Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Coffee Shop

These past three days around 2:00 p.m. I have walked to a great little coffee shop to study and do my homework. I love going there. It has a great ambiance and fun music. There are comfy leather chairs and bookshelves with a few books. They have a great menu and it is the only place I have been able to find a Chai Tea Latte. I love Chai Tea Lattes!
Some of you know that I worked at Starbucks before moving to Israel. When you work at Starbucks, one of the perks is getting to drink whatever you want while on the clock. I got addicted to the Chai Tea Latte. I like this drink either hot or cold, depending on the weather and I always added an extra pump of Chai and made it with nonfat milk. Needless to say, I have been having withdrawals since moving to Israel. Thanks to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, my withdrawals exist no more.
All this is to pose a question. Why are coffee shops and little cafes so cool? What gives them that great ambiance? Why do people flock to these places with their laptops and books? Why do we spend hours in these stores doing our homework, chatting with friends, surfing the web? Why do we spend $5.00 on a great cup of coffee? (Ok, I actually get a little annoyed when people say this to me. It's not accurate and I'm a faithful Starbucks employee....well, past employee who might go back to work there when she returns to the States. Sorry for the rabbit trail.)
If you are wondering if people participate in this activity in Israel as much as in the States, well, yes, and maybe even more so than in the States. But why? I don't really have any answers. Sorry. I really just want to know your thoughts on the subject. So let me know what you think.

p.s. I'd like to know what you think of the new look too? There are only so many choices!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the thing that made me a faithful Starbuck's customer was when we lived in Japan going to Starbucks was nostalgic....the smells, tastes, and sights would somehow remind me of the states. The menu was almost identical, so if I closed my eyes it would remind me of home.
By the way the voting thingy wasn't working.

Anonymous said...

The idea of "the third place" is an interesting theory on this exact topic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_Place It makes sense to me.

Tonya said...

Tina, I totally understand this and agree. This place I have been going to feels very American and I think that is part of the draw for me.
Daniel, "The Third Place" is a big thing with Starbucks too. We hope all of our customers want to be at SBUX when they are not at home or work. We try our best to create a welcoming atmosphere so that this is accomplished.
Good thoughts you two! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

"We," Tonya? Should I be worried? How do we deprogram you? :)

Tonya said...

Well Daniel, technically, I am still part of the team. Ok, maybe not technically but I have a job waiting for me when I get home so, I'm still loyal! And why is deprogaming necessary anyway? Seriously. You act like it's a bad thing. :)

Kris the Girl said...

I think the above answers are really good. That's what I like about coffee shops - there was a great one I frequented in high school against which I rate all other coffee shops. They had a leather, roll-up chessboard and other board games that were free for customer use, and nice, deep booths...it was a really great place to go and relax, but not spend a ton of money (like at a restaurant.) You could also be comfortable there solo, to do homework or read a book. I loved it.
Chain coffee shops will never match it, I'm sorry to say, but they're still nostalgic for me, and are a great "third place" to hang out with friends. :)

Natalie Witcher said...

mmmmm, coffee. JT was manager at a coffee shop in MO. Shops liket that just make me feel warm and happy. Yea Starbuck! oh, I like the look. Blue and brown, I might have to steal it.

Kim Heinecke said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kim Heinecke said...

1. Okay, I've got to get ANOTHER new look. This is a good one.

2. Coffee shops: They make you feel smart, the same way Barnes & Noble makes you feel smart. Soft music, rich aromas, fancy words for even the sizes of things...

It's all about your personal perceived intelligence. :) (sounds smart doesn't it? see, I drink coffee...)