# I pit Ethos water (Starbucks) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 4, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821 "2007-12-04T19:59:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/41 "2007-12-05T17:21:46Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] So you wouldn’t have a problem if I went door to door broadcasting that I’m on a mission to cure diabetes. To do so I am selling $1 boxes of stationary for $5. For every box I sell I’m giving 10 cents to the diabetes charity. The other $3.90 I’m keeping for myself. Doesn’t that sound a bit unethical even if I tell you how it works? [/QUOTE] I see what you’re saying, but I don’t think that naming their water “Ethos” necessarily implies a not-for-profit committment. I think what they are trying to do is imply that their water is more ethical than _other_ bottled waters, and maybe that they run an ethical business in general, not that the sole purpose of selling the water is to raise money for thirsty children. ---
**Author:** ![Elret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Elret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elret)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/42 "2007-12-05T17:46:53Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] I see what you’re saying, but I don’t think that naming their water “Ethos” necessarily implies a not-for-profit committment. I think what they are trying to do is imply that their water is more ethical than _other_ bottled waters, and maybe that they run an ethical business in general, not that the sole purpose of selling the water is to raise money for thirsty children. [/QUOTE] Exactly. Starbucks quite clearly is a for-profit business, its primary goal is to make money. On one of the products they sell, _for profit just like the rest of the products they sell at their for-profit establishment_, they will make a small donation to the kids and their water. If their mission statement was primarily to raise money for clean water, then you might have a point. But their mission is to make money on coffee and beverages and pastries. Oh, and if you buy that bottle of water, they’ll donate a nickel. I am really not seeing what is bad in any way here. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/43 "2007-12-05T18:29:22Z")
I want to question who thinks Starbucks even ought to be charging a $1.50 or $1.75 or whatever the hell they charge. Frankly, Starbucks couldn’t make a decent cup of coffee if it hit them in the skull. Their coffee is an abomination unto man. It is made drinkable solely but adding immense amounts of gunk to cover the nasty, burned, dreary taste. Additionally, while some of their pastry products are nice, the majority are dry, tasteless crap. Believe me, you are better off going to a place which serves 75 cent coffee and doughnuts. If you want to blow your money on double mocha cafe whip hazelnut shot expressor, then Starbucks away. I do like their speciality non-coffee drinks, like the hot chocolate and cider. Both are very good. But their actual coffee is _horrible_. Their tea blows. I’d rather have a cheap cup of Nestea than their “real tea”… which they hand you in a teabag. :rolleyes: I remember wanting some fruit juice late at night. Since our university sold out to Starbucks, you can’t get anything (I had no cash, so no vending machine) late except at their riduclous prices. Some decent fruit juice set me back _four dollars_ (and 15 cents). And I had to pay, because there was nothing else open and the university took out the free student drinks (including coffee and - my favorite - tea) so Starbucks could rack in the $$. ---
**Author:** ![ThatDuckIsEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@ThatDuckIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThatDuckIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/44 "2007-12-05T19:09:08Z")
I’ll continue the hijack and second **smilingbandit** on the crappy pastries (because I dont drink coffee). It’s time for the horrible Snowmen cut-out cookies to rear their ugly heads. It’s like eating a hockey puck thats been laquered with bathtub enamel. Bad snowman! Bad! And why did the Caramel Apple Cider need changed to Caramel Apple Spice? Is that not cider I’m drinking anymore? WTF is it then?! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/45 "2007-12-05T19:27:59Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] By paying $3.75 for something I can get for a buck and a half. [/QUOTE] I’d genuinely like to know where you can get an iced espresso drink for a buck and a half, because I’d like to give them my business. Sorry- I don’t like plain hot coffee. Hate me, call me classless, whatever. I like espresso in all forms, though- particularly iced with a bit of chocolate, but that’s just me. And even then, my tall, iced, non fat (I’m allergic to whole milk, you see- I’m not some dirty yuppie) mocha is a whopping $2.75. If I liked regular coffee, I could spend a buck and a quarter and get some- I dont, though. Yes, if you want a 24 ounce (Venti) blended mocha with chocolate chips, it will cost you almost 4 dollars. It also has 600 calories and 23 grams of fat. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/46 "2007-12-05T19:32:55Z")
