky University. "It was humiliating."
Starbucks had not returned media requests for interviews, or responded to any questions forwarded to their regional offices. Yet, Ms. Henderson did say they receive phone calls from Starbucks Representatives, who apologized for the incident., that it was being looked into, and that it was blown out of proportion."
When I read that, I thought to myself, what a strange response to give to a customer complaint. It is all the more remarkable in that at the time in question, there were reportedly only four other customers in the store, while attendees of the meeting assert that they were not being disruptive.
"It really feels terrible to be discriminated against in such a public place," said Kenton County Chairwoman Kahy Groob, who said she as well later received an apology, along with an assurrance that the group would be welcme back.
Groob then went on to ominously suggest that the employees should be dealt with.
Not exactly the kind of sentiments I particularly care to hear from a representative of a party that prides itself on looking out for the workingman and "the little guy". After all, every indication is that these two employees merely thought they were following company policy, and probably were at that.
At the same time I can understand the reluctance of the senior management to alienate the political group. If I had a restaurant that only drew in typically four custmers on a weeknight at 6:00 p.m., the last thing I would want to do would be to start turning customers away. Even if they are talking politics.
I also have to wonder about the state of finances of the Northern Kentucky Democratic Party, that they have to meet in a Starbucks. There were only somewhere between fifteen to twenty of them. Haven't they ever heard of The Anchor Grill?
2 comments:
I can totally imagine being asked to leave by a scruffy, mumbling (and therefore almost impossible to understand), super-ego charged college student, the only kind of employee at my local starbucks... it would be humiliating, especially if you tried to explain to them and they smirked and said, "Sure dude, whatever. Look, you have to go."
The people who work at my local starbucks are POWERhungry...they would SO get off on that kind of thing. They take great pleasure in having long discussions with each other while ignoring the next customer in line, or making you repeat your order over and over (how hard is it to write down "Grande carmel frappuccino, extra carmel sauce", I ask? But maybe that's just my starbucks. Or maybe I'm just bitter because these kids have better health care benefits from working there than I do.
I'd go somewhere else if they could just make those damn frappuccinos.
I wouldn't let the motherfuckers get away with that if I were you. If someboddy can't treat you with respect, don't give them your business, you can survive without a frappuccino. Just think of the money you would save, and the other uses you can make with that money.
I'd write a letter to their corporate offices, to tell you the truth, then stay out of there for a while. Go back in about a month and see what happens. But don't just take that shit.
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