Starbucks and 'Laissez Faire' (Starbucks considers term "Laissez Faire" Inappropriate)

Wall Street Journal ^ | April 7, 2008 | DAVID BOAZ

[PJ-Comix]

Laissez-faire. It's a policy that made Starbucks vastly successful. But don't try to put that phrase on a customized Starbucks Card.

The cards are supposed be personalized to reflect customers' tastes and uniqueness. They are available in a range of colors, often given as gifts and used by regular customers who prefer to prepay for their java.

[PJ-Comix]

My assistant and I tried to get the company to explain its policy. We started by trying to purchase a card with the phrase "Laissez Faire," and were rejected as my friend had been. We then asked a company spokesperson why. He suggested that it might be because "laissez-faire" is a foreign phrase. That seemed possible and a reasonable precaution.

So we tried another foreign phrase – "Si Se Puede," or "Yes we can." It's the United Farm Workers slogan, now adopted by Barack Obama's presidential campaign. That sailed right through. The senator's political campaign slogan was acceptable.

[fishtank]

,,,,, which is why I buy gas station coffee at one-third the price ,,,,,,,

[DuncanWaring]

... and I make my own at a tenth of the price.

[Windcatcher]

Just get Wawa coffee instead.

[fishtank]

Me too, but if I’m out of the house, it’s the gas station for me.

[Chode]

i would expect nothing less from that bunch of new age travelers...

[Finalapproach29er]

Corporate America is responsible for PC.

This is ridiculous.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

So we tried another foreign phrase – "Si Se Puede," or "Yes we can." [...] That sailed right through.

Huh. Starbucks, a hitherto unsuspected crawlspace for Juan McCain supporters. Who knew...?

[doc1019]

Buy one cup of Starbucks a month, re-use the cup in the ensuing weeks filled with your own home brewed coffee. You will get a better cup of coffee, cheaper and can still give the impression that you are a member of the elite. Win-win situation. ;-)

[DuncanWaring]

Fortunately, the company I keep is not impressed by Starbucks cups. ;-)

[doc1019]

LOL! You run with a great crowd. ;-)

[Political Junkie Too]

He suggested that it might be because "laissez-faire" is a foreign phrase.

So what does that make "Venti" and "Grande?"

-PJ

[LonePalm]

I just ordered one with "Molon Labe" on it.

Let's see if that gets through.

Update before posting. I got a "code 7, can not complete order" message. I called Starbucks and got a very pleasant and overly cheerful young lady. Evidently "code 7" just means high traffic on the website.

I'll try again tomorrow.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[PJ-Comix]

LOL! Good point!

[goodnesswins]

I want to know when you find out.....please. I have a liberal friend whose Daughter In Law is an attorney at Starbucks....although I doubt she’d have anything to do with THIS.....but, I need to be able to throw in her face the LACK OF FREE SPEECH at Starbucks