The Starbucks dream…
One of the great aspects of Substack I enjoy is that I can write wherever I go. So I’m sitting in a Starbucks on a wet Friday afternoon, and it’s really busy! One of the reasons why it’s so busy is because it’s also half-term and the schools are off and so yes all the mums are out with their kids. Dante never imagined this level of hell!
A couple of observations come to mind. Quite a few members of staff are obese. I’m not talking a little overweight- I’m talking a looming health emergency. I’m guessing they must consume a fair amount of Starbucks food and drink and if this is true then that should act as a real warning to customers. Checking the food offerings, and the tray bakes in particular, the amount of sugar and calories is unbelievable. Some people suggest that *sugar* is a driver of cancer and if there is truth in this (and I believe that there is) then Starbucks, amongst others, is offering their customers death by tray bake!
Which brings me to the actual customers. It’s a cross spectrum in here but mostly young families and couples. Starbucks offers instant gratification, which some of the beverages containing as much sugar as the tray bakes. Some of these folks must be imbibing 1000 calories+ as they sit and live the Starbucks dream. These coffee shops may be contributing to future health problems on a scale we don’t fully yet understand but there is no way this is healthy eating. It’s obvious.
As for me, I sit here with my decaffeinated black americano and wait for the rain to stop. Or the world to end. Whichever comes first!
Personally almost never visit such places, I hate the ambiance, noisy, sterile and expensive. I completely fail to see the attraction. Some such establishments also ban cash ! Definitely not for me.