What are teenagers doing hanging out at Starbucks?

A writer froze in her tracks when she recently stepped into a Starbucks. "The entire establishment was jam-packed with teenagers. Giggling, gossiping teenagers clutching whipped cream-doused frappuccinos; shoving Business Week and the New York Times to the side in favor of the latest Abercrombie catalog. Where were the crotchety old men? The college students, the business people, the starving artists? ...When did kids begin to take over the place?" (San Jose Mercury News) | (Get a login/pw at bugmenot.com)

Comments

[OMG Barista Boi]

"Mark", do that sweet girl a favor and don't ask her out. It's creepy, and you're nearly illiterate.

This reminds me of a similar guy that frequents my store. He never buys anything, is always annoying the other customers, and makes one of my supervisors (a 23-year-old girl) extremely uncomfortable. He is always asking us when she works, has tried to ask her on dates, and has even gone through the trouble of finding out where she lives.

The service industry does not need people of this ilk. Our job is already rife with annoyances, and we don't need creepy old guys like "Mark" aggravating young girls.

[mark]

lol..thanks for the input OMG Barista BOI. Today I went into store and she gave me a halloween cookie, and said lets watch the OSU Mich game at Yogi's ( a local sports bar), next week. lol.....thanks for your advice soon to be OMG HOME DEPOT BOI!

[OMG Barista Boi]

Well, this pretty much confirms my suspicion that "Mark" is not who he says he is. Nobody over the age of 30 says "lol".

P.S. - "Home Depot"? Was that an attempt to be clever?

[littlebarista]

We have quite a few of those strange men that come in and ogle the baristas..Male and female....And, of course, we have the one customer who looks like she's tweaking out, and calls corporate everytime we run out of something from the pastry case. I am not kidding. It's a nightly occurence.
I think Seattle is tired of hearing some complaint about my store not having a Pumpkin Scone.

my advice if you're crushing on a barista:

well, it is our job to be friendly.
but we're also human beings who have feelings and can have crushes back...

if you can't tell the difference between friendly and interested, the rest of the advice won't help, but...

hang out in the store for a while. we take breaks about every 2 hours. if they are into you, they'll take a break with you... (make sure they know you're around - chat with them as they bus past your table).
then you can chat with them while they're on break, and you can see if they wanna go further.

unless they smoke, then break on the patio. unless it's snowing...then - you're outta luck!

good luck but do remember: it is our job to be friendly, so take no for an answer, and try to be un-creepy and light about it all...

i've never been offended to be asked out, flirted with or hit on at work ~ (in a light hearted way).
but i've been pissed when it's clear (in no uncertain terms) that i'm not interested, and it's not respected.

[mark]

Thank you for the intelligent reply. I am well respected in the store and most times have my "Tall" sitting on the counter by the register before Im half way into store. I am giving this a lot of time so that i know I dont insult or disrespect my "crush", nor embarrass myelf. She has invited me to watch a football game in a few weeks at a local sports bar, that I take as a good sign. I am not the "creepy" type and would never go against the wishes of anyone's no, never mind a female barista. thanks again for the intelligent thougts. Mark

[SSMarcus]

This is why I'm glad my wife picked out a shiny wedding ring for me. It makes it easy to flash at somebody if I think they're getting a little overly-friendly when I'm behind the counter. :) And while I'm glad to see this turn into a relationship advice forum, I do have a comment about the original subject.

Yes, 11-15 year-olds can be annoying. But so can the 40-something business people who leave their trash all over the tables instead of putting it in one of the four trash cans they pass by on the way to the door. You know what? On a bad day, anyone can be annoying. But it's my job to offer legendary service, and doing so to people who suck is difficult sometimes. Still, I'm getting paid twice what I was getting paid to be a resident assistant in college, so I'll put on my smile and make the extra-caramel frapp for the eleven-year-old with the gigantic sunglasses and the from-the-bottle tan. And you know what? I'll even put a little extra whip on there, because she'll appreciate that, and maybe if she sees someone doing something nice, she'll be encouraged to do that, too. I know, I know, human nature is to be stupid, ignorant, and self-indulgent at others' expense, but hey, I bet that kid will be a better person if I'm nice to her than if I act pissed off and grind my teeth every time she walks into my store.

Just saying.

[Ryan]

Starbucks is where teens belong. Don't be surprised if you find the place packed with teens-we can't drink champagne, so coffee will have to do.

