Starbucks: Turning bad handling of loiterers into a civil rights crisis

[IRuleMeParticipant]

SH3LLZ wrote:

IRuleMe wrote:

SH3LLZ wrote:

Dont focus on what they were wearing. Thats doesnt matter at all. Do you know what business they are in? No you dont. So dont assume every businessman wears a suit and tie. Especially not in this world of new media. Im a designer and I wear jeans and t shirts to work in offices in MANHATTAN. Im taken seriously for my skill and reputation. Not my choice of clothing.

I have had plenty of SMALL BUSINESS meetings at a local Starbucks in VERY casual clothing. I hate the place but some clients like to meet there, so i go. Starbucks EFFED UP. The police did NOT need to be called. So what they had not ordered, They were being patient and quiet not causing a disturbance.

Now, If a LONG TIME had passed and they were still sitting there or falling asleep, then the stores actions would be justified.

These men did nothing wrong. ITs ok to WAIT for a friend to arrive before ordering food or drink.

These men did NOTHING wrong.

So this place of business is required to provide you with free electricity and running water to conduct your affairs, in THEIR ESTABLISHMENT? That’s some weak ass bulls~~~ you’re trying to argue here. If that’s the case, let a bunch of random people come into your residence and take a s~~~, take a p~~~, use your bathroom, and then plop their asses on your couch to watch TV.

You want to wait for a friend, fine. Do it outside. You don’t have to RIGHT to wait in a PRIVATE establishment. Esp when you aren’t spending any money. They were asked to buy something or leave. They refused. They got arrested. The end. F~~~ them!

I agree with what you’re saying. I really do.. But what’s not mentioned is how much time had passed. Obviously people shouldn’t loiter. I hate that crap, but we’re police REALLY necessary?? Probably not. We’re they causing trouble? Probably not. It seems everyone overreacted in this case and now it getting blown out of proportion. Even people in the store were asking, “why are you arresting them? What did they do?”

So clearly other patrons were confused as to why this was happening.

I fully respect the rule of law.. But dammit I don’t want to live in a police state.

They were there for almost a half hour. Doing nothing but occupying space. It’s not like they sat down and 5 min later were in handcuffs. At what point do you draw the line? 30 min? 1hr? 2hrs? 5hrs?

They asked to use the bathroom. Staff observed them sitting there and not spending money. They were told “bathroom is for paying customers”. They refused to buy anything. When confronted by the manager, and asked to make a purchase or leave, they REFUSED. What part of that do you not understand. The minute you’re asked to LEAVE and REFUSE, then yes, you ARE causing trouble.

Even people in the store were asking, “why are you arresting them? What did they do?”

Is that supposed to mean something? Most people break the law and then ask WHY they’re getting in trouble for breaking the law. “Officer, why are you giving me a ticket for speeding?” So because a bunch of people are “surprised”, that’s supposed to be a valid argument?

[IGMOW (I Go My Own Way)Participant 2572]

IRuleMe wrote:

Starbucks did NOTHING WRONG. These entitled t~~~s were LOITERING. Go wait by the street corner if you’re waiting for someone. If you’re inside a place of BUSINESS and not spending money, then you don’t need to be there. That’s trespassing. The police REMOVED them because they had to RIGHT to remove them. All one of these asshats had to do was buy SOMETHING, ANYTHING. A f~~~ing pack of gum for f~~~’s sake. Next time, hold your meeting in a meeting room at a hotel!

When you are in business like Starbucks, it doesn’t matter what you do “right or wrong”. What matters is the financial impact of things. Yes, they have every right to say they can kick someone out, and do this. BUT, the end result is if what happened, then they end up making a mistake here. There is branding, image, etc…

WAY too much is given to who has a right to do what. This doesn’t matter if it costs you business. What a business needs to do is turn those who loiter into customers, in a smart way. This is hard for corporations to do, but it is their job. Their job is to sell. Someone walks into your store, you get them to pay, in a way that makes everyone feel good about it.

Rights has nothing to do with this at all.

"I am my own thang. Any questions?" - Davis S Pumpkins.

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