The impossible has happened because society has decided to collectively be up in arms about an issue. No, they are not declaring war on poverty, terrorism, drugs, or even premarital sex, but on cardboard cups. Yes, cardboard cups. Starbucks lovers everywhere are irate, complaining about the design, or lack thereof, on the winter promotion cups this season. Straying from what has become tradition, the coffee tycoon has opted for a classy, solid red cup instead of flashy designs and a change from the normal white. Some Christian groups have even gone so far to call it a "War on Christmas."
Joshua Feuerstein is a popular Facebook videoblogger who prides himself on his strong religious beliefs, posted a video expressing his concerns about the new design. Claiming that "Starbucks REMOVED CHRISTMAS from their cups because they hate Jesus," he has started a trending hashtag #MerryChristmasStarbucks to "trick" baristas into writing "Merry Christmas" on cups. Enraged customers everywhere are either boycotting Starbucks or even going so far as to harass local baristas about the outrageous cups while still paying $5.00 on coffee. Once the red cups were debuted, angry customers took to social media.
Compilations from Starbucks' Facebook Page
Note: 189 Retweets and 206 Likes
Starbucks employees are also not happy about the cups, but for different reasons. Multiple baristas have reported that customers have harassed them about the cups and the lack of "merriment" in the stores. Others have said that customers have even resorted to cursing at the baristas to "express" their discontent with Starbucks, despite the baristas having nothing to do with the cups nor the store setup. Three-year barista, Sean Barry, has spoken out about the issue on his Twitter account.
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This still wouldn't change the design on the cups, though. In an ironic turn of events, on November 9th, Starbucks stores across the nation debuted their holiday (more so Christmas than any other winter holiday) decorations that have been in the store since before Halloween.
And then after all that, it is a matter of time before the red aprons and Santa hats come out. Since the Christmas decorations have come out, complainers have essentially been ceased and baristas are a little less stressed. Ranging from reusable cups that say "Joy" to Christmas carols and even a Starbucks Advent Calendar, it is safe to say that Starbucks isn't removing Christmas from stores and never planned to do so. Perhaps patience really is a virtue!
