Starbucks baristas have received instructions on how to handle “aggressive” customers who might be upset about Howard Schultz’s presidential ambitions.
The employees were provided a “Barista Need-To-Know” update last week that encouraged them to defuse politically charged exchanges about the former CEO’s run for president, according to the Huffington Post.
“If a customer attempts to investigate, or share aggressive political opinions, attempt to diffuse [sic] the situation,” read a copy of the memo obtained by the website.
It continues to suggest a solution: “We respect everyone’s opinion. Our goal is simply to create a warm and welcoming space where we can all gather, as a community, over great coffee.”
The missive also tells employees to direct customers to a bookstore if they want a copy of Schultz’s new book “From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America.”
Finally, when asked about the coffee mogul’s possible quest to mount an independent run for president, baristas can simply reply: “Howard’s future plans are up to him.”



