What's a living wage?

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

McDonalds vs. Dunkin Doughnuts vs. Starbucks

I go to McDonalds and ask for a coffee.
They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

I go to Dunkin and ask for a coffee.
They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

I go to Starbucks and ask for coffee.
They look at me real weird, because I DID NOT ask for a mocha, frappe, Latte,
sprinkled with nut meg and brussel sprouts.
Then they tell me to get my own cream and sugar.
I look at their little tip jar they have sitting on the counter, and just laugh.

But at least you got to listen to jazz music and absorb pastel colors. And the cups are way cooler too. You're really hip in Starbucks. You just can't put a price on that.

Every single time I have ever walked into a Starbucks they treat me like I am an alien.
Seriously, I just want a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
And since I am paying $3 for that cup of coffee, I would appreciate if the guy/gal behind that counter asked me if I wanted cream and sugar, and then prepared my drink. But since I have to put in my own cream and sugar, am I also allowed to take $0.50 from their tip jar?

Thirty Bills Unpaid

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

McDonalds vs. Dunkin Doughnuts vs. Starbucks

I go to McDonalds and ask for a coffee.
They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

I go to Dunkin and ask for a coffee.
They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

I go to Starbucks and ask for coffee.
They look at me real weird, because I DID NOT ask for a mocha, frappe, Latte,
sprinkled with nut meg and brussel sprouts.
Then they tell me to get my own cream and sugar.
I look at their little tip jar they have sitting on the counter, and just laugh.

But at least you got to listen to jazz music and absorb pastel colors. And the cups are way cooler too. You're really hip in Starbucks. You just can't put a price on that.

Every single time I have ever walked into a Starbucks they treat me like I am an alien.
Seriously, I just want a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
And since I am paying $3 for that cup of coffee, I would appreciate if the guy/gal behind that counter asked me if I wanted cream and sugar, and then prepared my drink. But since I have to put in my own cream and sugar, am I also allowed to take $0.50 from their tip jar?

I'm hearing you, man. I was playing along.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

McDonalds vs. Dunkin Doughnuts vs. Starbucks

I go to McDonalds and ask for a coffee.
They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

I go to Dunkin and ask for a coffee.
They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

I go to Starbucks and ask for coffee.
They look at me real weird, because I DID NOT ask for a mocha, frappe, Latte,
sprinkled with nut meg and brussel sprouts.
Then they tell me to get my own cream and sugar.
I look at their little tip jar they have sitting on the counter, and just laugh.

But at least you got to listen to jazz music and absorb pastel colors. And the cups are way cooler too. You're really hip in Starbucks. You just can't put a price on that.

Every single time I have ever walked into a Starbucks they treat me like I am an alien.
Seriously, I just want a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
And since I am paying $3 for that cup of coffee, I would appreciate if the guy/gal behind that counter asked me if I wanted cream and sugar, and then prepared my drink. But since I have to put in my own cream and sugar, am I also allowed to take $0.50 from their tip jar?

I'm hearing you, man. I was playing along.

If the people at McDonalds had a tip jar sitting at the counter, I would probably laugh my ass off for 3 days.
But the people at Starbucks are allowed a tip jar?
Yet they cant put cream and sugar in my coffee?

Though if I ask for a Frappe, mocha, latte, sprinkled with shredded brussel sprouts, blue cheese, and turnips? They run around that counter, and start up every machine they possibly can, while preparing my drink?

I don't get it.
Put the damned cream and sugar in my coffee!

Thirty Bills Unpaid

I get a little irritated with the incessant prompts for tips at every take out place. We may have lost sight of what 'service' actually is.

I leave tips everywhere, but I'm not sure why? I pick up pizza... I leave a tip. I buy tacos... I leave a tip. I buy a coffee at Starbucks... I leave a tip.

