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Americano To Go (Away from Forbidden City)
Following up on Neil's post, the Starbucks in Forbidden City is in fact, closing. The Chinese have gathered 500,000 signatures that caused the management to shut it down.
Is that good or bad news?
Tim Footman of The Guardian expresses a concern in his column today that "in a global market of implied cultural signifiers, absolutely any product - even a cup of mediocre coffee - seems to have the potential to challenge socialism with Chinese characteristics."
He points out what we all know: it is not coffee that Starbucks sells. They sell "a lifestyle, a feeling, a brand, a corporate reimagining of bohemian leisure." Although the Chinese are perfectly willing to sell the fancy coffee, they refuse to sell the name and lifestyle. It was either changing the name or closing shop.
If you change the name, you end up with mediocre coffee. Closing shop, I guess, made perfect sense.
Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Food and Drink, Asia, China
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
kay Jul 21st 2007 8:17PM
I dont like starbucks anyway, i much prefer barnies!!Starbucks is getting way too big and im not sure why? Maybe its connected somehow and pushing the others out?
Michael of Art Jul 21st 2007 8:19PM
The Chinese in an ancient and honorable way, say no need to have an enhanced image of ones self, given by a brand of coffee or anything else.
Michael of Art
Lisa Jul 21st 2007 8:21PM
I have never seen the attraction of Starbucks. Their coffee really isn't all that good to me until you add all that other flavoring to it. I'd rather brew some of my own coffee and save the $4-$7. My small town already has two of these things and they're looking to build a third! Talk about overkill.
MANNY Jul 21st 2007 8:29PM
STARBUCKS SUCKS
DEBI Jul 21st 2007 8:40PM
I FOR ONE AM A BIG FAN OF STARBUCKS. FUNNY THING ABOUT AMERICA, WE HAVE A CHOICE. IF YOU LIKE THE COFFEE, THEN GO THERE AND IF NOT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY AWAY.
Moses Jul 21st 2007 9:04PM
Big deal....there isn't one in Des Plaines, Ill-annoy either.
Vivi Jul 22nd 2007 2:20AM
I have never been to Starbucks and personally prefer my coffee at my house whenever I feel like having it. I haven't any desire to have to get dressed and go out to get a cup of coffee.
RHEA Jul 21st 2007 8:57PM
Funny how China has taken many American jobs from our country, but don't want American"s coffee shop. Go figure!
annie Jul 21st 2007 9:00PM
I will NEVER go to Starbucks again! They don't support the war, thats fine...but to deny our soldiers who are fighting for OUR freedom coffee is sick and twisted! They were supplying coffee and their treats and pulled out. When the men and women serving in Iraq asked why, the company said "we no longer support the war" hense we don't support the troops!
Ron Jul 21st 2007 9:01PM
Starbucks is not coffee. It doesn't taste like coffee with all the flavoring they added. I mean hazelnut coffee? It taste like hazelnut. Or vanilla coffee. Tastes like vanilla. Kind of like eating chocolate ice cream that tastes like vanilla ice cream. Makes no sense. But it is only coffee based, but doesn't taste like coffee.
Sharon Jul 21st 2007 9:04PM
To me the shops are just a feeling of comradery, like the old timers going to a bar for a drink. The kids behind the bar have a real upbeat attitude and the coffee is good. So why do we have to complain. We are a nation of people that just have to complain about something.If you don't like the coffee or the price, no one is twisting your arm.
MITCHELL DRIMMER Jul 21st 2007 9:09PM
Starbucks...wasn't that Kojac's brother?
JoAnna Jul 21st 2007 9:09PM
I'd like to add to a previous comment...just because you don't support the war, it DOES NOT by any means prove that you don't support the war. I am anti-war but some of my closest friends are serving in the war right now and I support them 100%.
As for Starbucks closing in China, exactly what does that mean to us here?
SteveD Jul 21st 2007 9:21PM
Annie, you are missinformed. Hit the link to get more information. http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=684&rumor=true
M Jul 21st 2007 9:22PM
In reply to Annie comment #7 I dont like Starbucks either, no way, no how, and its small, medium, large, not some foreign language size. But go to www.truthorfiction.com go to 'search' type in Starbucks, and what that rumor is where they dont support the war is Fiction..the story is there, some employees made donations.
Mike
Kerry Jul 21st 2007 9:32PM
this puts me in the mood for an iced mocha
Roger Jul 21st 2007 9:33PM
Annie,
Starbucks has done plenty for the troops.
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=684&rumor=true
Rest of you,
What has your personal preference in coffee got to do with the story?
kelsey Jul 21st 2007 9:41PM
I, ALONG WITH MILLIONS OF OTHERS, ABSOLUTELY LOVE STARBUCKS!! I'LL ADMIT THAT IT'S EXPENSIVE, BUT IT'S GOOD, REAL COFFEE (AND OTHER DRINKS). IF THE CHINESE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT THAT'S FINE, BUT FOR ALL YOU OTHER PEOPLE STOP BRINGING IT DOWN. IT'S A VERY SUCCESSUL BUSINESS, SO OF COURSE THE OWNERS WANT TO EXPAND! (INTO THE GALAXY)
jen77rmp Jul 21st 2007 9:44PM
I love Starbucks... however, I don't go often cause they are overprice.
Mill Jul 21st 2007 10:00PM
China doesn't understand Starbucks. So what? I like General McArthur's idea better. Think they might've understood that?