[pix]

me, myself am a teenager and we don't just hang out in starbucks for 'frappicino's' as many of you have stated. Okay maybe in the summer we drink them but don't tell me you have never had one? exactly and in the winter we do actually drink coffee not because it's 'cool' or to be socially accepted but you will find the people who do drink coffee are not the 'chavs' usually and why we don't hang out in maccy D's is 'cos it's not a nice place to be.
any it's acceptable for british kids to be hanging in coffee shops and drinking coffee it's what your ment to do. and 7/11's don't exist in Britain so i mean there are how many starbucks in the world ...and there isn't room for some kids to hang out. Generations change and just 'cos your older now you think you can be like yeah little kids. go visit the theatre or a musuem if your that bothered or hang out in garfunkels

[soy_latte]

There's a group of adults who hang out at my store, nearly every morning, and are total farking slobs and are LOUD. It's great that they're giving us business and all but for once I'd like to hear them shut up a little and maybe put their trash in the garbage that they're sitting right next to.

Frapuccinos aside, the teenagers aren't so bad compared to them. Most of the crazy ass messes we clean up around here are due to the adults.

[Ally]

I'm a senior in High School and every day when I get off work at six I head to starbucks where I do my work until it closes. I love starbucks, and I couldn't care less that it is an icon.
I used to hang out at the coffee shop down the street from school, with the custom drinks, bright colors, small tables, and lack of green aprons. But their drinks were even more expensive than starbucks, the tables too small, and the staff was rude.
So I moved, and I am so happy I did. I love everyone who works at my Starbucks. I know everyone who closes by name, and their schedules. They give me free drinks when I've had a bad day. And I buy more than enough the rest of the time to make up for it.
And I think your stereotypes of teenagers are a little misguided (though I make them too). I have only set foot inside one Abercrombie in my life. And when I pick up the paper I don't head for the comics, I like the world and the opinions section.
I also drink frapoccinos. More importantly I drink green tea frapoccinos. No coffee for me. Does that mean that I shouldn't hang out at starbucks?

Well, I have to go back to work so that I can go to starbucks tonight.

[NewShift]

Ally, thank you for saying, "couldn't care less" instead of the more common and irritatingly incorrect "could care less."

That's all. Cheers!

[Margie]

I work at a starbucks right next to a high school. The kids hang out, some times get kicked out (and come back when they can control themselves better), but mostly are just fine. I used to hang out at my local cafe (this was pre-starbucks, if you can believe there was such a time), and see nothing wrong with it at all.

Why is there the idea that kids should be somehow segregated from society- do you want them to just hide? I say let them hang out as long as they're behaving with some decorum.

Oh, and we also employ a few of the kids in the area, and sometimes they're the most mature folks on shift!

I am pro-kids, and don't care if they drink coffee or not- most of them are wonderful and welcome.

[tulsabarista]

jeeze. i just threw up a little in my mouth. you people make me sick. im 18. i work for starbucks. ive worked at starbucks for almost 8 months now. i used to always be at starbucks. hanging out, talking with friends, or just sitting and watching the world go by. we've got JESSE whining about teens "hogging all the seats". c'mon, are you in first grade? what the hell, grow up. then weve got some other a-hole with no name claiming teens hang out there to be socially accepted. and that person claims to work for starbucks. hhmmm. ive picked up shifts to 6 different stores. at almost every one of them i have noticed that the majority of the business coming in the stores are people usually between the ages of 15 and 25. the older crowd has nothing to do except sit around and chat about how we are putting all the mom and pop coffee shop out of business. or as JESSE would say, hogging all of the business. haha. and i can bet you $30 dollars that if some person saw a 3 or 4 teens loitering around a convenience store then that person would probably call the police. so why dont you all just get your pink flowery panties out of your crack and cheer up and stop bitching so much. you were a teen once. so stop bitching.

[Elena]

being a teen i can easily answer this question. teens (even me) think that its cool to go inot starbucks sit on the big comfy couches and sip their coffe. The reason for this is it makes them feel older and more mature.

