On a recent trip to “the Big Apple” I discovered the convenience of having a Starbucks café on nearly every street corner of downtown Manhattan. As the weather was mixed it was good to know that there was a safe haven around whenever one needed it. Though the heating did not work properly in all of them and not all of them had a restroom, if one made sure about these requisits, one could spend an agreeable time with cheap coffee (1,20 EURO the smallest one, paradoxically called “tall”), sometimes even seated on comfortable armchairs, watching people. As they offer free wireless internet access, one could learn about the types of laptop computers now “en vogue” and especially see which types of cell phones the locals use: basically Blackberries and phones by other brands that are emulating these, i.e. have a keyboard for comfortable text-messaging. Probably our favorite Starbucks was near Cooper Union, with another one near Columbus Square a close second. I observed Asian-American students discussing a passage from scripture: one with a traditional Bible in front of her, the other with the text on her cell phone screen. Other students tasting cup cakes that one of them brought with her from another store. Some even studied. People in danger of becoming homeless and / or alcoholics sleeping in a corner or with their head bend down touching the table or a note pad in front of them. At some establishments sleeping was tolerated, at others they were woken up by staff. If one doesn’t fall asleep, nobody cares about how long one stays, and there are refills at half the price if you keep your cup. Some people might critizice that they provide only unisex bathrooms. And I would recommend a better waste management, i.e. selection and recycling of plastics.
No comments:
Post a Comment