Pay it forward Starbucks Holiday cheer - presumably happens in drive-throughs.

I didn't even know that Starbucks had drive-throughs, I mean if they do then why the hell does Britney Trainwreck Spears keep stopping for her double-grande-3000-calorie grande-venti-fix with whip cream while hordes of paparazzi cover her every step? Oh. Nevermind.

I did know that Starbucks had a Cheer Pass promotion:

The cards were handed out at Starbucks locations last month, and this month at various surprise events along with free beverages or other treats.
The cards carry messaging that encourages people to do something nice for someone and then to pass the card along to someone else who in turn offers an act of kindness and on it goes.

Now news stations are reporting on random acts of holiday cheer - Chain Of Kindness Runs Through Starbucks Drive-Through somewhere in Florida - where presumably a Tai-Chi master started the chain to teach the impatient guy behind him a little zen. Yeah, that doesn't sound in the least bit scripted. But that's not the only report of such a chain, Pittsburg live reports that it happened in Starbucks in the Greengate Centre in Hempfield, and the intarwebs is a-buzzing with this story check the comments here at Metafilter for some "It happened to my sister", though yes they are being sarcastic. Even Starbucks cups carry a story about someone passing the cheer on except then it happened in Riverside, California. Either this is happening everywhere or someone is just making this crap up - what do you think?

Odd syncronicity - TDD here mentioned a pay-it-forward at the toll gesture in the Maxwell house pays your toll post last month.

Now, I'm just gonna kick back and wait for the next person in line to make the next front page post. ;9 Pay it forward!

Update more crazy goodwill - cops pull over drivers just to give them coupons

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deeped's picture

People become mad at Xmas-time.

tod.brody's picture

I think there's a Christmas phenomenon in America where people actually take the non-commercial essence of the hoiiday to heart, and embrace good will.  If Starbucks was smart enough to capitalize on that, more power to them. They have a small window of opportunity until a few days after New Years when things get back to normal.I think I'll head over to Denmark's only Starbucks at the airport today so I can feel the Christmas spirit.  :-) 

Allan1's picture

Here's a Pay-It-Forward from a BANK in Fargo, North Dakota (USA):

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/17/bank.gift.ap/index.html

Allan...
"Remember, no matter where you go... There you are." (Buckaroo Banzai).

adlib's picture

This is nothing but well spun PR in action. Even if it did happen, once somewhere in California all it really amounted to was one guy buying coffee for the guy behind them, and then everyone else paying for 'their coffee' and not accepting the gift of the free one.

Dabitch's picture

Wow, you really sucked the cheer out of that one. Though, I agree with you. It's like a guilt-chain, more than a cheer-chain.

BaciBaci's picture

who needs a card to pay it forward? ill often pay for the order placed by the car behind me at local starbucks drive-thrus. NBD. just a little something to make someones day brighter. it doesnt hurt. try it yall!

 +Baci