[_delirium]

I'm not sure relying on that will be a very effective strategy for companies in service industries. They need their labor to mostly be near where their customers are. It was effective with heavy manufacturing like automobiles, because you could move (or threaten to move) factories to right-to-work states, and supply the whole U.S from a small number of factories. But that model doesn't really apply to Starbucks.

[phpisthebest]

No, Automation will Apply to starbucks...

I do not shop at starbucks but if they ever open a fully automated one I might...

[giraffe_lady]

"What really makes me want to spend my money with a company is when they can guarantee that no worker benefits from it" ???

If this is not what you're trying to say please clarify?

[phpisthebest]

Well in stories like this I am reminded of the Viral Video of the Starbucks worker having a meltdown because they were asked to work gaaassssppp a 8hr shift, with only 5 other co-workers to help them........

I know the working conditions, and pay package offered by Starbucks, no one is suffering from systemic abuse there, they have more than enough benefits, and frankly their benefits priced Starbucks out for me, because I am not paying $7 for sugar water...

[giraffe_lady]

I have actually worked at starbucks and it's a far more difficult and degrading job, for far far less money, than the programming work I do now. I don't see what you gain by having contempt rather than solidarity for any workers.

[true_religion]

Coming to think of it Starbucks is a great example to argue over since so many people have been college baristas or at least have a coffee addiction to defend.

I have also worked at a Starbucks and I disagree.

I never felt degraded. Their shift scheduling was and probably still is crazy inconsistent by default which is the only problem with them. For me it wasn’t that bad since as a student I simultaneously had lots of time on my hands, while also needed flexibility to not be at work whenever something school related comes up.

This would have been a big deal, had I a family to feed or if I required a set amount of money instead of just extra income. Starbucks isn’t really employment, it’s more like a gig like working an Uber.

If you need a flexible gig, it’s great.

[phpisthebest]

The value of work is not tied to the physical effort involved in the work, this idea that if one "works harder" that means they should be paid more is naive and ignorant of modern society.

I have never contempt nor solidarity for any workers. I reject all forms of collectivism on principle and support forms of Voluntarism (philosophy), and Individualism.

I do have contempt of lazy, or entitled people that believe just because they were born they are entitled to things and should not have to work for food, housing, etc. That "necessities" should just be provided as if by magic.

[giraffe_lady]

Delightful, thanks.

[nvm0n2]

No it isn't. If it were actually more difficult and degrading then Starbucks workers would be paid more than programmers and/or Starbucks wouldn't exist.

Working in a Starbucks is extremely easy compared to programming. You may find you enjoy programming and many of us are lucky to enjoy work that is in fact quite difficult, but take 100 people at random off the street and you will find that 100 of them can work in Starbucks given a few days training, no problem. The only ones who will be able to do any programming after a few days training are the ones who were already programmers.

[mcphage]

> because I am not paying $7 for sugar water...

Judging by your comments upthread, you’ll be happy to pay $7 for sugar water, as long as that money stays out of the middle class. What, you though they’d lower prices when they automated?

[JuanPosadas]

No offense, I've had the misfortune of being inside several Starbucks in my life, yes an employee had a piercing or dyed hair or something, but you come across as the entitled person having a meltdown right now.

[satvikpendem]

I go to a store for their products, not because of or in spite of the workers, and I assume most people do as well, otherwise there wouldn't be the amount of people who shop at Walmart as there are.