Oddly, I've never been to a Starbucks in the US, but I've been to the ones in Montreal, Geneva, Manchester, Prague, Helsinki, and other places in Europe (I've been collecting the You Are Here mug collection 🙈 ). I had no idea they *weren't* busy, vibrant places packed with people!
Great article! Here in Europe (both in Great Britain and in Germany) I feel that Starbucks have resumed their role as a „third place“, as they are usually frequented by groups of people socialising. And it probably helps that I like their coffee. When I lived in China twenty years ago, Starbucks was a life-saver, because it was one of the few places in which you could get (decent) coffee. And the mugs, too I´ve shifted from collecting he large ones to their espresso cups. On the other hand, there are lots of great local coffee shops as well, of course.
I’m not a fan of Starbucks, mostly because I don’t like their coffee. Our running club used to gather there after the Tuesday morning runs. Over time, the space became less welcoming—hard surfaces thst amplified noise, uncomfortable seating, awkwardly arranged. There’s a local coffee shop within walking distance of my house. It’s truly a third space: customers have gotten to know one another over time, the baristas are wonderful, they’ve improved the outside with plantings and a patio. And they have the best coffee in the county!
I enjoyed your perspective on Starbucks in Taiwan. You are correct about the drive through and app ordering here in the US. Once Starbucks removed all the furniture, what did they expect? The latest here is the class action lawsuit by Starbucks employees re: the new mandatory uniform for baristas.
This is great — thank you for the reminder. I’ll start noticing “third places” more closely as we travel. Sometimes ours is a pub in Ireland, sometimes a café in France, sometimes just the Airbnb balcony where we linger long enough to meet the neighbors.
I love how you tie it back to America too — maybe there’s still potential for us to return to community. Because the real trick isn’t the venue, it’s whether it slows you down long enough to belong.
An interesting analysis! For me the ideal coffee house would be place in which I can be myself (work/write) and, when the time is right, meet others.
Once in the U.S., I waited in a long line of customers who all ordered very complex, personalized drinks, and when it was my turn, I said: "Just a tall coffee, please." And the barista said: "I love you!"
(I can write an essay about what "I love you" means in different cultures—in the Netherlands no barista would ever say this to a stranger unless it was a genuine declaration of love.)
I go to Starbucks a couple of times a week here in an American college town. Great place to read and study. People are friendly, the coffee great.
I like to mix things up between Starbucks and local places.
Oddly, I've never been to a Starbucks in the US, but I've been to the ones in Montreal, Geneva, Manchester, Prague, Helsinki, and other places in Europe (I've been collecting the You Are Here mug collection 🙈 ). I had no idea they *weren't* busy, vibrant places packed with people!
Oh yeah, the Starbucks mugs. I forgot about those!
Great article! Here in Europe (both in Great Britain and in Germany) I feel that Starbucks have resumed their role as a „third place“, as they are usually frequented by groups of people socialising. And it probably helps that I like their coffee. When I lived in China twenty years ago, Starbucks was a life-saver, because it was one of the few places in which you could get (decent) coffee. And the mugs, too I´ve shifted from collecting he large ones to their espresso cups. On the other hand, there are lots of great local coffee shops as well, of course.
Thanks! In Taipei I tried to work in a couple of other coffee shops but it was soooo much easier in a Starbucks.
I’m not a fan of Starbucks, mostly because I don’t like their coffee. Our running club used to gather there after the Tuesday morning runs. Over time, the space became less welcoming—hard surfaces thst amplified noise, uncomfortable seating, awkwardly arranged. There’s a local coffee shop within walking distance of my house. It’s truly a third space: customers have gotten to know one another over time, the baristas are wonderful, they’ve improved the outside with plantings and a patio. And they have the best coffee in the county!
Yeah, if you don't like the coffee, then there isn't much else. I actually do like the coffee! 😎😎😎
Thanks for this Michael.
I enjoyed your perspective on Starbucks in Taiwan. You are correct about the drive through and app ordering here in the US. Once Starbucks removed all the furniture, what did they expect? The latest here is the class action lawsuit by Starbucks employees re: the new mandatory uniform for baristas.
This is great — thank you for the reminder. I’ll start noticing “third places” more closely as we travel. Sometimes ours is a pub in Ireland, sometimes a café in France, sometimes just the Airbnb balcony where we linger long enough to meet the neighbors.
I love how you tie it back to America too — maybe there’s still potential for us to return to community. Because the real trick isn’t the venue, it’s whether it slows you down long enough to belong.
An interesting analysis! For me the ideal coffee house would be place in which I can be myself (work/write) and, when the time is right, meet others.
Once in the U.S., I waited in a long line of customers who all ordered very complex, personalized drinks, and when it was my turn, I said: "Just a tall coffee, please." And the barista said: "I love you!"
(I can write an essay about what "I love you" means in different cultures—in the Netherlands no barista would ever say this to a stranger unless it was a genuine declaration of love.)