[zac]

dumbasses u guys r dumb we dont go to starbucks to look kool we just go cause they hav drinks and stuff we like. thats y i hate old white people and women cause they always think there too good but U KNOW THE FOK WAT BITCH UR NOT y shouldnt we go to starbucks???i hate coffe but i go for the food?/shakes...i bet u this person that asked this DUMD ASSSSSS question was some old white fool who no1 likes but he thinks everyone likes him...we go because we like thier bevrages ....jesus

[anonymous]

My friends and I (high schoolers) go to Starbucks all the time. Not for frappuccinos or to get on people's nerves by littering and not ordering anything, but to drink good coffee and hang out. Yes, I said hang out. We're not preteens, and we're not obnoxiously giggly/annoying. Actually, we're caffeine addicts. I usually go to Starbucks with 2 of my best friends, one of which likes caffeine almost as much as I do. The other also enjoys coffee but doesn't drink it every day like I do. I guess I'm just trying to say that not all teenagers who go to Starbucks are annoying and immature, but do actually go to drink coffee, chat, and maybe even buy a cd every once in a while.

Send them to the public library. We'd love to have them.

[david]

Wow, nice one Elena sure made us teenagers look sophisticated.

[david]

Or was it Zac, well either way. I dont live in America, but i enjoy going to Starbucks, im 16 and one night i went with my girlfriend and we both got coffees and just talked about music, life and goals. I should think parents prefer us to do that other than what the norm of drunken teenagers are doing.

[rachel]

I see no problem with teenagers hanging out at starbucks. A major reason is that it's way better than them going out to parties and getting hammered, that's a bigger problem. There are such bigger problems in the world other than teenagers hangin out at safe places. Plus starbucks is getting a lot more business, so why complain.

[Reba]

Im 13 and I do go to starbucks for iced vanilla lates, iced mochas, and the occasional frapiccino. I understand that there are kids that go there because they see it as a "cool" place to go, but i go with my friends, and we dont "hang out" there, if we wanna hang out we take our drinks and go to a pizzarea or something, we only stay there if we are studying. Sometimes I get offended when I go in with my friend peyton, since we get stares, and laughed at by the guy with the New York Times. And come one, what 13 yr old girl is going to read the NY times? We want a sugary drink and to read our Cosmo Girl. Better than the shady areas around town that we could hang out at, do drugs and that will be the future of america. So please kids hanging out at starbucks is not the worst thing to happen. And if you noticed the kids going there arent screaming and running around. Thanks for your time :)

[Yulia]

I am a high school junior and although not really a coffee addict, love to hang out at Starbucks. Living on my budget I obviously can't afford going to Starbucks every day like the stuck-up brats at my high school flashing their non-fat no whip venti frapps in my face. When I go to Starbucks, it is usually for a treat. Once every two, three weeks if I'm lucky. We sit in the corner with my friends and just relax. I love the atmosphere of the place, the taste of hot mocha in my mouth and the great company of my friends. People forget sometimes that not all teenagers are the "Ohmigod!" gossipping Abercrombie-types. Some of use are actually decent and intelligent human beings. Thanks for reading.

[manolo]

if teens knew that starbucks only wants their bucks, maybe they would hangout at a REAL place. Starbucks does not want to hire teens, starbucks employees make fun of them and laugh
all the way to be bank, at how they are creating addicts.

[Kelsie]

I agree with Rachel. Being a 13 year old, we don't have many places to hang out. We can't go to clubs, bars, and other places for people 18 and older. And as people may have said, we don't go to Starbucks to look "cool". We go there because we like the drinks, and it's a great place to catch up on homework. That's all there is to it. It's not to look older and try to seem "chic". Also, why do some of the older crowds seem offended? When you give us a great place to hang out and be ourselves, we'll move out of your precious Starbucks, but until that day happens, you'll have to live with us. It's not like we wreak havoc amongst the people who try to have a cup a' Joe. Anyway, all I'm trying to say is what's so bad about teens having a good time and studying? Thanks for your time.

[Ryno]

I think that teenagers hanging out at Starbucks is a great thing. There is not one thing wrong with teenagers being seen at a Starbucks. It is a whole lot better seeing them at a Starbucks than to be at a party drinking alcohol on the weekend. Teenagers should be pushed to go to places like Starbucks so it will keep them from going to places that they sholdn't go. I think it is great and I love to see teenagers in Starbucks.

[Kittymoose]

I'm 18, and I work at a Starbucks in a mall. We do get a lot of really annoying customers, but not all of them are teenagers.

I used to hang out at the local cafe all the time when I was 14 and up. It was a really great atmostphere, but sadly, they went out of business. (And no, not because of Starbucks).

I love going and "hanging out" at the 24 hour store in the area. I'm a night owl, and I write my best papers at 2 am, surrounded by other students, sipping my complicated drink, listening to mellow music. No, its not to feel trendy. Its just a nice place to go.

