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)
September 21, 2004
wow... we have no place to hang out anymore! so why does it matter if we hang out at a store thats PUBLIC!and we don't think it makes us cool because we can drink coffee! you are doing the SAME THING as we are!i'm sure everyone went out to starbucks brought a couple friends along. and ya if your a worker like someone said before they hate it because we make a mess. PART OF YOUR JOB IS CLEANING THE LOBBY! you don't get payed to stand there! thats why usually they have the people just starting out clean the lobby because they need to know if they'll complain about it or DO IT and do it right!
Posted by: brian | July 05, 2008 at 08:18 PM
i'm sorry but after reading all those comments i find it hard not to laugh at some of the people talking about how rude us teenagers are (and yes i am one) ya we will go to starbucks or any other store just to chill relax and have fun... ya sometimes we do make messes and piss the people around us but we don't mean it in any bad way we're just having fun and i'm sorry if hearing us laugh loud and having a good time bothers and pisses you off
but come on the stereotypes need to end.. not all teenagers are trouble and just because we were once doesn't mean we are always like that... i'm sure you guys would get pissed off if every time we saw an adult we thought you were some kid/teenager hater that has no real life and then write about it on tons of internet sites
well hope you guys can stop arguing about something sorta stupid when you think about it
peace out hommies
Posted by: teenager | October 27, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Ha. im 15 as well but unlike all the retard "teens" posting here, i agree with this post, most of my age group are retards who think everything in life is ust a next step to improve there social life. You cant even see distinctive personalitys in anyone anymore because of all there stupid trends. ACTUALY SAYING THAT YOUR UNIQUE HAS BECOME A TREND!!!! thats why i hate bieng referred to as a "teen" because it makes me sound like i wanna be part of that ridicoulous group of idiots. preteens are worse though i have to admit, they take the stereotypes much more seriously and do all of them just to become a "teen" and whats worse my little 9 year old sister acts like one just to impress my 11 year old sister and her friends. how i hate that wannabe. well im done ranting, feel a bit better now, im almost guaranteed thatt the next "teen" who posts is gonna be a retard so get ready for that. Bye :D
Posted by: Nave | December 28, 2008 at 12:30 PM
well i'm from the UK and i think that happens here too.. but i don't see the problem.. i'm 15, yeah i like coffee i also love my light coffee frapps...
but i make my coffees at home and buy my frapps at starbucks. besides that fact why would it matter if i didn't like an espresso or coffee? it makes no difference as long as i go there, get my drink and do whatever i want for the rest of the day. To be honest i believe that everyone has a right to go into a store and buy whatever they want without being judged or critisized..
this is such a ridiculous debate -(shame on you san jose!!)
Posted by: rimi a | January 10, 2009 at 02:10 AM
Wow! Most of you don't know half of what the hell you are talking about! It isn't wrong for teenagers to hang out at starbucks, and there is nothing wrong with them! Times are just changing, and drinking coffee is what teens do nowadays. Just because it is different from what we used to do doesn't mean it's wrong! You guys have no sense of acceptance...
Posted by: Zack | January 28, 2009 at 07:11 AM
whats wrong hanging out at starbucks? its not about being cool, its about the conducive environment that teens need in order to relax, study and take their mind off everything. if chaos dont reign, then i dont see a very significant problem then.
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Posted by: dissertation writing help | July 10, 2009 at 01:38 AM
Wow, none of you could be more wrong. I am a teenager and i freequntly hang out in starbucks and don't look for exception socially, or to "look cool". If your out, thirsty, need air-conditioner, or what not it's a great place to go. So get over your theories your WRONG
Posted by: alyseg | July 14, 2009 at 06:56 AM
srry that we actually found a place to hang out legally. people need to stop freaking its our place just as much as it is yours. just get over it
Posted by: natalie bartliff | October 16, 2009 at 11:56 PM
WE hang in starbucks because they do amazing hot chocolates, coffees, mochas and everything else thats hot and delish. We hang there because ireland is terrible for facilities for children so there isnt much else to do, so we sit in cafes and talk to each other and enjoy ourselves. we sit there because the chairs are confy, they have wireless, theyres always one near us and its a great place to meet friends. I love starbucks and i never pass up the chance to run in and buy a hot chocolate. there is absolutely NOTHING wrong withsitting in a coffee shop. how is it fine for business people to sit in a cafe, but if you see teenagers sitting in a cafe, there something wrong. theyre up to something. thats NOT TRUE!
we dont like sitting in a park cold or hanging around inside or outside shops, being glared at by passers by just because were not doing much. what do you want us to do?! there is nothing! are we supposed to lock ourselves up away from everyone so you cant see us until we are "business men and women"?! did you not have a place where u went to be away from the rain? away from the rush of crowds?
why is it that people of al ages EXCEPT people in their teenages can sit in a coffee shop. maybe listen to what youre saying and then maybe youll see how rediculous this sounds.
what are all the teens doing in Starbucks?!?!?!
