A Florida man put an end to another “pay it forward” streak at a local Starbucks because he said he thinks people were participating out of “guilt,” not “generosity.”
Peter Schorsch,
a blogger, drove to the Starbucks drive-thru in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Thursday after hearing about the pay it forward phenomenon there that ended with customer No. 458, a woman, the day before. After he ordered two Venti Mocha Frappuccinos, the barista told him his first drink had been paid for by the previous customer and asked if he would like to pay for the next customer.
“I told him no,” Schorsch, of St. Petersburg, told ABC News. “When the barista asks you to pay it forward, it is no longer spontaneous.”
“I’m really not trying to be a Grinch,” Schorsch said. “I know things are hard for baristas and I am willing to help people.”
“I just don’t want to be forced into doing something,” said Schorsch, who is also a political consultant. “This is turning into a social phenomenon and I had to put an end to it.”
When baristas ask customers to pay for the next customer, some patrons simply oblige out of guilt, not generosity, he said.
“Although I can’t prove it, I think this has become an organic marketing ploy for Starbucks,” Schorsch said. “I love Starbucks. I have nothing against them. But this takes away the genuineness.”
Schorsch said some patrons are driving to this particular store after they heard about the pay it forward streak.
“This is turning into something ridiculous and cheesy,” Schorsch said.
“It just seems like a First World problem to me. Middle-class people sitting in their cars at a drive-thru, sipping a $5 drink and worrying about someone breaking the ranks,” Schorsch said.
“There is a little humor being a contrarian, but I think if you really want to help, find someone that obviously needs help, like the homeless,” Schorsch said.
Peter Schorsch:
Arrested in 2006 for writing 16 worthless checks totalling more than $1,200 for cash at Publix. He pleaded guilty and was fined (SPTimes, 9/9/2007)
Arrested in 2006 on charges he stole nearly $10,000 from the Democratic club, and from Ed Helm and Eve Joy, who ran for mayor and a seat on the St. Petersburg City Council, respectively, in 2005.After pleading no contest, he was sentenced to two years of house arrest and three years of probation, during which he was prohibited from working in campaigns.
-Still has not paid a $66,500 fine levied in 2006 by the Florida Elections Commission for unrelated election violations. (SPTimes, 9/9/2007)
Reported Congressman Bill Young died, a full two days before he actually passed away. (What an idiot!?)
Is Charlie Crist’s close friend and confidant. Crist officiated his wedding to disgraced former RPOF employee, and past and present Crist staffer, Michelle Todd.
Has attacked Conservative Republicans like Marco Rubio, Allen West, and Rick Scott. Conveniently scrubbed all the ant-Rubio posts from his site.
Accused of extorting money from politicians and candidates
Admitted to writing favorable stories for pay
Accused of writing hit pieces against those who do not pay him.(TampaBay Times, 2013)
Has been able to get Republicans like Scott Plaken, Jeff Brandis, Will Weatherford, Blaise Ingoglia, Pat Rooney, Shawn Harrison, Chris Latvala, Jr., and others to advertise with him, even as several believe, and have said that he is a total piece of garbage.