And to be honest, I can understand where a lot of teens are coming from. There really aren't many places to go in my city if you're underage.

[Tim.]

So what if some teenagers like to hang out in starbucks?
Barely any really do.
I would hardly call it taking over just because acouple enjoy coffee.

and saying that a bunch of teenagers hanging out in starbucks is taking over is as bad as 'Oh theres a bunch of black people in Starbucks. They must be taking over.'

Discriminatory Bastards.

[Roxanne]

since when was it a crime for teens to have NORMAL human rights, hmmmm?

so what if we get to live the 'high' life too?

[Narcissa]

Since when was it so wrong for teens to hang out at Starbucks?
Okay, so some teens just walk in, making a huge racket, don't order anything and take up space, or they DO order (let's say a pastry) and most of their pastry ends up on the floor.
But there are still the quiet, respective teens that actually know how to compose themselves in public places, and don't make a mess as if they have no manners.
So just know that you can't just see a group of teens walk in and say something like, "Oh boy, here comes another batch of them..." because we're NOT all like that! We're customers too, you know. If you're a regular there, then suck it up or don't go back, and if you work there, grow up and deal with it, or just quit.

[Moogy]

I would just like to say that I am not so far off from teenager, and I just started drinking starbucks very recently. Guess what? My favourite drink is a tall caramel frap with a cream base, and extra shot of caramel, whip, and extra drizzle. I like it because it tastes like ice cream. Deal with it.

On another note... I have seen a single adult sit at a table with a paper and $2 coffee and just READ for 45 minutes while people are waiting for tables. Is this rude? I don't think so, and it isn't any worse than kids coming in and talking at a table.

Also, not hanging out at one place or another simple BECAUSE you think it's a "status" symbol, is just as bad as doing it for the same reason. Get what I am saying?
"I don't go to Starbucks because it is a symbol of commercial bla bla bla.... stick it to the man" (and I am sorry, that is a HUGE generalisation. I know you don't all think that way...)
THAT is just as bad as "I hang out at starbucks because it is cool."
You care just as much about your image as the other person.

WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG :P

Seriously though. Why can't we all just go into whatever beverage-related establishment we feel like, and order what we think is tasty, without people judging?

The stomach knows not commercial.

[Greg]

Would you rather they do drugs and be "criminals" or be safe and out of trouble hanging out together at the Starbucks. The same people bitching about them being in Starbucks are the same people bitching about todays youth. So here they are hanging out, together, in a safe environment and you are still criticizing. Y'all are just hypocrites.

[globie]

star bucks is coooooooooool??? yea

[Bobbi]

If we let you hang out at Starbucks, will you promise to learn to use proper:
* grammar,
* paragraph structure,
* punctuation,
* capitalization, &
* spelling?

Just like the big girls & boys do . . . .

[pplRweird]

why do u ppl care where we hang out??
its better than hanging out at gas stations or riding bikes around causing trouble!! so cut it out stop being so nosy. ppstt jeez!
NO OFFENSE but it DOES get annoying when teens (me) r accused of hanging out somewhere. get lifes. SORY IF IT AFFENDS ANYBODY...

[Aiden Boccou]

just let people do the shit they want to do and go were they want to go

As a teen,i know why teens hang out at Starbucks.A lot of us aren't trying to fit in or be more like adults. Why would you want to be an adult when you have the ability to do anything you want as a child? I don't see the point in that. But, we are sugar rushed all the time like all of you once were. We like the hint of coffee taste in the pure sugar we drink without having it ruin it. The real question is, Why would Starbucks make Frapps in the first place if you don't want teens to go there? Frapps are obviously directed to us, with all of the diabetic older people, who else would it be pointed to? I don't hang out there myself, but i do love the taste of Frapps. And all of you should stop steriotyping teenagers like we're all sex crazed, bar hoping, fashion addicted freaks. The only reason they're like that is because of comments like you're making.

[CapLover]

I hate the pre-adult phase. Turning 19 and finishing highschool.

I do disagree with teens having to trash the place and take all the chairs for hours. I don't understand why someone would think a caramel frapp makes them any better then everyone else?

When I go to starbucks I order double nonfat sugar-free vanilla latte or cappuccinos. Sit down and read the news, text on my cell phone, or finish up on school work. I am mostly alone, maybe with a friend.

[sharon]

When I see kids hanging out at Starbucks, I'm happy for them. It is so much better than hanging out on a street corner. Shame on the complainers.

