Why I Love Starbucks

Earlier today, I was cleaning out the closet in my office and I came across a picture of me and my friend Jess at Starbucks.  I started thinking about how lovely that moment was, being with someone I loved at a place I have grown to love. Then I began reflecting on why I love Starbucks so and have come up with the following list of reasons:

1. ATMOSPHERE

I am cheap. I love nice things, but I won’t buy them unless they are down to clearance prices. I scoff at paying over twenty dollars for anything, yet I will gleefully spend close to six dollars for a grande vanilla latte and a vanilla cupcake at Starbucks. Do I feel as if I am getting ripped off? Sure don’t. It is because I am not only paying for coffee and a delicious baked good, but I am paying for a sense of calm, a sense of serenity, a sense that in
Starbucks I am somehow wiser, prettier, wealthier…

Many things add to the atmosphere.  The music is the number one thing. One day a few weeks ago, the music was blaring and it ruined the experience. But that has only happened once and I forgave by the next week. Not only does Starbucks usually play their music at the perfect volume, they play music I actually like.  Another thing that adds to the atmosphere is the artwork. I love the collage-look of most of
their art. I am often tempted to steal it, but I have yet to do so. The third piece of atmosphere-help comes in the form of the immensely sought after Comfortable Chairs (they deserve to be capitalized). The first thing one does when driving up to Starbucks is
to look through the windows to see if people are occupying the Comfortable Chairs. If they are, one is momentarily saddened. One might think, “If only I had cut that guy off!” or “I don’t even know this person, but I hate him/her!” But that feeling passes as soon as
one walks in. The smell of the espresso and the gentle hum of music hypnotizes the soul. As soon as one steps foot inside, the world is suddenly at peace.

2. A CHANCE TO REBEL

At many various eating/drinking places, I will order the same thing every single time. When I go to Chilli’s, it is completely insane to think that I will order anything other than the chicken crispers, with baked apples, mashed potatoes, and a side of honey mustard. That’s my meal. At Cafe Del Rio, the best Mexican place in Pittsburg, Kansas, I got the
chicken chimichanga with queso sauce every single time. I did not want to try an enchilada or a taco; I had found my love and I stuck with it.

At Starbucks, however, I go crazy (think Girls Gone Wild, but with clothes and morals). I do not have a usual drink there. Sometimes I will order a mocha, sometimes I will get the caramel macchiato. I will often order the great tea or java chip frappuccino. I have just added the vanilla latte (hot AND iced) into my rotation.

When I walk into Starbucks, I feel wild, young, and carefree. When I walk up to that counter and they ask me what I’ll be having, it takes me a moment to decide. I think to myself, “What sounds good today?” I live in the moment, taking in all of the beauty and sweet, coffee-filled aromas.

3. FEELING POPULAR

Every Starbucks employee I have ever encountered have had two things in common: they are pretty and they act like they’re truly excited to
see you. Combine these two things and you will receive a serious ego-boost. Sure, these people get paid to be friendly. But when they tell you to have a good day, you feel that they cannot have a good day unless you can, as well. When they compliment your shirt or earrings, you feel as if you should be on the cover of Vogue.

When I walk up the counter, I experience a deep sense of belonging. These people do not know me, nor I them, but we have an unspoken love and respect for one another. I like one’s hair, she likes my skirt. I like the sound of one’s voice, he delivers my drink with a big grin. We are all one–different yet the same.

Starbucks does not only provide good coffee; it is the starting point for world peace.

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