Starbucks in North Virginia is a popular gathering spot for immigrants

It's a place where Moroccans talk soccer scores, Egyptians discuss revolution and Somalis argue over politics -- all in a coffee chain store that's become an unlikely hangout for immigrants seeking the flavor of home. "As Muslims we don’t drink, we don’t go to the bar and hang out; we do this," says Abed Ellafdi, a construction worker who came from Morocco. WHAT KINDS OF GROUPS GATHER AT YOUR STARBUCKS? Are they welcome -- or are they an annoyance? Read "Immigrants gather at Starbucks for a taste of home"

Comments

[Crateish]

This is nice. These are good people who want a feeling of belonging. Starbucks are the closest thing we got to the cafes of Europe and the Middle East/Africa. You don't get this at McDonalds. Hook them with caffeine and welcome them to America.

[Jeff Tom]

The Starbucks at 23rd/Jackson in the Central District (Seattle) is a big gathering place for African Americans and Blacks in general. There is a high concentration of Ethiopians in the area, many of whom gather at the store, esepcially on the "patio" on dry days. It is interesting hearing the voices/dialects spoken on Sunday mornings! Plus the staff at that location kicks ass!

[drive]

What a sweet story.

Note how the Starbucks spokesbots use the word "miscommunication" whenever Starbucks does something offensive. So it was a "miscommunication" when the manager kicked out these paying customers.

[Jeff Tom]

No, it is not. It is miscommunication when one "barista" cannot pass along a simple drink order to another "barista", thus wasting everyone's time when the drink has to be re-made.

[Bill]

Why does Starbucks permit smoking on the patio?

I thought the non-smoking patios were a nationwide policy. Did I miss something?

[Midamasm]

@Bill....its not really a matter of allowing....we have a no-smoking sign up for the patio but unless we employee a partner to be the "patio police" its pretty hard to monitor.

[David]

My Starbucks in Moore, Oklahoma is a once monthly meeting place for a local deaf group. It's pretty cool to see a cafe of 40-50 people and have it almost completely silent.

[Bill]

You remind the people 5 or 6 times not to smoke and they will comply.

I feel bad for the pther customers who have come to expect a smoke-free environment.

If that happened at one of the stores in my area, I would be on the phone to Seattle everyday I wanted to patronize that store.

[Hirayuki]

Albanians. Albanians at just about every Starbucks in town, groups of young and middle-aged men that buy something out of the cooler case or a single espresso and sit there for hours.

I'm not bitter, no. Why do you ask?

[Time To GO!]

Nice story...disagree with @Crateish that Starbucks stores are similar to European cafes. Either you haven't been to Europe or to a major city in the United States. In New York, we have cafes which far trump the McDonalds like atmosphere of Starbucks. You can order a coffee quietly and someone friendly is on the receiving end of the order. You don't usually find that at Starbucks.

[G-man]

At my store, there is a international flight academy close by that hosts mostly japanese students. Its not uncommon to see massive rushes of people tnat speak japale who speak mostly japanese during the closing shift. I am the only guy at the store that speaks japanese at all. most of the customers that understand what I am saying, get a bit of a kick out of it. sort of a a reminder of home for them.

[RememberTheOldDays?]

Indians man, tons of Indians. All getting Tall chai's "extra hot" and an extra cup so their wife can have a sip or two since she's not allowed to speak or have her own drink. Nothing like a cafe reeking of B.O. for hours on end to make your other customers want to sit down and enjoy a beverage.

[Coco]

To "Remember The Old Days"....what a jerk you are.