Starbucks - Good Coffee, Awful Customers

On Saturday mornings I tool into town in Lola LeSabre and stop at the Orange Ave Starbucks on my way to Frontrunners. Today was a special treat.

1. The parking lot was full, drive through was slammed and a guy in a giant SUVwas blocking all access to any parking or the drive through line. I asked him to pull aside and let me by to more parking. His reply was "I'm waiting for someone." and he did not move. I insisted, he shrugged and did not move. I then told him my 43 year old car had plenty of scrapes and dings, and wouldn't mind a few more as edged it toward him. He muttered something under his breath and backed up just enough for me to get by.

2. As walked toward the store a woman was pulling up to the drive thru squawk box. Her head was hanging out reading the menu with cell phone in her ear. As I walked by she shouted. "Will you just shut up a minute Jeeze", then in a softer voice into her phone she just said, "God, when they want your order, they want your order."

3. As I went inside, the line was uncharacteristically very long. OK, I had a few minutes. But after a minute or two, I realized that the customer at the counter was in the middle of placing a giant order of complicated coffees (I take mine, black, no sugar, thank you). The barista was reading back - "OK the first 10 are; One - a half-caff-lo-fat frappicino with...." With at least 5 people ahead of me, I decided I did not have that much time and left.

4. As I walked back to Lola LeSabre, SUV guy had repositioned himself to again block all access, and was having yet another argument with someone who just wanted to park.

You know, I like Starbucks from time to time, but just don't want to be around the self absorbed jerks that simply must go there and nowhere else. I went across the street to McDonalds. Perfectly fine coffee and not a hint of snotty customers.