I feel like I'm helping by doing so, but in reality... I'm subsidizing insufficient wages. The employer can sell their minimum wage job easier to people on the backs of people like me. So... I can refrain from giving tips and maybe an employer will eventually pay more their workers more... or maybe the worker behind the counter just has less at the end of the day with no tips and no wage increase.

* By getting to put your own cream and sugar in your coffee... you get to go to the little station where some freaking idiot can spill his whipped up concoction on you as you are headed to a shirt and tie affair. This happens to guys... trust me.

unsung

Halifax2TheMax said:

unsung said:

Yesterday I went to mcdonalds for the first time in over a year at 0500 for a coffee because Starbucks wasn't open yet. I waited at the window for about three minutes and then when this worker was walking to the window she did one of those wipe the nose with her sleeve from wrist to elbow moves, handed me the coffee, and closed the window. No thank you, no have a good day, not a word.

The only thing $15/hr will get her is unemployment.

Maybe so but you do realize that Starbucks pays their part time employees $10.00 per hour + and offers them health insurance, right? Maybe that's why you get a smile and proper personal hygiene habits and go there? Unless you're a coffee snob? I wonder why the unemployment rate for college grads is 3% or better?

Peace

Did you just attempt to justify a health code violation and somebody's rudeness because of their pay scale? Maybe they should quit and go work at starbucks instead? Or maybe they just aren't up to starbucks standards.

brianlux

Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

brianlux said:

Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

Im thinking most of us adults are fully aware how to make a pot of coffee.
Some of us have done it every day for 30+ years.

And its really not all that intriguing as to why people go to Starbucks, McDoodles and Dunky D's
Its called convenience.

I need to go sit in an independent coffee house and pay $4 for coffee.
Like I need another .....

Ya know?
Now that I think about it.
I have NEVER sat in a coffee house(unless you consider I-Hop or Denny's a coffee house)

brianlux

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

brianlux said:

Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

Im thinking most of us adults are fully aware how to make a pot of coffee.
Some of us have done it every day for 30+ years.

And its really not all that intriguing as to why people go to Starbucks, McDoodles and Dunky D's
Its called convenience.

I need to go sit in an independent coffee house and pay $4 for coffee.
Like I need another .....

Ya know?
Now that I think about it.
I have NEVER sat in a coffee house(unless you consider I-Hop or Denny's a coffee house)

Of course we all know how to make coffee. Sorry- my sense of humor must be roasted today.

Four dollars for coffee?? Speedy, your town needs a new independent coffee shop!!

SPEEDY MCCREADY

brianlux said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

brianlux said:

Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

Im thinking most of us adults are fully aware how to make a pot of coffee.
Some of us have done it every day for 30+ years.

And its really not all that intriguing as to why people go to Starbucks, McDoodles and Dunky D's
Its called convenience.

I need to go sit in an independent coffee house and pay $4 for coffee.
Like I need another .....

Ya know?
Now that I think about it.
I have NEVER sat in a coffee house(unless you consider I-Hop or Denny's a coffee house)

Of course we all know how to make coffee. Sorry- my sense of humor must be roasted today.

Four dollars for coffee?? Speedy, your town needs a new independent coffee shop!!

The Chicago area needs another coffee shop...
Like I need another...



)

Seriously, I just wouldn't, couldn't and will probably never find the time to actually sit in a coffee house and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Ill put that on my "To Do" list, when I retire.

>-

rival.

brianlux said:

Four dollars for coffee?? Speedy, your town needs a new independent coffee shop!!

any independent coffee shop here in chicago charges a premium for their items. easily $4 for a cup at those joints sadly.

i am okay with my $1 cup of coffee every morning from mcdonalds. won't touch their food but i do think their coffee is half way decent IMO. i prefer it over a starbucks coffee anyday.

Halifax2TheMax

unsung said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

unsung said:

Yesterday I went to mcdonalds for the first time in over a year at 0500 for a coffee because Starbucks wasn't open yet. I waited at the window for about three minutes and then when this worker was walking to the window she did one of those wipe the nose with her sleeve from wrist to elbow moves, handed me the coffee, and closed the window. No thank you, no have a good day, not a word.