the same reason YOU are!!!!!!! getting a hot drink and relaxing; its not a crime for a teenage boy or girl to get a drink is it? to be a customer?
do you not think teenagers ahve a bad enough time with the stress of school the emotions, the hormones, the change in our mentality and our physicality; you really think we need this?! wherever we go we have adults and elderly staring at us disaprovingly when we are doing NOTHING! yes i myself would stare disaprovingly if a group of teens were sitting in a dark alley drink alcohol and smoking and makinga mess. i myself do not drink or smoke and i am 16. i find it very offensive that on the way o work experience i pop into starbucks to get a coffee and i get stared at. people thinking i must b skipping school, ive got alcohol in my bag to put in my drink, ive got cigarettes hidden somewhere and will go soke them and cover the smell with coffee. we have a hard enough time without all of you being horrible and judging without knowing a damn thing.
i personally have a hard enough time without all of u making it worse with all this acusations.
please stop.
Posted by: Jen | November 15, 2009 at 02:18 PM
I don't get it... Why can't us teenagers hang out there? As long as we spend something which I will emphasize the fact that it's our overspending at your stupid coffee joint that FUNDS YOUR PAYCHECKS (for all the employees). I think that the fact that it bothers you is being immature... We have money, and we have a right to spend it wherever we want. And if we are spending it, we have to right to sit in the restaurant to enjoy it just like those sofa-hogging adults and old crusty men. You say it like we just walk in there, plop ourselves on the couches, and sit there. No, WE SPEND OUR MONEY THERE. The least you can do is maybe be thankful for the fact that we spend money there and give you more business. If the whole place was full of adults you'd be saying, wheres the teens at? Ugh it's this selfishness that makes me want to go to Seattle's Best for my fruity drinks with espresso mmmm.... And yes, I do enjoy espresso in it... I don't sit there and try to be cool by ordering some little fruit drink without coffee.
Posted by: Marissa | June 08, 2010 at 10:29 PM
i dont get it...what's the matter with hanging out in Starbucks..you don't own the place so stop whining..besides, i do believe that those who think it has something to do with status symbol, are those who go to Starbucks because they want to impress..it's simple. mind your own business..(and it would be better for you to put up a "no teens" cafe)
Posted by: speak | June 30, 2011 at 05:55 AM
ok you should be happy that kids are paying for your food!
there just sweet kids!!
gosh people get a heart
Posted by: agsa | October 25, 2011 at 05:49 PM
mark- when you were 30.. she wasnt born. dont do it
Posted by: hiya | October 25, 2011 at 05:50 PM
I agree that some teens do go over the top and can be a concern however I believe they are in the minority and we should not generalise all teens. We often forget that we where also teens once. I am about to open a coffeehouse and cafe myself and intend to conduct a survey with local high school teens to find out what they need in a social venue so I would love to know what appeals to the younger generation. What would you like to see in a coffeehouse/cafe? What things interest 15 to 18 year old today? What would appeal to your age group? Is there really that much difference in the needs of the teens of today and the teens of yesterday? Furthermore in regard to behaviour, I've meet some rude and obnoxious adults too that I'd liked to have shown the exit.
Anyway, I value your opinion so only sensible and helpful responses please.
Posted by: Linda | February 28, 2012 at 04:16 PM
I agree that some teens do go over the top and can be a concern however I believe they are in the minority and we should not generalise all teens. We often forget that we where also teens once. I am about to open a coffeehouse and cafe myself and intend to conduct a survey with local high school teens to find out what they need in a social venue so I would love to know what appeals to the younger generation. What would you like to see in a coffeehouse/cafe? What things interest 15 to 18 year old today? What would appeal to your age group? Is there really that much difference in the needs of the teens of today and the teens of yesterday? Furthermore in regard to behaviour, I've meet some rude and obnoxious adults too that I'd have liked to show the exit.
Anyway, I value your opinion so only sensible and helpful responses please.
Posted by: Linda | February 29, 2012 at 03:11 AM
That is not true. I am 13 yrs old and I am not a bratty artery clogging-frappuccino drinker at all. I get a venti caffe latte or sometimes a cappuccino and I do not giggle or leave my trash. I happen to be a good writer too and write a lot of stories there
Posted by: Jacob | April 10, 2012 at 07:02 PM
This is a little ridiculous if you ask me... I am a teenager, and I am also a Starbucks employee... Many teens hang out here simply because the coffee is good and it's a great hang out. Not only have I sat down with some friend's and drank some coffe at Starbuck's, but I regularily study before my shift... What's the difference between 40 year old women giggling and gossiping over a coffee vs. teen's doing the exact same thing? It definitely doesn't bother any of the employees! Theyr're always curtious and polite.
Posted by: Nic Olsen | April 10, 2012 at 08:22 PM
Um...because we can hang out wherever we want. We do happen to be people, too. We have the same rights. Last time I checked there wasn't a rule against teenagers coming into a buisness place. 2% of Starbucks's income is from teenagers so - although a small impact - we do make a dent. Calm down, old lady.
Posted by: Kc | July 14, 2013 at 08:20 PM