[AJ]

I'm 16 and I don't usually hang out at Starbucks because I prefer other, local coffee shops (that usually have better coffee, anyway). The truth is, Starbucks gets a lot of money from teens, and if you are addicted to it now then you probably drank it when you were a teen, too.

Yes, teens tend to be a little louder than most adults who go in with their laptops and order skim lattes, but there is no rule against laughing and talking with your friends in a coffee shop. If you want it to be silent, go to the library! I am more annoyed by the stuck up, corporate old men who scowl at me while I sit down with a friend and talk quietly over a couple of lattes than I am by the giggling group of preteen girls who order venti mocha frapps, are always in a good mood and are never rude to me.

Frapps are lame. Kids like sugar. They'll grow out of it.

Adults are just as capable of being assholes as teens are. You can see proof by reading this forum.

Maybe kids should be raised in a world where they are accepted and respected by those around one instead of one that rejects them and gives them no better place to hang out than on the streets or at sleazy parties?

Everyone should have a safe place to go away from home, and Starbucks is just as good a place as any to hang out after school.

I hope everyone can learn to be a little more open minded and remember how annoying they were themselves as teens.

And by the way, the only kids hanging out outside 7/11 are waiting for someone who will buy them cigarettes. They'd probably be better off in Starbucks, annoying or not.

[????????]

I agree with what AJ has posted. I am currently employed at a starbucks and see this all the time. Teenagers are in my store every single night. Yes at times they can get a bit loud but I go over them and tell them to keep it down. Im not rude about it, they deserve the same respect I'd give to an adult. Im not a teenager, but I do remember being one. As a parent Im sure you would be a little bit at ease knowing that your child isn't doing any harm when they are out and about. Its good to know that they are sitting at a coffee shop talking with their friends staying out of trouble. I think over the time Ive worked at the store I am currently employed at now, Ive seen more rude and inconsiderate adults then teenagers. They seem to think that because Im serving them coffee and ringing them up at a register they are better then me. Im a full time college student, living on my own, working 2 jobs to make a life for myself, I manage to smile and conversate with every person that comes into the store. This last comment is for all of you cranky, rude, ignorant starbucks customers, ITS JUST A CUP OF COFFEE!!!!!!

[emelda]

I think it's funny to read the high schoolers comments. They try to sound so educated and articulate.

Personally the only thing that annoys me about the kids in my store is the whining. We have a lot of really loud and whiney kids in this town apparently.

That and the fact that they don't know how to use the trashcan.

[Shellie]

"What are teenagers doing hanging out at Starbucks?"
I almost forgot the topic of this article after all the comments.

To start things off, do you enjoy your job? If any adult complains over something like this is acting very immaturely themselves. Think about it: you get paid and you work for something you love (I hope). All you have to do is provide coffee and friendly customer service. Who cares about teens coming in to your shop thinking they're the sh*t. They have the money. If that's what it takes to keep business going, why not suggest a pastry or two for them? It's their money after all right? Teens love to splurge! All you should really care about is doing your job and trying to earn your Starbucks big bucks.

It IS annoying having to pick up after them but just remember, you WERE a teen at some point. They'll grow up eventually and even work at a Starbucks and complain about the same exact thing you're complaining about.

Seriously, grow up.

I don't mean to diss either teen or adult but just think about the business involved. More money made = more money for you.

What justice would it make if I asked, "What are teenagers doing hanging out at the mall?" If I was an employee a t the mall complaining about the many teens shopping at my store and being loud and obnoxious, maybe I shouldn't work there right? Similar situation! It's something that can't be stopped.

I'm a teen working at a bakery and sadly put, all I care about is making more money for the store. So I don't care what type of person walks in. I just need great customer service skills and the ability to upsell. It makes your customer feel good when they leave, it makes your manager feel good that you were able to bring in the $$$, and it makes yourself feel good that you could get a fat raise soon.

All in all, quit complaining and do your job. If not, QUIT. That's life so deal with it.

[Lily]

uhh actualy i am a teenager and where else do you want us to kick it at? I mean i know its pretty packed with stupid ditzy girls and there boyfriends but its nothing to be complaining about. Its like saying why adults go to clubs. We are not trying to be cool or social accepted we just like coffee and we like to hang out wit our friends. nothing wrong with dat.

[verniltabeam]

Apparently, none of you have ever worked at a starbucks located near a theater and had to deal with the friday night and saturday night teeniebopper traffic. None of us hate kids. We like kids. Well behaved ones.

