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Messin’ with the Lexicon…and other things

June 24, 2009
posted by Carla | Comments

starbucksOkay, so I was at the airport the other day, waiting in a huge line at Starbucks. It was early morning and people needed their coffee. To pass the time, I started listening to people’s orders. As the “triple venti no whip skim latte” and the “single tall half and half soy” phrases started whizzing around my head, I had a thought. “Wow, Starbucks has invented its own language!” This was quickly followed up with a second thought. “Are they giving the consumer too much?”

That’s right, you heard me. Has Starbucks created a platform, an outlet for the consumer to be conditioned into thinking they can get whatever they want, however they want it? Is there such a thing as having too many choices? Does this ultimately foster an environment of actually not being able to make a decision?

I’m sure there are many other examples like Starbucks, and while the choice bonanza is great for the consumer, where does it leave those of us on the other side? Has it created an uneven playing field of false expectations? Has it built an arena where the majority of people want it exactly as they want it, regardless of the product’s ability to do so? How many people walk away dissatisfied, now that they are used to “the Starbucks Factor”?

Just something to ponder…over my soy mocha frappuccino no whip…

–Carla

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  • Erica
    I think this also leads to another societal issue...when people can't get exactly what they want, they feel entitled to complain and let everyone else know just how dissatisfied they are.

    As a recent example, my fiance is a manager at a movie theater. As you probably know, the new Transformers movie has regularly been selling out. People will arrive 10 minutes late, and then complain because the only seats left are in the front row, and request that the movie be shown in an additional theater for their convenience. Really?

    I think in general, especially with younger generations (which makes me sound old, I'm only 28!), our move towards getting everything "your way" has created this sense of entitlement that leads to always feeling wronged, and never satisfied. More is certainly not always a good thing!
  • Interesting you should bring this up. As a new parent I have been paying particularly close attention to kids and younger people in general lately. It's almost as though so much choice has left them with the attitude that "more is never enough" and that what they have could always be better, more perfect.

    For instance, I have a family member in her twenties who has literally never gone a day without getting exactly what she wants, when she wants it. She is a nice girl, but rarely do the words "thank you" ever pass from her lips - and usually when she gets what she wants, there is some problem to be found with it.

    I myself have been wondering how, with all the choices out there at our disposal, do you teach your child to be grateful for all that they have and all that they are given?
  • Maryellen
    I read an article years ago that talked about what happens when people have too many choices and feel they have to make the "perfect" choice, whether it's coffee or appliances or a new job. The author's view was that making a "good enough" choice left people much happier. When people felt they had to make a perfect choice or no choice, their stress levels increased. I'll just have skim milk and two splendas please. Cheers!
  • Barbara
    LEXICON. I was trying to think of that word last week, and it has been taunting me. LEXICON. Thank you Carla.

    Oh, and great blog, too!
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