WHAT IS THE FASCINATION???
Being that it is Wednesday, I headed off to the weekly college age gathering this afternoon. This is a gathering where we not only discuss biblical issues, but also the issues we all face in our day to day lives in this society. We were typically gathering at the newly established Fireside Cafe, but due to rough business the cafe closed down this week forcing us to find a new place to congregate. It was decided we would meet at the newly built Starbucks, which contrary to Fireside, it is doing quite well in business. Unfortunately, due to inclement weather the outside seating at Starbucks was not up to its usual inviting luster. We departed our ways from the great Starbucks, and drove approximately a quarter of a mile across the street to the Barnes and Noble Starbucks. Having to establish a new place for us to meet due to our coffee shops untimely closer raised a question in my mind. What is the great fascination of Starbucks? I do agree that they have good coffee, but it is not really that much greater than the coffee you find at other various shops. What is it about the Starbucks atmosphere that necessitates the establishment of two Starbucks within a quarter mile of one another? Quite honestly I find the Starbucks establishments to be as ungenuine as they come. When you walk through the door of a Starbucks you are met by the brightly decorated style that promotes the quick paced life-style we are all a customed to. I think that the people that find themselves frequenting Starbucks multiple times a day are the same people that live this little fantasy New York City wanna-be lifestyle. The fact that the newspaper sold at Starbucks is the New York Times is enough to prove this point to me. I mean why do we really need to be reading the New York Times? The Times has proven themselves undeserving of any trust from the reading community as far as I am concerned.The Times is definately not the paper of choice I would read, and it should not really send any message of wealth or power to anyone who decides to buy this paper, if that is the appearance they are going for; and I am pretty certain it is. If you want to send the message that you are wealthy, powerful, and above the average coffee drinker, at least pick up the Wall Street Journal. I think that it is absolutley awful that the smaller, much more personal and friendly coffee shops are being closed down because someone feels the need to build yet another Starbucks in the exact same area just to feel that they are among the elite in coffee drinkers. From all the Starbucks establishments I have seen, I have never felt welcomed, or at a place of comfort. I feel that to gain entry and acceptance to this place of the most illustrious stars I must be wearing fine italian leather shoes, the latest designer jeans, a flashy polo shirt with the collar flipped up, listening to music through my microscopic headphones plugged into my retro-hip ipod. I think that Starbucks completely defines the downfall of our generation, and sums up what it is that is completely wrong in our society. We have truly become the most egocentric pathetic generation. The ideal coffee shop (in my mind) was best summed up in an interview with a very successful musician who told a story of going to a neighborhood cafe, and having to borrow a five dollar bill out of the embarrassment of having to pay for his cup a joe with a 100 dollar bill. The idea of a coffee shop is that of a place where you can go hang out and let your guard down, and not be embarrassed if you are the type of person who enjoys walking around in an old pair of jeans and a messy button down shirt or t-shirt. Starbucks is but one example out of thousands. I hope that you will join myself and Katie in discarding the cogs in your heads, growing a brain, and establishing an opinion of your own and not that of pop culture, and that you will join in our hate of the antichrist of coffee shops; Starbucks.
posted by Eric @ 10:54 PM
5 Comments:
hm... eric...
i must applaude your liberal, down with establishment, hurrah for local business mindset, and your wisdom in seeing through the facade of "style", "image", and wealth. it reminds me of jack johnson's "gone" "...those are only removable things..."
however... as much as i love fireside, and enjoy supporting local businesses as often as possible, the overpriced coffee at starbucks is just better. (by the way, Barnes & Noble cafe is NOT starbucks...they just brew starbucks coffee--they don't make the drinks the same way or even have many of the same drinks.) so, i'm sorry. i cannot join your crusade.
unless you want to wage war against WALMART!!!
can i just say that the missouri school of journalism made me read the NY Times everyday for a whole year. oh did i enjoy reading the world's most liberal newspaper...sure didn't. hated every letter of it. it was simply a waste of my time. oh yea & about starbucks...we don't have one in columbia. ok i lied, but the one in b&n doesnt count for much. how's that for a thriving metropolis. at least there is one in boonsboro.
oh & i'll join that crusade against wal-mart. hate that place there are FOUR SUPERCENTERS in columbia..neccessary? i beg to differ. yea we banned them here...a little too trashy i guess for the contra costa county folk.
anonymous~
I'm happy to hear that Walmart actually was banned somewhere. muskegon only has one, but there is soon to be another built directly accross the street from our wonderful, locally owned Meijer. I think walmart is trying to destroy all local business. so that everyone can just work at walmart and buy everything they need from walmart. wouldn't that be nice? grrrr.
Hey, Eric...wanna go to starbucks tonight?
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