Coffee Culture
One of the most charming things about Paris (and much of Europe) are the cafes. Armed with chairs facing the street, cafes are not just about eating, drinking and socializing, but most importantly, people watching. Time just seems to slow down.
I remember hearing when I was a student in Paris five years ago of the looming invasion of Starbucks. First there was one, and then there were a handful. I couldn’t help but cringe by the fact that their arrival – from the Fast Food Nation – could single handedly have the potential to change one of the best things about French culture. Until Starbucks, a coffee in a to-go cup was pretty much unheard of in France. But what would this do to cafe culture? (luckily, I think cafe culture has lived on, but now they’ve banned smoking in cafes…but that’s a whole other topic).
And as if there weren’t already a Starbucks on every American street corner, one of the reports I heard on the Today show this fall, was that the chain (who does do wonderful things, give employee benefits and practices good design) was set to double their locations. Ugh! What about the little guys and mom & pop shops? That being said, and maybe it’s just me, but I was so glad to see this article in the New York Times yesterday about a local Kansas City joint outlasting the neighboring Starbucks (which is set to close). Haven’t corporations heard about too much of a good thing, and more doesn’t necessarily make things better?
One thing is for sure- Starbucks are the best free public restrooms around!
Xander
February 1, 2008 at 11:31 am //
Starbucks briefly opened in Israel- but faced so much competition from local cafes that they were forced to shut down. In Turkey and Lebanon, however, they were quickly absorbed into the local cafe culture, and have become an extremely popular spot for the young cosmopolitan set to meet. Strange how there can be such different reactions and responses. -X
perfect bound
February 4, 2008 at 7:17 pm //
I always pick the local coffee shops over Starbucks. What are your favorite Baltimore spots? i used to frequent One World Cafe (near JHU) and Donna’s (in Mount Vernon.)
Prêt à Voyager
February 4, 2008 at 8:02 pm //
Funny you should say that. I live around the corner from One World. There’s a new one in the Ambassador called Chocolatea. I enjoy Koffee Therapy in Mt. Vernon, and always a fan of Common Ground in Hampden.
A
Wanderlust Woman
February 12, 2008 at 5:14 am //
Sadly, they were all around in Bangkok. But definitely try to the local coffee instead — much better!