My Starbucks— the one I go to most frequently— is one of the largest I've ever been in. I don't know if they intentionally built it big because it was the first (or nearly the first) one in town and/or because it is very close to the local University (UC San Bernardino). Regardless, it is a good thing they built it big because it is rarely less than half full. Half full at this location would easily over-fill most other Starbucks stores.
It's hard to go in there and not see four, five, or more laptops in use. There are a dozen small tables scattered about and a few larger tables, as well as the obligatory Ikea-esque sofa set. (There are another eight to ten table outside outside, and they are frequently filled too, especially in the evenings, when it's cooler.) Scattered amongst all the indoor tables, I am aware of four standard electrical outlets— 'standard' as in accommodating two plugs each. There are a couple areas where I suspect more outlets may exist, but I've never sat in these areas to check them out.
The laptops, as you may correctly assume, jockey for spots near the outlets. I know that my own laptop would easily stay powered were I to use it for two hours there without it being plugged in, but, like everyone else, I wish to maintain it at peak power for those times when I absolutely have to run it without external power. My own preferred seat is in the front windows, immediately next to the pastry shelves. It's an uncommonly exposed spot for someone like me who prefers to remain unexposed, but I don't go to Starbucks to view things on my computer that I would be embarrassed to be seen viewing. The spot is also uncomfortably near the register, and sometimes the line backs up close to this table. These conditions I can put up with because there is an outlet further back— one that I never have to share because there are no other tables further back, just employee stuff. It's also a high table so I can dangle my feet and legs if I like, and the table top is just big enough for my laptop, a book, and a drink. Unless, the inside is very, very crowded, I don't have to worry about sharing the table with anyone. In addition, this seems to be the last table chosen most days, meaning that it is almost always available for me.
Imagine my consternation today when I walked in and saw one of the other regulars sitting at my table. I've never talked to him, but he seems a nice guy. He's young and is almost always doing some programming or graphic work on his laptop. I've seen him talk to many of the other regulars so I know he's well known. I'm sure he sat at my table today because he found his top choices all taken when he arrived.
With my preferred table taken, I had to start eying other spots. Fortunately, there were a few to choose from so, after getting my iced tea, I headed back to the laptop ghetto. In the laptop ghetto there are several small tables, seating for one or two each, and several outlets as well. I've never seen a power issue back there. I chose the table in the very corner— it's an obtuse angle so it's not like sitting in a real corner— and immediately discovered a bit of a problem with the power on this occasion. There were outlets on the wall in front of me and behind me, but they were both monopolized. Behind me a pair of laptops filled the outlet, and in front of me, a young man had parked himself immediately on top of the outlet without using it, guaranteeing my his proximity that no one else could use it without disturbing him. As he was reading aloud to himself from a worn bible, no one was disturbing him. Yes, aloud. (Although, he was doing so quietly, not intending to get in any one's face. I gathered that reading was not in his comfort zone.)
So, I was left to run my power cord to the outlet in the floor between all of our tables. There was already one other laptop plugged in there. I figured that laptop was being used unmolested by anyone tripping over the cord so I should be fine to do so as well. (And, in fact, no one did trip over it.) This situation left me nervous, however, and I was constantly making sure that anyone walking through did not trip. This constant checking made my C# study session less than fully productive.
About an hour into my studies, another regular made his way back to the laptop ghetto. This regular is an old man. He is always carrying a Starbucks drink, but I never see him actually purchase one. I don't know if he's just filling a used Starbucks cup at home or if he's buying his drinks elsewhere or if he's so stealthy that I'm just missing seeing him at the counter. He shambles slowly through the store, and he always talks to a few of the other regulars. (I'm not regular enough to garner attention, I imagine.) When he entered today, a trio of women, one of them sporting a baby in her arms, had sat down a few tables behind me. (That socket having become available a short time earlier.) Next to the floor outlet was a large table, big enough for four, and completely open. The old man, having passed by and spoken with some of the others, saw the baby and decided he needed to have a grandfatherly moment. So, he came shambling back, entranced by the infant. In his arms was a short stack of books and notebooks as well as a latte-colored drink in a large cup with a popped off lid. As the infant consumed more of his attention, his drink tilted further and further off vertical and was nearly at 45° when he began dribbling it on the floor. Naturally, he was passing over my power cord at the time. Fortunately, he was a good 18 inches from the floor outlet with his mess. I was about to say something when one of the women called his attention to the drink, and he righted it.
Having now made a mess on the floor, he decided that he would have a sit down at the empty four-seater table. With four chairs and four sides available to him, he naturally chose to sit at the chair immediately adjacent to the floor outlet. With a few adjustments to his seating he managed to entangle both power cords in the outlet around the legs of his chair, all the while uncognizant of the outlet and the power cords. By this time, I was so concerned that something was going to happen to him or my power cord that I could barely focus on my text book. With a great deal of relief on my part, though, he only sat down for 5 to 10 minutes. When he left, my power cord was damp but otherwise unmolested. I returned to my studies for another 15 minutes until he returned and resumed his former position. At this point, I was too nervous and packed up my laptop. I had to use a napkin to thoroughly dry off the cord so that I didn't pack it away with a sticky sweet Starbucks beverage on it.
When I left, my table was still occupied by the younger guy. I've never seen him come or go. He must spend hours and hours there.
Now who would have thought I could get a full miniature essay out of my seating choice at Starbucks today?
See you soon!
"Starbucks says they are going to start putting religious quotes on cups. The very first one will say, 'Jesus! This cup is expensive!'"— Conan O'Brien
Posts
