Arab Anger Triggers Boycott Of Starbucks And Pepsi

Independent (UK) ^ | 5-11-2002 | Andrew Gumbel

[blam]

Arab anger triggers boycott of Starbucks and Pepsi

By Andrew Gumbel
11 May 2002

Arab anger triggers boycott of Starbucks and Pepsi An informal boycott of American goods is gaining momentum in the Arab world, leading to a drastic drop-off in business for fast-food outlets, Starbucks coffee shops and basic groceries from Pepsi to Pampers.

Driven by anger at US support for Israel's military incursions into the West Bank, the boycott is taking on dimensions unseen since the Arab League embargo on companies trading with Israel trailed off in the early 1990s, according to a report in yesterday's New York Times.

The call is going out in mosques, on the street and over the internet, and lists are circulating in many countries to suggest alternatives to popular American brands. One list mistakenly says Domino's Pizza is non- American, presumably due to its Italian-sounding name.

Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a cleric with a show on the Qatari al-Jazeera television channel, has a banner on his website reading: "Boycott America, from Pepsi cans to Boeing." In Damascus, billboards show scenes of devastation in the Jenin refugee camp, with the slogan in Arabic and English: "Boycott American products: Don't be an accomplice."

One supermarket chain in Bahrain has already replaced about 1,000 US products on its shelves. In Tripoli, in northern Lebanon, a bomb exploded in an empty Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet on Thursday. Nobody was hurt.

Some of the anti-American ardour has been fuelled by rumours, such as the widely circulated but untrue tale that McDonald's is donating a percentage of the cost of every meal to Israel. A pro-Israeli speech by Starbucks' chief executive, Howard Schultz, led to a wave of anger at the coffee chain, although it is so popular in Arab capitals that custom has diminished only slightly.

However, there is only so much commercial harm even a complete boycott could do since US exports to the Arab world account for just 2.5 per cent of its trade revenue. Nevertheless, analysts cited by The New York Times said sales of fast food and other consumer items were down by 20-30 per cent.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Note to self: Pick up some Starbucks coffee and Pepsi."

Note to Bank of New York... Please increase my DRIP contribution by $50.00 a month to Pepsi!

[IronJack]

If it would put the Saudis out of business, I'd buy a mountain bike, even if it had to have training wheels.

[null and void]

For whatever it's worth, Islam is probably more insistent on personal cleanliness than any other religion I can think of.

At least on paper. Oh WAIT! they don't USE paper...

[Montfort]

I would be happy if they would just boycott all air flight within the US.

[mikeIII]

For whatever it's worth, Islam is probably more insistent on personal cleanliness than any other religion I can think of.

Yes, most other religions don't tell you which hand to hold your willee with when you go. They tend to deal with morality, tolerance and compassion.

[blam]

"Oh WAIT! they don't USE paper..."

Yup. I think that's why they have specifications on which hand to use when wiping their butt. (quaint, huh?)

[The Great Satan]

Arab anger triggers boycott of Starbucks and Pepsi An informal boycott of American goods is gaining momentum in the Arab world, leading to a drastic drop-off in business for fast-food outlets, Starbucks coffee shops and basic groceries from Pepsi to Pampers.

Oh no! The Arab Street has risen! John Pilger predicted this. I'm quaking in my boots. What could we have done to make them hate us so?

[M Kehoe]

I was boycotting Starbucks and Pepsi too!

"Was" is the operative word here.

5.56mm

[The Great Satan]

They forget to put in the standard bit about a massive increase in parents naming their newborn children "Scud" or "Nailbomb" or "Suicide."

[livius]

Right. "Arab anger" is going to bring Starbucks to its knees.

If these lousy two-bit Muslim dictatorships actually had functioning economies, including a middle class with purchasing power, this news might at least rate a nod.

Doing a reality check, however, I'd say "Arab anger" isn't worth the newsprint wasted on it.

[The Great Satan]

The Arab world must be more advanced than I think, if they can afford $3 for a cup of coffee.

[Ax]

It's come full circle. When we were stationed in Saudi Arabia twenty years ago, Coca Cola was on the Arab boycott list and for soft drinks (like you can by alcohol in a Jeddah Safeway)we were limited to Pepsi, Faygo (from Detroit, with labels in English on one side and Arabic on the other), and VIMTO, which MAY have been made in some Arab country, using, no doubt, Filipino or Sri Lankan laborers. And, BTW, I'm boycotting Starbucks; they should be shot for their prices.

[The Great Satan]

And, BTW, I'm boycotting Starbucks; they should be shot for their prices.

I think they're pretty good value for what they are, but since I got my new espresso machine, I'm cutting out the middle man. Works great!

[blam]

I've never even seen a Starbucks. (You know how it is with us hermits)

[M_TEN_FORTYFIVE]

I have often wondered:

1) How you can get all the poop off with smooth rocks?

2) What do you do with all the poop smeared rocks?

Perspiring Minds Want To Know!

.

M1045

[blam]

"I have often wondered:

1) How you can get all the poop off with smooth rocks?

2) What do you do with all the poop smeared rocks?

Perspiring Minds Want To Know!

Silly, they wipe with their bare hands.

[mathurine]

It is worth nothing at all. Dogs are always licking themselves.

[KingNo155]

LOL

[Fabozz]

"Boycott America, from Pepsi cans to Boeing."

Cool! You guys can start by boycotting Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

I hope that somebody can get hold of the boycott list and post it here -- so that we can PATRONIZE these companies!