Several weeks ago, I had a conversation that made me a little annoyed / amused. I was talking to a friend of mine and I suggested that we go to Starbucks™ for some coffee™ and conversation. Somehow, that was the worst thing I possibly could have suggested, because she then told me with a fair amount of venom: “Starbucks™ is a giant corporation and I don’t support them. You shouldn’t drink Starbucks™ because you are just supporting their giant global empire. I can’t believe you would want to go there. Honestly Scott, I expected better of you. I thought you were someone like me.”
To say the least, I was completely incredulous. I mean, I certainly agree with her in spirit, but she was being a hypocrite with that stance and I informed her of this fact. She asked me to justify that remark and so I did.
I said, “Look, I know you shop at Wal-Mart™. I know this because you’ve told me. I know this because we’ve even gone together before.”
“I see you are wearing Nike™ shoes. I also happen to know you got that shirt at Hot Topic™”
“You are holding a Hershey’s™ chocolate bar, and if I am not mistaken, those are Levi’s™ jeans you are wearing. You drive a new Toyota™, and you are always talking about eating at TGI Fridays™. Inside of your new Toyota™ is a stack of CD’s that are produced by companies such as Sony™, Warner Brothers™, and other RIAA members. If you are confused as to why this term applies to you, just get on your Apple™ and Google™ the word. I am sure the irony will sink in at any moment. Why is it OK for you to be a corporate whore, but nobody else can? I just find that to be a little hypocritical.”
“I am not trying to suggest you downgrade your morals, and feel free to boycott as many evil corporations as you wish. Personally, I am trying to shop at Wal-Mart™ as little as possible these days, convenience notwithstanding. I hate them for their anti-competitive business practices and for how they screw-over their employees on a regular basis, but I don’t think either one of us can really talk beyond wishing we could support more local businesses more often. Neither of us is completely evil-corporation-patronage free at the moment, and you know it.”
She looked at me and blinked for a minute and then finally with an air of resignation, she said: “Point taken. Do you want a Frappuccino™? That actually sounds delicious right now.”
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