When I visited the Forbidden City I was surprised to find a Starbucks, the only commercial vendor... didn't seem right somehow.

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I don't see anything wrong with Starbucks going into China. Almost everything we buy is from China and our trade debt is huge. Any American product we can sell abroad only helps us here at home.

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Nothing like an American Java Chip Frapaccino when walking through the Forbidden City in June's sweltering heat. Still, it is sad to see it mixed in with all of China's most cherished history. What's next, McDonald's on the Great Wall?

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Visiting in Taiwan it was refreshing to get a good cup of Starbucks coffee...we made a point to take a walk each morning to the corner.

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When I ordered a latte at a Starbucks in Beijing, it tasted more like milk with a faint trace of coffee, employee has no skills what so ever. Funny thing is how they try to act cool and say the names in English with terrible accent and snotty attitude.

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I too was surprised and then apalled to see Starbucks in the Forbidden City. Now, I like coffee, and I drink Starbucks (although not exclusively) but it just seems wrong to take a place with an amazing history like the Forbidden City and put an American coffee shop in it. And as for all the Americans that just LOVE to be able to get Starbucks in all the backward countries I would suggest that you are missing a lot and should perhaps stay home. (I would suggest the free tea at the foreigners lounge at the FC if you need a drink)

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I just came back from a trip in China, what I see is a nation struggling to break free of the government controlling their lives but not knowing exactly how to do it. Once they get control of land ownership, things like Starbucks, McDonalds, and KFC(the most popular fast food)as well as Wal-Mart will blossom. this should not be a surprise to anyone as you find these every where, Turkey, Russia, etc. It is part of the modern landscape and as long as American culture dominates the world scene it will continue.

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I was at a Starbucks in Shanghai and the service was horrendous. Yes, you have an American import, but you can't import hospitality. Chinese people don't know how to be friendly at least not in an American way.

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I went to a Starbucks in Shanghai and the service was horrendous. Yes, Starbucks is an American import, but you can't import hospitality. Chinese people in China are not known to be friendly.

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I find it appalling that Starbucks would want to conquer one of the last frontiers of commercialization and not support the troops in Iraq because they do not believe in nor agree with the war. It just brings home the fact that it is the quest for the almighy dollar that is truly important to them (Starbucks)

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That's crazy about starbucks in the forbidden city. I work at a starbucks in Wichita and we have people here who drink it and don't like it just to fit in too. Also it is disgraceful in the city to be seen eating in the streets, but it's ok to drink coffee...lol

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Here is a thought don't drink coffee and the shops will go away..you caffeine addicts. : )

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Starbucks has done a fantastic job bringing their American style of coffee to many nations. The fact that they are in China bodes well for an inhanced set of socially driven changes that could aid in bringing China closer to somewestern set of moral and ethical codes. The prime focus being eco-centered business practices, smoke free enviornments, empowerment of employees and social de-stratification as the gender lines are demolished in the workplace. This can be no better seen than in Japan and there is hope that the success of Starbucks in China can bring about a similar coffee-educational revolution.
Starbucks offers a wide variety of choices, and choice is a concept that must be embraced, and a pillar for capitolism. I do not propose to allow companies that are not top in their Industries (no fast food degredations please) to be in such a sacred or historical place, but Starbucks transcends cultures and brings people together to share thoughts and ideas, be it in person, or via wireless web hubs. Starbucks is a company we can all wish to work for, as its values and strategic focus have proven themselves winners.

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You can buy "Starbucks - Hangzhou" t-shirts at the one next to Mickey Dee's in Hangzhou. Be sure to try them on. Chances are that you will need to buy a size or two up.

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Does anyone remember when Starbucks first started? If so.......where?

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I had a cup of coffee when I was 13, or rather a half a cup, and haven't had coffee since. If you're a coffee junkie that's ok by me, but there's just something that's too American-capitalist-venture-ish about Starbucks in the shadow of the Great Wall of China to suit me. I mean, there's no Chinese-franchise institution with a presence in every American city of any size.....(yet).

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Remember: Business is good -- when you do good business. I am not a fan of FORDS, but I don't go around telling people they shouldn't drive them. Do you bank at a family owned bank? Do you drive car from a privately owned company? Do you shop at the corner market? Sometimes the little guy doesn't do as well as the big guy because he's NOT as good as the big guy. I own a Toyota, shop at Walmart, and own a gun. America is about choice... Just because you don't like something -- doesn't mean it's WRONG... IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T BUY IT. period.

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We have Chinese restaurants in the US, why not a coffee house in China? I know when i was in China for two weeks i was dying for a GOOD cup of coffee.
You have to remember every country caters in some way to their tourism why shouldn't China too?

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Jaquie, you missed the point. Nobody likes a cup of coffee more than I, and I do drink Starbucks at times, but basically I agree with Tracey. By all means, have them all over China and elsewhere, but around the corner from the Forbidden City would have been in better taste. (pun intended)

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Great, just what the world needs, another STARSUCKS.

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