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Then, again, maybe an exotic latte isn’t as self-indulgent as it was back in the day.  Point is, luxuries seem to resist economic downturns the way some animals are resistant to the toxins in what they eat.  But, if Starbuck's maintains its indulge-yourself-right-here aura, and people refuse to cut back on their daily quaff, it will join luxury goods and all those hair-and-nail salons where business is pretty good.  Stagflation be damned.

This week, Starbuck’s closed its shops’ doors in the middle of a busy day for three, whole coffee-drinking hours to do something that accomplished two objectives: First, it conducted a refresher (or remedial) course on espresso basics for all baristas.  Secondly, it let be known what they did..and why, with this message posted in stores:

"Your drink should be perfect, every time. If not, let us know and we'll make it right."

My take: the service was slipping and Starbuck’s brass didn’t like what last year’s surveys revealed.  So it took action.  Not only that, it let it be known that the voice of the drinker was heard, listened to, and acted upon.  Starbuck’s let its customers know that it tastes the world those customers taste.  It doesn’t get a distorted view of its customers through the steam of the espresso machines, it judges the quality of its product based on the taste of the people drinking it.