[QUOTE=Hamadryad] It baffles me that people think Starbucks coffee is **good** , since I think it tastes burnt and bitter,\* but whatever bloats your foat. \*I like strong coffee. There’s a difference between “strong” and “god, what IS this piss?” [/QUOTE] [Cook’s Illustrated](http://www.cooksillustrated.com/bookstore.asp) did a taste test of coffee a while back. The editor was somewhat chargined when his favorite (Bigbucks) came in something like 6th place when tasted black. After adding milk\*, it “opened” up the flavor of the Bigbucks coffee and it came in first. So if you are a black coffee drinker you probably don’t like Bigbucks. If you add milk or creme, you may prefer it. \*translation= read diluted ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/47 "2007-12-05T20:00:57Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] [Cook’s Illustrated](http://www.cooksillustrated.com/bookstore.asp) did a taste test of coffee a while back. The editor was somewhat chargined when his favorite (Bigbucks) came in something like 6th place when tasted black. After adding milk\*, it “opened” up the flavor of the Bigbucks coffee and it came in first. So if you are a black coffee drinker you probably don’t like Bigbucks. If you add milk or creme, you may prefer it. [/QUOTE] I would be one of the milk/cream adders. I realized a long time ago that I don’t really like coffee…I like cream and sugar. Coffee is just an effective, socially acceptable delivery system for them. ---
**Author:** ![NightRabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbce88/32.png) [@NightRabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NightRabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/48 "2007-12-05T20:01:37Z")
[QUOTE=Slypork] I refuse to go to Starfucks and spend outrageous prices for a Grande Mocha Whips-and-Chains with extra Wombat Sweat topping or whatever the fuck the yuppie assholes and primadonna bitches are ordering. [/QUOTE] YOU are the height of stupidity. OP: “Starbucks is a bastard because their charity water is false advertising!” **Slypork** : “Starbucks coffee sucks and everyone who drinks it is a goddamn money-wasting yuppie!” Um, great! No one cares about your opinions on people who like Starbucks coffee. That’s not what this is about. Open up a new thread if you just want to bitch about yuppies and the coffee they buy. Asshole. (edited- spelling mistake) ---
**Author:** ![NightRabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbce88/32.png) [@NightRabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NightRabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/49 "2007-12-05T20:06:54Z")
Meanwhile, in response to the OP, I think it’s awful that marketers these days can tap into some “global awareness” guilt that most people have festering behind their skulls, and likewise tap into the idiocy that people will feel good about themselves if WHAT THEY WOULD DO ANYWAY will ambiguously help someone in another country. Maybe it doesn’t count as charity if YOU WOULD DO IT ANYWAY? Maybe you don’t deserve to feel like you’re donating anything if it’s WHAT YOU WOULD DO ANYWAY? How about making an effort to help people before you pat yourself on the back for being such a GLOBALLY-AWARE person? Not that this is what the OP is doing, but I love how people like to claim how much they help the environment or hunger or whatever when it’s really only foolish susceptibility to marketing and not really any positive thought or action originating on their part whatsoever. This is the only reason that Starbucks can even get away with “Ethos” water. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/50 "2007-12-05T20:22:42Z")
How about this: why don’t we find out exactly how much money Starbucks has contributed through their campaign with the water? My searching skills are weak, but surely someone can do better than I can. The fact is though, that whatever Starbucks gives- under whatever pretense they use- is vastly more than all of us combined. I guarantee my previous statement is true, unless Warren Buffet is posting here secretly or something. So, why be up in arms about it? Giving is giving, regardless of the motivation. I suppose if you believe that the ends don’t justify the means, there wont be any changing your mind. But surely Starbucks has helped at least someone. I’ll believe different when there are numbers saying otherwise. Oh, and as was previously mentioned: Starbucks will give you a HUGE thing of water for free if you just ask. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/51 "2007-12-05T20:28:27Z")
