Why do *you* hate Starbucks?

I usually avoid the 'bucks, but J likes them, so we went there the other day. I had the dark cherry mocha one, but I really wanted an eggnogg latte, but none to be found  Anyways, they're playing christmas music and are too christmasy waaaaaaaaaay too early, so even J is boycotting them now. (Eggnog for me is a Thanksgiving thing, long family tradition)

No free WiFi.  'Nuff said.

No free WiFi.  'Nuff said.

'Nuff said, indeed!  When I first got my laptop I went into one just assuming it was all free WiFi at all the coffee shops.  Well I learned quickly!  It was really cool though re-discovering all the super cool independant places in Philadelphia and such a joy to be able to get online for free while relaxing with coffee and a yummy treat.

Its not the shops themselves that bother me but the people who feel a need to indentify with a room where people happen to serve a cup of liquid.... starbucks, costa, and "indie" shops alike.


It's coffee, for Christ's sake.

Yeah, who wants to identify with the typical S-bucks customer?

Obviously a lot of people are Starbucks customers; they make a lot of money.  I used to work in a Starbucks and most of regulars were pretty nice and an eclectic bunch. 

I prefer DD, but then they don't have seating. 

No more eggnog lattes.  Why?!  Well, I know why, they aren't popular here, but still.

I noticed this today!  It was my one source of eggnog in this benighted country.  Now I'm going to have to actually go look for an expat food store or something, since I'm not going to get back to the US this Christmas.  Whine, moan, etc.

On the positive side, one thing I really do like about Starbucks is that you can still get your coffee in a ceramic mug.  I think there's only one other place in my area where that is possible (Panera)  I really despise cardboard flavored coffee and much prefer to sit in the shop and enjoy it in a comfy chair rather than rushing off and slopping it all over myself in the car!  So, thank you Starbucks for that option.

I noticed this today!  It was my one source of eggnog in this benighted country.  Now I'm going to have to actually go look for an expat food store or something, since I'm not going to get back to the US this Christmas.  Whine, moan, etc.

They sell eggnog at my local Tesco in the foreign food section.  It is with the food from Jamaica and is in little juice boxes. 

They sell eggnog at my local Tesco in the foreign food section.  It is with the food from Jamaica and is in little juice boxes. 

It's so not the same thing though...

They sell eggnog at my local Tesco in the foreign food section.  It is with the food from Jamaica and is in little juice boxes. 

It really isn't the same and definitely does not make a good latte. 

I'm from Seattle, so I have to hate Starbucks.  But we're going home for Thanksgiving/wedding in two days and if they have those low fat caramel praline muffins again this year, my hatred might just melt away!

Also, what's with the lack of peppermint lattes/mochas in UK Starbucks?  I know they can't be doing away with them altogether this year - it's too much a fixture of the holiday menu (at least it was in the states).  Strange.

It's cherry mocha, toffeenut and gingerbread lattes for this xmas over here...Maybe the peppermint didnt sell very well!!!

And I was given a sample of the cherry at the weekend and it was awful

Chinese whispers are saying that the eggnog lattes are coming....

And I was given a sample of the cherry at the weekend and it was awful

I'm not surprised!  They didn't look very appetizing or very Christmas-ey.  We'll see what the selection's like in the States...