Starbucks - The American Dream?

I've been neglecting my blog lately. I have to say it's not because I've not found anything funny or annoying to write about, because trust me, I have. Only a couple of weeks ago I got stuck stood up on the train from Leeds to Castleford (I'm now jinxed when it comes to public transport thanks to Charlotte) inbetween a chav with a bike, playing noise, sorry music, from his phone while holding it next to his ear (I know not many of these types have qualifications but their stupidity amazes me) and an extremely overweight couple eating eachothers faces. It was probably the worst position I have ever been in, in my life. To top it off, when the train turned a corner or jerked, the fat man leaned into me, while still necking his girlfriend. So now I was TOUCHING the couple practically having sex. Her chubby fingers didn't even reach around his back! The only way to get away from the whales was to move closer to the chav, which he decided to take as me enjoying his music and proceeded to turn it up and hold the phone closer to me. Only in Cas. Welcome home Bec!

Right, today my sister told me she had a couple of hours to kill inbetween classes at Uni, so I told her I'd meet her at Starbucks in town. Why I still choose to go there while I'm a typical skint student to buy a £9 coffee is beyond me. It must have something to do with the American dream. They lure you in, I swear! You even have to practice what you want before you order, there are that many options! So I go in, my sister is already there having bagged the comfy seats. (It goes without saying, these are the seats you want. You go and buy a cup of tea and then make yourself at home on a sofa... JUST STAY IN!) I go up to the counter to order and I know what's coming. No matter how many times I practice this, I ALWAYS say Thai Chi Latte instead of Chai Tea. I wouldn't really mind. I'm not easily embarrassed. It's an easy mistake to make. However... every single time I have said it wrong, no matter which Starbucks I've been in, or who has served me, the barista suddenly ERUPTS into fits of laughter. Okay, I know you've all been taught to be happy happy like the Americans and treat your customers like they are the only person on the planet, but seriously, spare me the fake laughter. It does my head in. I'm not trying to be funny. I find it hard to say. Get over it.

I finally get my CHAI TEA LATTE and go and sit opposite my sister. The relaxing Starbucks atmosphere evaporates. Next to my sister a partially blind woman sits down with a guide dog that, due to being 'on her break' (How does she know? Does she clock out?) proceeds to act like a nuisance. Then a woman, her friend and her daughter join us. The downfall of the comfy seats is that if you're wanting a private chat, the sofas are almost set in a circle and so Starbucks etiquette means you'll be sharing the space with people you may or may not wish to. The little girl strikes up a conversation with the blind woman about the dog. (The glory of young children being that they will say whatever they think.) I quickly notice she's saved a (very hot) guy in the corner from hearing the woman's life story, while the dog lays at his feet. He carries on doing what he's doing on his laptop, hopelessly trying to avoid the woman's questions, as the dog gets up and tries to eat everything on the table - the women's frappucinos, left over muffins, napkins. I find myself just watching the situation, amused that I'm not smack in the middle of it. Poor guy. As the blind woman keeps apologising to hot guy for the dog, the child keeps asking the blind woman everything about the dog, the childs mum keeps telling her daughter off and the dog carries on eating the leftovers. Thank God I have an overpriced latte to keep me occupied. The madness did, however, give me countless opportunities to catch hot guys eye and smile/laugh/cringe at his situation. I was happy to leave the chaos when it was time for Sarah to go back to Uni. As for hot guy, he waved his phone at me, followed me out, asked for my number and asked me out for a drink the very same night. Result! I LOVE STARBUCKS!