Starbucks acquired Ethos in (I think) 2005. Meaning that in five years the company plans to donate $10 million. Sure, I guess that is a drop in the Starbucks bucket, but it’s still a ton of money. [From here](http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/mar2006/pi20060322_252796.htm) > [@](#): > > That new market reach translated to more than just sales. It helps Ethos realize its underlying mission: to help children around the world get clean water. For every bottle that Ethos sells, Starbucks donates five cents toward solving the world water crisis, with the goal of donating $10 million by 2010. Also, the Starbucks buyout allowed the original founders of the water brand to do other projects: > [@](#): > > Greenblatt: One of the biggest advantages of the relationship has been our ability to scale our work. Soon after we closed the deal, we announced a $250,000 grant to fund water-related projects in Ethiopia. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/52 "2007-12-05T21:02:00Z")
I’d just like to point out – if your wife didn’t – that not only did you get ass-raped for that water, but the water itself tastes like it was used to do the ass-raping. It is seriously nasty water. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/53 "2007-12-05T21:53:05Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] …a fucking nickel goes to thirsty kids worldwide… [/QUOTE] Kids who, I’d like to point out, wouldn’t be thirsty if they had just listened to mom and had a glass of water before we started driving to grandma’s in the first place, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/54 "2007-12-05T22:07:14Z")
Starbucks is unionized, so I don’t mind going there when it’s the closest place around, even though their drip coffee definitely is not the best. (It’s better than 7-11. I’ve never tried Dunkin’ Donuts; I hear they’re trying to cut into Starbucks’ business by upgrading the quality.) If I really need to go somewhere for a cup of coffee, and if there’s a local coffee house around, though, I’ll go there, because the coffee is generally better and about the same price. Otherwise, most of the time I brew my own coffee at home in the morning and put it in a thermos which I take around. It saves money and allows me to have better coffee than the lousy office stuff. While the mark-up Starbucks makes on drip coffee must be pretty large, most people don’t go to Starbucks for drip coffee. They make most of their money from the fancy hot liquid candy stuff. That, and coffee “paraphernalia.” ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/55 "2007-12-05T23:36:52Z")
[QUOTE=NightRabbit] No one cares about your opinions on people who like Starbucks coffee. [/QUOTE] You might want to count again, Toots. At least three other people have also expressed opinions, pro or con, as to the quality of Starbuck’s coffee. OTOH, no one wants to hear the thread police bitch about other people discussing a tangentially-related side issue. It ain’t your thread, so stuff it. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/56 "2007-12-05T23:54:54Z")
> [@NightRabbit](#): > > No one cares about your opinions on people who like Starbucks coffee [QUOTE=Q.E.D.] You might want to count again, Toots. At least three other people have also expressed opinions, pro or con, as to the quality of Starbuck’s coffee. [/QUOTE] Quality of coffee, not of people. As a Starbucks-lover, I’ll admit their drip coffee is awful. That’s okay - I like espresso drinks better anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/57 "2007-12-06T00:15:17Z")
[QUOTE=Helen’s Eidolon] Quality of coffee, not of people. [/QUOTE] True, but he also indirectly addressed the quality of the coffee, too. Now, if someone wants to slam him for the _rest_ of his post (which was idiotic, no question), I have no problem with that. Someone must have dropped a case of bottled water on his head when he was a kid–which explains at least two things, here. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/58 "2007-12-06T00:16:06Z")
