Coffee break- how to get a free drink in Starbucks
Have you ever noticed those black rubber mat thingies that are behind the counter in Starbucks, where the baristas work? They are about an inch thick and very spongy so I guess they both make standing on your feet for hours more bearable plus keep employees from slipping when the floor gets wet. Ever wonder where they clean them? Me neither, but I found out today. They wash them down and then pile them up on top of each other to dry, right in the path from the door to the order counter. You know, that path where every customer will trip over them. Like I did just now. I went sprawling ungracefully right in front of the counter. Ms. Manager was aghast at the legal implications of that fall but I was nice enough about it to get my drink comped. Nothing tastes better than a free cappuccino, well free beer would be right up there. This unexpected fall had me observing the goings on in the Starbucks and musing on different things. Read on if you care.
I visit Starbucks a lot and even though there is no written requirement anywhere I always buy a drink for my stay. I like the caffeine anyway. Today this guy walks in with his giant rolling laptop bag and moves right to the big laptop table. Pulls out a giant laptop from his giant laptop bag and begins to work away. He sets his gear up, visits the facilities, and then walks up to the counter. I figured he was going to purchase something but no, he just grabbed one of those little cups of free samples. So it’s bad enough he doesn’t buy anything, he gets free stuff and then does the unthinkable (to me). He asks them where the music is? See, this was one of those rare times when they weren’t playing any music at all. Sweet silence since no super loud music nobody wants to hear was playing. But that wasn’t good enough for this guy. If he’s going to use up their table space, buy nothing, and eat free food then he better have loud music playing.
To satisfy this non-customer they cranked up an entire CD of Shakira. Now, not to get Shakira fans all over me but Shakira without video is like Christmas without presents. Not a lot of substance there. She tries but her singing is fairly annoying. I don’t think anyone who attends her concerts are there for the music, the ones who say they are are lying. The guys, anyway. After 15 minutes of this I would have given the guy who requested the music a piece of my mind but he looked like an ex-Marine who could kick my butt in about 8 seconds. So I just worked in silence, trying to picture the Shakira videos in my mind. Sigh.
“So I just worked in silence, trying to picture the Shakira videos in my mind. Sigh.”
ROTF LOL
Mark
Hey CAPTCHA is working again! Since I moved to Vista, the TIP no long blocks the letters so I don’t mind it anymore.
Keep up the good work. I’ off to vote for MOTR at Podcast Alley.
Mark
Hey, that’s why the spam comments have stopped!
In such circumstances, it would surely be ethical to intercept the offender’s wifi traffic and do something disruptive. Maybe send a message saying: ‘I spat in those free samples you guzled.’
Forget the Shakira videos; I’m off to my Starbucks to move the mat thingies and stage a fall! Free coffee!
Could have been worse James. You could have had Rob Bushway in the facilities getting more toliet shots for his OQO. Man did anyone get a close look at that seat?
Good thing you didn’t have your drink in one hand and your UMPC in the other… otherwise a free coffee wouldn’t have been sufficient…
I love these Coffee-break posts! Is wifi free at the US Starbucks ? Here in Australia, Starbucks is charging 5$ for 15 minutes… I am in no wifi land! At least the lattes are good!
Great, now I have a Shakira song stuck in my head! Argggggghhhh…
I think Starbucks should lead the industry in offering free WiFi. I really don’t like their coffee and I’m not into the frappicino/latte/mochochino fancy stuff. I figure if they can’t get a basic cup of coffee right then that other stuff can’t be any good.
On the other hand, free wifi would get me in the door consistently for some of their tea (kinda hard to mess that up
I admit it. I love Shakira. And it’s honestly about 50-50 between her looks and her music. OK, maybe 60-40. 70-30 when she’s dancing.
If you want to hear her at her very best, however, try to find a song of hers called “Obtener un si”. It’s on her album “Fijacion Oral Vol. 1″. Completely different than any other song she has ever done, and one of my all-time favorite songs.
yesterday i went to starbucks and the barista asked me “can i get a drink started for you” i said “just give me a small coffee”. then she gave me a small chuckle. why? because i didn’t order a $4 drink or because i said small rather than “tall” and whats with those stupid names. tall/grande/venti?? wtf!
hey kendrick i always wanted to know why you use wifi at starbucks when you have 3g on your miyagi
Because WiFi is much faster and it’s there.
To complete the picture, I’ll bet this jamoke didn’t even use Starbuck’s wifi. He probably tied into an open network.
“Shakira without video is like Christmas without presents” Best. Burn. Ever. ROFL
“Shakira without video is like Christmas without presents”. Can I just say you are so busted!
not the GOOD LAPTOP TABLE! That is so uncool.