Starbucks' success is testament to our herd mentality's dominance over our tatses and common sense. The coffee is TERRIBLE, the stores are usually very dirty (unless they're brand new, of course), and the prices are outrageous for what you get (I'd expect to keep the spoon for those prices). Usually the customer service is pretty good. Unfortunately, even if you have a great experience with your server, you then have to turn around and deal with the idots around you...of course, if you're going to Starbucks, you may just fit in with the idiots.
Go local. There are so many cooler places to go than Starbucks.
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