The City Runs on Starbucks

This morning I had an 8:30am meeting on Houston. It was such a beautiful spring day, that after the meeting I decided to walk the long way to the 6 train and stop for a Starbucks ice coffee. I was excited to see a long Starbucks line that snaked around the entrance to the coffee shop. The Astor Place Starbucks has huge windows that wrap around the shop and because it is close to NYU, I always find tons of wonderfully weird people who make me smile. As I stood in line, an employee with a headset walked from person to person taking orders and requesting drinks through his headset. “Double tall, extra hot, no foam, skim, latte for Sarah”, he said into his microphone attached to his head. Then he would move on to the next person as the barrister was busy filling the orders.

I love New Yorkers addicted to their liquid caffeine breakfast. And I love how the Starbucks employees created a drive through for people instead of cars to quickly fulfill their coffee addiction.

I loved watching the people waiting in line. They were all trying to rush through the line on their blackberries and ipods. All of them too busy to stop and appreciate the line. I think most people looking on would be turned off by this hectic chaotic Starbucks. I found it refreshing. That's what this city is about. People trying to get as much done, make as much money, and network with as many people possible in 24 hours.

My lesson of the day: This city only moves as fast as the Starbucks line.