The first of family arrive…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year 

With the kids jingle belling

All of them telling me, 

SANTA CLAUSE ISN’T REAL!!!!!

It’s just a lie parents tell 

The children to bribe them 

To be of good cheer

Or else!!!!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… 

To begin…

Act I

A comment on the amount of fecal matter likely on my shoes was gifted to me. 

Research!!!!

The average human foot likely has a small amount of fecal matter present, primarily on the soles of the shoes. Studies have shown a high percentage of shoes test positive for fecal bacteria.

There is no doubt that the research is sound and removal of shoes at the door is warranted…

However, (Opinion to follow) this admonishment, coming from a pet owner, did not go unnoticed. 

Pets in the home can transmit fecal matter, containing harmful bacteria and parasites to humans.

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-pet-supplies.html

Some people find debating to be a sport. 

I equate the sport of debate to “Play fighting”, which, from my experience as a youth, often led to the real thing. 

I “typically” choose not to participate and walk away from potential conflict. 

I concede… 

You are more intelligent than me. 

Congratulations! You win…

Act II

Later…

A news story came up in discussion. The murder of United Healthcare’s CEO…the copycat targets being painted on the backs of CEOs in the news.

I mentioned the most recent news story of newly appointed Starbuck CEO, “earning” 113 million per year and the striking employees of Starbucks in several areas and perhaps a connection to the public discord. (Correction…CEO Brian Niccol’s will receive a sign-on package worth up to $113m. His annual salary is only $1.6m.)

(Research shows that 300 Starbucks locations were affected by this strike_NPR.org_ Starbucks offered a different figure, telling NPR that only around 170 Starbucks stores did not open because of the strike.) 

Trivial facts: Starbucks Reports Q3 Fiscal 2024 results net revenues of $9.1 Billion. (investor.starbucks.com)

Stock Quotes 

Price $91.53        

52 week high_$103.32       

52 week low_$71.55  

            Employees_361,000 as of September 29,2024 (stockanalysis.com)

Over the past couple of days I have watched videos.  https://youtu.be/wWq1RXRRA4E?si=TY6m9pPouRJ5izTy

 In this video, Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Chair and CEO, describes several company founders who started out with relatively small investments, grew incredibly successful companies by focusing “One Key Principle” …….Customer Satisfaction. 

Opinion:  

I can see that the finances to create and maintain any company of any size can and, as is the case with Starbucks, be a huge investment. Starbucks is and hopefully will always be successful and ready to take our order.

Opinion: The business model…the “customer experience” is the face-to-face employees that interact with everyday people, eager to have their coffee, latte or whatever they prefer…made to order.

The human element IS the key to this business model.

NPR December 24, 2024 reports, “Workers regularly struggle to receive the hours we need to qualify for benefits and pay our bills. Starbucks need to invest in the workers who run the stores.”

Workers United disputes Starbucks’ characterization of its wage increase proposals — bargaining delegate Michelle Eisen, a 14-year Starbucks barista in Buffalo, N.Y., called it “false and misleading and they know it.”

“We are ready to finalize a framework that includes new investments in baristas in the first year of contracts,” Eisen told NPR.

The union is asking for a base wage of at least $20 an hour for all baristas with annual 5% raises and cost of living adjustments, enrollment in a Starbucks-sponsored retirement plan, more consistent schedules, enhanced paid leave protocols and better healthcare, among other initiatives.

In the final stretch of the four-day strike, it is calling on Starbucks to present a “serious economic offer at the bargaining table.”_NPR December 24, 2024

Act III

I tried to remove myself from conflict.

I was detained. 

There was drama.

My guest was on a quest to set me straight 

on the petty squabbles of a union’s dispute.

What a hoot…

I made my escape

I fled the scene

To the outdoors

Quiet and serene

It didn’t end there

I’m afraid to say

Apologies were met with disdain

Without a doubt, I acted out

Dare to say 

I ruined the day

Dinner was awkwardly quiet

My guest had uninvited himself

His lovely wife stayed

It’s the most wonderful time 

Yes, the most wonderful time

Oh, the most wonderful time

of the year… 

“The end”