How long has it been since you had one of these bad boys?
How long has it been since you had one of these bad boys? CF

The first thing I did when I heard about #BoycottStarbucks? Walked to the nearest Starbucks.

Wait, no, I walked to the second nearest Starbucks. Even though I like to patronize independent coffeeshops, I also have a secret love of coffee Frappuccinos. Whenever I'm in New York City on a hot summer day, I buy a coffee Frappuccino. Whenever I'm in LA, same thing. I hadn't had a coffee Frappuccino in Seattle until... well, I guess I had one last summer. #TypicalMe.

On the walk just now, I thought about all the things I love about Frappuccinos:

• They're delicious.
• The flavor.
• Whatever it is they put in them that makes them taste that way.
• They're as decadent as milkshakes, but way less bad for you. (A 12-ounce coffee Frappuccino is only 180 calories.*)
• The texture.
• The flavor, which is delicious.
• The word "Frappuccino."
• Deliciousness.

Anyway, I walked to the second-nearest Starbucks and asked people sitting inside what they made of the CEO's announcement that the company would hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years.

The Starbucks I visited is across the street from Seattle University. Two young women I talked to didn't want to be photographed, but these two students said yes:

Saul McGuire, on the left, is studying English Literature. Peter Wachsmith, on the right, is studying Strategic Communications.
Saul McGuire, on the left, is studying English Literature. Peter Wachsmith, on the right, is studying Strategic Communications.

Peter Wachsmith, a senior majoring in Strategic Communications at Seattle University, said, to his credit, "I don't have anything intelligent to say because I haven't gotten a chance to read about it yet. I don't want to say anything misinformed."

(Can you imagine if more people thought that way? "I don't have an opinion yet—I need to read up on it"? The world would be a better place...)

When given the basic facts, Wachsmith said it sounded like "they're setting a precedent for how U.S. corporations can be socially responsible."

Saul McGuire, a senior majoring in English Literature (his favorite novel is Orwell's Animal Farm), offered the perspective of someone who's been hired by Starbucks before. "I used to work at Starbucks, and even though it's a huge company, I never felt excluded," he said. "If someone's looking for employment, it's a place I recommend."

A student sitting nearby (who also preferred not to be photographed) commented, "This is the first time I'm hearing about this. I could see it as a PR move, but I'd also like to think their heart is in the right place."

By the time I left the coffeeshop...

my Frappuccino was almost gone.
...my Frappuccino was almost gone.

That's how good they are! They just disappear, of their own volition. By the time I got to the office, five blocks away...

I was ready for another.
...I was ready for another.

* Coffee Frappuccinos, mind you—i.e., plain Frappuccinos. (Calorie breakdown here.) If you get a Caramel Brulee Frappuccino, or a Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino, well, yeah, the calorie count goes up. Have a little self-control and just get coffee flavor and it won't ruin your day.