I’m not labeled as a loyal Starbucks drinker, considering I’m a college student on a budget who basically “runs on Dunkin” due to their less expensive options, but I’m here to defend Starbucks’ green cup that was released this past week on the first of November. Coincidentally, the Starbucks green cup was released the same day as the seasonal holiday flavors which caused the avid Starbucks’ drinkers to believe this was the cup for the 2016 holiday season. It turns out, the fans who overacted about the green cup will be granted their holiday cup when it comes out the tenth of November! Will they not be around to claim their seasonal favorites inside this year’s red cup, or was the green cup all one big misunderstanding?

Shogo Ota created an intricate design on the green cup that represented unity. Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, claims the cup was created to reflect the connection between Starbucks, their employees, and the community during this time of year when we should be reminded to respect each other’s’ values and beliefs.

Starbucks has been around since 1971, and has become a hot-spot in the United States for daily commuters, working men and women, and students who need their daily fix of espresso or a place to quietly work. For others, it remains a place to purchase an occasional treat. People are loyal to Starbucks’ because they enjoy the taste of their products, the experience, or appreciate the convenience it offers. This is exactly why Starbucks has become so popular; their versatility captures the attention of coffee lovers! Although this is a positive attribute, it also can create an issue when under pressure to please so many of its customers. What I mean by this is exemplified by the green cup. There are the customers who love it, but the media captures the negative feedback by the Starbucks drinkers who don’t like the design. Hey, you can’t please everyone!

Starbucks was originally built in Seattle and has continued to grow into over 25,000 stores globally. Although they have become a worldly brand, they have continued to embrace their mission “to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person one cup and one neighborhood at a time” with their emphasis on community, which is illustrated in the green cup. There will always be customers voicing their opinions based on their dislikes, but what truly matters is the accurate message that is perceived by the drinkers and non-drinkers of Starbucks coffee who see the cup. Starbucks highly values its communities and their loyal customer base, and this cup is just a simple reminder of their appreciation and dedication to serving its customers and the relationship they share.