As a recovering former employee of the largest coffee chain in the galaxy, it was with great amusement that I read of their campaign to “instigate meaningful dialog about racism.” Not that this country doesn’t need some meaningful dialog on this issue, but the vehicle chosen by this particular industry was, at best, not well considered, and at worst….well, just saying….
As someone who worked for many years behind the counters of food and coffee establishments, I can say with a good amount of certainty, that the last thing someone who is standing in line waiting for their coffee in the morning is meaningful dialog beyond “large, leave room for cream, make that a double.” It’s bad enough to be behind the person who orders a “half caff, skim almond milk, extra foam, sprinkle of yak butter, cinnamon, caramel pandachino” let alone have to wait for them to have meaningful dialog about anything.
And I can pretty much guarantee that the barista, gazing at the line of 20+ people who have not had their coffee yet, does not want any more meaningful dialog beyond, “will that be cash, charge, or your first born?”
So, really, if you want to do something meaningful to eliminate racism, sexism, or intolerance of any kind, wouldn’t it be more meaningful to um…hire more people of color, or diverse life style choices in upper management level positions, for example? What do ya say, Howard?
Please note: we just read of Starbuck’s pledge to support Gay Marriage, which we applaud, and in the spirit of this announcement, we cordially invite anyone who really hates this idea to quit reading The Panda Chronicles. Pandas are in favor of tolerance, you know.
Meanwhile, we invite you to take part in our #WeREndangered campaign, and engage in our own brand of meaningful dialog*
*Making fun of pandas
This was way too much fun. :o)
Can I have my coffee now?
Be the Bear!
Bob T. Panda
I would so buy a “we’re endangered” coffee cup!
Actually, I would too. Maybe I should do a Kickstarter project to to some #WeREndangered cups with a picture of the pandy kindy in their fez mobile. Actually, I noticed a new shop is going in in my town, that makes embroidered stuff and prints t-shirts….I will see what there merchandise looks like. I think a “#WeREndangered hat or t-shirt with the pandy kindy in their fez mobile would be great!
Atta boy, er girl, er whatever- I like the way you’re thinking.
Hee hee!
Poor Bob – but Mehitabel really wanted her coffee! I think we’ve all been there 🙂
But she forgot her Binky Bar!
Me too! I want a “we’re endangered” coffee too. Let’s do it!
I just remembered that I can design coffee cups through my extremely neglected cafe press Store. I will get on that this week, so everyone can have a #WeREndangered coffee cup. Um…I want one too.
There is a new place in town which will hopefully open zoo, and I will look into seeing if I can do hats there with my own design. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Pandas are the best for this discussion! After all, who knows diversity more than a panda? As the one meme says “Pandas are so chill, they’re like ‘Dude, racism is stupid! I’m black, white and Asian!'”
Well, exactly! and #WeRendangered!!!!!
Love the willingness of Bob .. and of course his hat :-))
just one question about the Binky bars, which often appear in the P. chronicles: are those sweets? such a cake?
I think they are a cookie-like item, possibly also sold by the Panda Scouts.
I wonder if that is what I gave Lun Lun during the Wild Encounter? Afterwards, the keeper warned me that the particularly cute behavior she was doing toward me was “begging” and no more biscuits for her. Meanwhile, she’s looking at me (and oh so cute) doing the puppy eyes, only she’s a PANDA, and therefore magical, going “C’mon, one more biscuit! After all, I’m a PANDA, and I know you want to give me one…”
I seriously don’t know how the keepers don’t give in… other than treats for begging would mean she wouldn’t be as motivated to do the husbandry behaviors and get treats that way. It’s why I could never be a panda keeper… Lun Lun already knows I’m a sucker for panda-eyes (which are more convincing than puppy-eyes)
Ha ha! Lucky you, getting to give treats to Lun Lun. I’m with you. I could never say “NO” to a panda! Bring on the. Binky Bars!
My Inner Panda Thinks Four Things:
1 Why isn’t Howard Schultz Helping in Me Get Out?
2 I just lost something my Inner Panda Wrote. Grrrrrrr?
3 Why isn’t Howard Schultz Funding WOOZPAH?
4 What, just precisely, does WOOZPAH, as an acronym, stand in for what words?
My Brain on Pandas.
And Taxes. <3
Howard SHOULD be funding WOOZPAH! Why didn’t I think of that? Of course since i just made fun of him, and um…I used to work for him, I’m guessing he won’t consider it. #WeREndangered
WOOZPAH stand for WOOdland park Zoo Project PandAH
The drink description made made my day …and two days before the tax deadline for someone who works in the “family business” that is saying something.
Glad I could add a little levity to the day. I can say that because I got my taxes done a few weeks ago! Remember to eat plenty of cuppycakes and hot cocoa as you head in to the home stretch of yours. I’m pretty sure cuppycakes are deductable expenses.
We at the Institute for Contemporary Panda Satire salute you!
This is hilarious, and the cup’s awesome, too!
Hee hee. Glad you liked it. Now I want a whole set of these cups. Fortunately I know where to get them!