Starbucks: Wrong Spelling Wrong

            I am not really a die-hard fan of Starbucks but I've been a customer for numerous times. I love the ambiance of the store. With the strong aroma of freshly brewed coffee, it's a perfect place when hanging out with friends or when I just want to be alone enjoying my frap.

            Seeing the video about “Why Starbucks Spells Your Name Wrong?” recently is not hilarious to me at all. I understand that not all baristas are purposefully writing the customer’s name incorrectly just like the guy in the video but with his revelation behind the misspelling made me wonder what the Starbucks management has to say about it.

I worked in the customer service industry for how many years. And being a front liner of the company, it is then imperative to always be professional and respectful towards customers as the reputation of the company is at my hand.

Getting the customer’s name is the first step for initiating rapport and establishing a great first impression. That’s why it is crucial to always start it right. Getting it incorrectly when you can ask for the correct spelling in the first place rather than to misspell it in an outrageous manner can not only disappoint but infuriate them. And what’s worst is when one intentionally misspells the customer’s name just to mess-up. One can still have fun during his shift without hurting other people.

And that part when he said, “Thanks Starbucks for having a sense of humor about this,” was too difficult for me to comprehend. Does this mean that Starbucks is quite aware of this but is just letting it pass? Or are they  proud  enough to just shrug this off knowing that despite their baristas messing-up the days of their customers, they will still be patronized at the end of the day? I pray not.

I do have a sense of humor. Everybody has. But there is a thin line between being funny to being rude. Impression lasts longer than actions. And creating a wrong impression can hurt your business, big time.

Either the video is a joke or not (which I hope is), in the end we all learn our lessons to always be respectful and sensitive especially if it is our customers. It is better to serve others sincerely and wholeheartedly and create great impressions than be mean and bully which doesn't help you in any way.

Jessie Dericto, 28 years old, is a Freelance Writer, Blogger, Virtual Assistant and a nursing mom. If she is not doing anything, she is either spending time with her family or doing something artsy.