Today marked the start of my last week at starbucks. Ever. (I intentionally avoid the capitalisation of starbucks on account of the fact that
a) it already represents capitalisation to a great extent, and
b) it just doesn't deserve the kind of recognition that comes with a proper noun.)
One week from today, I will have finished working for starbucks forever, and will have moved out onto the road of real work, leaving behind the footpath of hourly paid jobs, and the park of flexible hours.
On a slightly less joyful note, something happened at work today that really upset/affected/moved me. We have a sign up at the moment that says something like: 'for every bag of African coffee purchased, starbucks will donate 75p to buying books and equipment in the Sidamo region of Southern Ethiopia'. This all seems reasonable enough, starbucks contributing to the education of children in one of the primary coffee farming regions in the world. But then this old guy comes in today, and points out the sign. He says 'I went to school in Sidamo. My family is from there. But I left 40 years ago because of the war. They're still fighting, and I've never been back.' He was smiling all the way through this, and all I could think was 'starbucks make so light of this sort of thing, and this guy has lost his whole childhood because of the stupidity of man over there. And here's all these people coming in and buying a bag of coffee for £4.50, and feeling better about themselves because they've contributed 75p to a place that they just assume has got it bad, without ever knowing HOW bad.' It sucks. And that's all I have to say about that.
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3 comments:
you have a point. those types of signs seem to be put up, in order to just ease everybody's consciences. the company's doing a good deed and so are customers etc. but the problem isn't close to being solved. i often think about whether globalized companys should they be socially responsible to... who the world? many think its not company's jobs to be but they have more money than governments do. i don't know its a tricky debate but it goes around in my head. maija
you have a point. those types of signs seem to be put up, in order to just ease everybody's consciences. the company's doing a good deed and so are customers etc. but the problem isn't close to being solved. i often think about whether globalized companys should they be socially responsible to... who the world? many think its not company's jobs to be but they have more money than governments do. i don't know its a tricky debate but it goes around in my head. maija
2 things happended as i read your most recent post. 1) i agreed, empathised and shook my head with you as i agree with the ignorance and pain in this world...which includes me...and i am glad you are causing others to contemplate with you on such matters...
2) i miss England like HECK! oh, to see the "pound" symbol for currency rather than the almightly $...how i long to be in a country full of rolling green hills and cobblestones...and Accessorize and Topshop!! It is calling me...yearning me to come back to it's heavenly shores!! ARG!
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