The Starbucks in London are filthier than their US counterparts, because Americans are conditioned to tidy up for themselves, even when they're paying $5 for a cup of coffee. The conclusion comes from Bryant Simon, who is writing a book about his experiences visiting every Starbucks he can find:
India, Russia, Brazil and Egypt are to be targeted this year. There are 530 branches in the UK and, with profits soaring, the company has said it aims to add 50 per year, about half of them in the south east of England. Anyone can now calculate their 'Starbucks density' using a locator on the company website: a person in Regent Street in London is within five miles of 166 branches.
It is proof the formula works even in a nation of tea drinkers, but Simon feels one element was lost in the move across the Atlantic: 'Starbucks is dirtier in Britain. Americans have been taught to do part of the labour, and they clean up after themselves. In the US, part of Starbucks' appeal is its cleanness.'
(via Starbucks Gossip)