The only thing $15/hr will get her is unemployment.

Maybe so but you do realize that Starbucks pays their part time employees $10.00 per hour + and offers them health insurance, right? Maybe that's why you get a smile and proper personal hygiene habits and go there? Unless you're a coffee snob? I wonder why the unemployment rate for college grads is 3% or better?

Peace

Did you just attempt to justify a health code violation and somebody's rudeness because of their pay scale? Maybe they should quit and go work at starbucks instead? Or maybe they just aren't up to starbucks standards.

Yea,sure. More like you get what you pay for.

Peace.

unsung

Or they're paid what they are worth.

brianlux

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

brianlux said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

brianlux said:

Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

Im thinking most of us adults are fully aware how to make a pot of coffee.
Some of us have done it every day for 30+ years.

And its really not all that intriguing as to why people go to Starbucks, McDoodles and Dunky D's
Its called convenience.

I need to go sit in an independent coffee house and pay $4 for coffee.
Like I need another .....

Ya know?
Now that I think about it.
I have NEVER sat in a coffee house(unless you consider I-Hop or Denny's a coffee house)

Of course we all know how to make coffee. Sorry- my sense of humor must be roasted today.

Four dollars for coffee?? Speedy, your town needs a new independent coffee shop!!

The Chicago area needs another coffee shop...
Like I need another...



)

Seriously, I just wouldn't, couldn't and will probably never find the time to actually sit in a coffee house and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Ill put that on my "To Do" list, when I retire.

>-

Well I think some day I'm gonna have to make a trip to Chicago to:

A) Go see the Art Institute of Chicago

Ride the El and

C) Buy my first cuppa Four Buck Coffee!

And if I ever do get out that way Speedy, I'll buy you a 4 buck cup o' Joe too. :-)

oceaninmyeyes

and for the coffee drinkers

PJ_Soul

Completely depends on the location. A living wage in Vancouver is at least triple what it is in most other places in North America (meanwhile we lag behind in average salaries and minimum wage - sucks to be us).

PJ_Soul

unsung said:

Let's be honest, corporate fat cats are going to get their cut no matter what. It's irrelevant if their minions make $5/hr or $50/hr, they won't suffer.

Yes I do believe that someone that has invested in themselves should earn more than someone who is 40 and flips burgers part time. I don't think of them as lesser humans, but they don't have skills, and their pay directly reflects that.

If Walmart offered $1/hr would people work there?

If Walmart offered $5/hr would people work there?

So Walmart offers $8/hr (fed min wage iirc) and the jobs fill.

But why? Why does $8 get what $5 can't? Because that's what they can get away with by law. People take those jobs because they know that's all that has to be offered. But I'm asking what if. What if there were no min wage? I think we can agree that nobody would work for $1/hr. What if people held out together for $10/hr? Guess what, Walmart would be forced to pay it. The way it works now all they have to do is offer the min and say take it or leave it.

If there were no min wage the employees would have the bargaining chip because they could hold out for better pay. With the min wage the company has the power, and feels that's all they have to offer. The market works better for the worker when the worker is holding the cards.

That has already been tried by Walmart employees. It's why Walmart is one of the biggest union busters in the world. They'd rather close a store than allow the employees to demand decent wages and benefits by striking.

brianlux

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1zL2ChTD64

unsung

oceaninmyeyes said:

and for the coffee drinkers

I know a corporate executive of a Fortune 100 company that started there as a janitor.

Maybe these people could apply themselves more to get a better position instead of just bitching about how much the boss makes.

brianlux

Ah yes, the old Horacio Alger success story. :-\"

Too bad it doesn't work that way 99.9% of the time. That's ok though, I have a very good friend who believes that fairy tale to be the gospel truth. Would it be nice. :-)

unsung

I'm just saying it's possible. Instead of complaining about things he chose to work hard and put his time him.

He never went to college either.