Do Starbucks and Sugar in the Raw Have a Strategic Alliance?

What is with the shameless pushing of "Sugar In The Raw" that seems to be going on at Starbucks? I've been getting the same drink at Starbucks - a Triple Grande No-Whip Mocha - for years now. And I usually just add the (white, normal) sugar at the little bar or whatever and leave.

But recently I decided I'd like to have the barista do it for me - seems more efficient and I wouldn't have to mess with the lid and stuff. Starbucks coffee (or espresso, in my case) is really good, but I don't really want to spend any more time there than I have to in the morning, "happily" chatting with people before I've had my morning caffeine.

Well, you wouldn't believe the problems that the simple act of requesting sugar in my coffee (espresso, actually) has caused. Here are some of the ridiculous conversations requesting sugar in my coffee has caused:

ME: "Hello, I'd like a triple grande no-whip mocha with 4 sugars, please."

Starbucks Barista: "Sugar In The Raw?"

ME: "No, just regular sugar."

Starbucks Barista:"We don't have sugar."

ME: (I do a double take, then...) "You don't have sugar?"

Starbucks Barista:"No, we only have Sugar In The Raw."

ME: "Ok, whatever, 4 Sugar In The Raw, then."

This was a conversation via the speaker at a drive-through (another reason I've taken to having the barista add my sugar for me - I finally found a neighborhood Starbucks in West Des Moines, Iowa, with a drive-thru. Oddly enough, a Starbucks with a drive through is incredibly rare in this frozen wasteland, where you would think drive-throughs would be the norm due to the weather, but I digress.....)

Anyway, so I drive up to the window and the cashier processes my card while telling me how much better Sugar In The Raw is for me. Whatever. I really don't care. I just want my caffeine and don't care to get into long discussions in the morning before I've had it. Just give it to me!