I HATE the teens that come to our store because they destroy EVERYTHING. Our sugar packets and napkins are everywhere, frappuccinos are thrown on the windows, chairs are everywhere and our older regulars storm out because all you teenagers are so damned loud and obnoxious.

Oh, and it's NOT "frapp". I HATE when people say "frapp". It's frappuccino. You don't sound cool or anything if you say "frapp".

[Sabrina]

Good lord - the kidlets sure get indignant (or is it "1ndgnint" for some of the clearly illiterate adolescent posters?). Could you at least mix it up a little w/your comments? All of your whiny posts defending your maturity sound the same!!! Say something interesting. I prefer the goof balls mentioned by a barista earlier, the ones that use the names Thing One & Thing Two for when their drinks are called, over these "mature beyond their years" teenage posters. Total drags. Who cares if you're a diligent student who likes the jazz music in SB? Buy your drinks w/ or w/o coffee & do your thing. Try not to trash the store or take up valuable real estate & most of the barista's negative comments will not be directed towards you. People are people. Some will stereotype you as a waste of SB space, sloppy, squatter teenager no matter what. Others will take you as the individual that you are. Get over yourselves, though. You don't need to prove your maturity on this post.

[savanna]

what is so wrong with them hanging out there. it may be odd but why do u guys care so much. personally i would rather my kid hang out at a nice place like starbucks where at least i know she is safe. these days teens cant hangout out anywhere especially behind 7 11's because of the large amounts of rapists and etc... this world isnt like what it used to be. think of when you were in your teen years. we used to go out skating EVERY NIGHT and be able to go where we wanted without having to worry. times have changed and we all have no choice but to get used to it. so i dont think there is a problem what so ever with teens hanging out at starbucks.

[savanna]

what is so wrong with them hanging out there. it may be odd but why do u guys care so much. personally i would rather my kid hang out at a nice place like starbucks where at least i know she is safe. these days teens cant hangout out anywhere especially behind 7 11's because of the large amounts of rapists and etc... this world isnt like what it used to be. think of when you were in your teen years. we used to go out skating EVERY NIGHT and be able to go where we wanted without having to worry. times have changed and we all have no choice but to get used to it. so i dont think there is a problem what so ever with teens hanging out at starbucks.

[rob]

My store is in the middle of no where in the high deserst and yet we still get the teens.

yes they get frappucinos, but they're teenagers? their diets consist of salt and sugar. what else are they going to get? dont bash them because they actually order something that they like (that honestly was most likely specifically produced and geared toward them). those things are $4 a cup. let freedom ring.

we have hundreds of stuck up annoying customers. and all of them are adults. you've all got it wrong.
its the stupid lady who screams that she wants a...

grande chai, with 8 pumps, no water, extra hot, non fat, no foam, nutmeg sprinkels, double cupped

all so fast that i all i can hear is a deafening raucous bird. and when i poltely ask her to repeat it back, because i only caught 11 of the 29 modifiers, she rolls her eyes at me, scoffs, makes a face and whines "well you must be new."

new to bitch language.

ps what about those college students who are supposed to be so much better? the next time i get a 20 year old asking for a hot sleeve for a venti frappuccino, ill lose my mind.

[Hannah loves Bux]

I'm eighteen and live in a rich white area.
We have several Starbucks in the neighborhood, but only one that people hang out at. We sit and chill out sometimes until two or three in the morning just talking and having a good time.
WalMart happens to be about a two minute walk away, so we often go buy a frisbee or a soccer ball and play with it in the Starbucks parking lot.
People dance out in the lot, sit by their cars and talk, or walk around and see friends.

Really, we just don't have anywhere else to go.
I love to hang out at Starbucks because I know that at least one of my friends will always be there if I'm bored.

Plus, we're like a little family.
The people that work there recognize the "Bux kids" and give us discounts or drinks on the house. Also, they give us their leftover pastries when they are about to close.

It's really nice.

Sure, I guess there are some kids that fit the stereotype of ordering sugery drinks, wearing the skinny jeans, and thinking they're so much cooler by drinking a widely recognized product.
I used to think the same thing about Starbucks. "Why would ANYONE go there for so long? It sounds so boring and it's full of all those whiny scene kids!"
But once you make friends there and get to know everyone, it's really hard to stay away.

Often, we just park our cars at Starbucks and then carpool to the bowling alley, Waffle House, or somewhere else in the area.
Bux is just a place to meet up, hang out, and cool down.
It's a nice end to a long day of work, let me tell you!