A few days ago, I was in line at one of my many local Starbucks stores. There was a young woman ahead of me who was overly put together. Upon reaching the register, she ordered an "extra hot, venti, no foam, skinny, quad shot latte with two pumps of hazelnut syrup." Then she proceeded to argue with the barista regarding how much the concoction costs. It was very "LA Story."I found the whole episode both amusing and irritating. The amusing part was that the order was like a parody of a Starbucks order from Saturday Night Live. The irritating part was that it wasn't a parody, and she was holding up a long line and blocking me from my simple drink (a tall coffee). There also seemed to be a sense of arrogance and entitlement, as if the staff was there specifically to meet her exact and refined needs.
I've pondered my reaction to this seemingly innocuous incident and the deeper questions it raises. Am I overly impatient? What does it mean for Manhattan to be increasingly populated by affluent yuppies who can seem demanding and self-centered? Does having the ability to order such a drink represent possibility or a problem? Do I need a better drink that I can order at the Starbucks counter? Or will the economy force us all to start drinking black coffee from Dunkin' Donuts?
What do my readers think?
3 comments:
Unfortunately, its more likely to be your last point...we'll all be drinking Dunkin' Donuts or , more realistically, bringing a thermos from home. It's getting really bad...
I've learned not to be jealous about what high spending yuppies do...as frequently people's spending profiles do not equate to their income or wealth. The guy driving the fancy red Porsche is likely up to his ears in debt and makes 1/2 what you do. These folks are having their comeuppance now.
The book "The Millionaire Next Door" is interesting and instructive to read. Many of the wealthy are invisible - they are the folks with 10 year old cars and a cheap Timex watch who have saved all their lives.
Of course I am leaving aside the spiritual aspects of all this...we really don't know what is going on in this woman's life and we can't control it...we can only control ourselves, our actions and thoughts. Whether you believe in karma or the Triune God, I think the answer is the same: Do unto others.... and let the worries of the day be enough
It represents possibility -- the possibility that beverage invention is endless; the possibility that the woman will have a wakeup call and be humbled and humanized, if she wasn't already, later that day; the possibility that others were artistically inspired by her presence and behavior in addition to you; the possibility that on a bad day, I could be her, if I drank coffee and wore such clothing; the possibility that I have been her, more times than I'd like to admit, minus the jarring clothing....
Well, as a Southern California resident now I must take exception to this woman's cup of hubris being called a scene from LA Story. She sounds much more like a typical Manhattanite to me! =)
At a SoCal Starbucks it's more likely that Jeff Spicoli the Barista can't even get your simple Grande drip right because he's too busy texting or talking to his "bro's" about the "sick" waves. If the woman in your post ordered that drink at the S'bux down in Malibu she'd end up leaping over the counter and strangling him or her head would simply explode. Either way, everyone would be very entertained. And that's all that really matters in LA.
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