The problem with Starbucks is not that you’re paying $3.50 for a cup of foamy coffee, it’s that you’re paying $3.50 for a cup of foamy coffee that takes very little skill to make, from a minimum-wage employee with little to no experience as a barista. Go to a decent local coffeehouse and you can spend the same $3.50 for a cup of foamy coffee prepared by an actual barista. > [@Aioua](#): > > There aren’t a lot of places you can go and hang out for four hours after only spending four dollars. That is what starbucks is selling, not coffee. Oh, you’re having trouble finding a decent local coffeehouse where you can go and hang out for a few hours in Seattle? (And no, Starbucks doesn’t count as “local”, as it’s run by some asshat in an expensive suit who probably drives a Jaguar and would be rich no matter where he parked his corporate HQ, not by a small business owner who’s trying to offer something interesting and novel.) Here, I’ll help you. I’ll even highlight the comments your fellow Seattlites made about the atmosphere at some nice local places: [Espresso Vivace Roasteria Cafe](http://www.yelp.com/biz/espresso-vivace-roasteria-cafe-seattle#hrid:bwKTo4e_W5r1jKgw8JQhiQ/query:latte%20-starbucks) in Capitol Hill. > [@Yelpers](#): > > cindy w. says: “I like the **chess games available** for people to leisurely play while getting caffeinated.” > > Phil H. says: “I come here every week, and I can’t get enough of their White Velvet. Even when it’s super-busy they always take the time to make the fancy latt art leaves and swirls. Highly recommended.” > > Heather D. says: "Best espresso in Seattle. Absolutely the best. " [Caffe Senso Unico](http://www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-senso-unico-seattle#hrid:3F9MQx8y773ePODI-jbgKw/query:senso%20unico) on Olive Way: > [@Yelpers](#): > > Ben M. says: " **I really enjoy the ambience here.** Mario, the owner, is “Italian Gentlemen” others have referred to. He’s an affable sort, and is almost constantly chittering away in Italian. Usually to himself, but still, it’s charming. **The art on the walls** is refreshed every few weeks, usually with local photographers and the occasional painter. It tends to be food and/or Italy oriented, which just continues to lend to **the atmosphere**. > > But on to the good stuff… The espresso is fabulous. Their roast seems to be on the flavorful side of a darker medium, which is my favorite. The americanos are served at the perfect temperature, not quite so hot that I can’t start drinking it right away." > > Natalie W. says: “I am so glad this place is near my work. There are 2 Starbucks’ in my building, which I was only frequenting out of sheer desperation. One morning I stopped into this little place and discovered the smoothest, most delicious latte I’d had in awhile. … I love to look at the **Italian magazines, Russian chocolates and European chochkies they sell. The man running the place is very pleasant and makes cool designs in the foam of your drink. I love this place.** Also cheaper than major coffee chains.” > > Michael O. says: "The coffee here is superb. I admit to being a bit of a coffee snob and this is some of the best coffee in Seattle in my opinion. The place is owned and run by an Italian gentleman who used to work for Torrefazione and in fact the caffe is in the same location as an old Torrefazione Italia coffee shop. > > Just as I know a Chinese restaurant is good if I see real Chinese people as customers, I know a coffee shop is good if I see real Italians as customers and **it’s not uncommon to hear the patrons speaking in Italian here.** The mochas here use unsweetened real chocolate and are quite good (you sweeten them yourself to taste). > > Tell them you want your coffee ‘for here’ and sit and drink it out of **imported Deruta Italian pottery…"** [Caffe Umbria](http://www.yelp.com/biz/LYjeKWZaYL4YydQQ8Vhrqg#hrid:R2KXlcwVTqERQ7coGFrV9w/query:umbria) in Pioneer Square: > [@Yelpers](#): > > Melissa A. says: “I don’t know a lot about coffee, but Caffee Umbria has some of the best coffee I have ever tasted outside of Europe. Cappuccinos are wonderful-even a non-fat one is frothy and creamy. The whole atmosphere will have you feeling like you are in Italy. There is outside seating on the walkway under the trees, perfect for people watching. **Very cute, a great place to relax and pretend you are on vacation** , even if for a few moments. :)” > > Jeff M. says: “This is a great coffee shop. With Zeitgeist , Starbucks, and Tully’s just around the corner they set themselves apart with **atmosphere** , quality coffee, and greate service. Plus their gelatto is to die for.” > > Alexis P. says: "this place is AWESOME! > my mom, my sisters and I somehow stumbled upon this place when we were just venturing around in pioneer square, looking at art galleries. > > When we went there, they had **live jazz music, which was grrrrrrreat.** … There were some other people in the cafe **listening to live jazz and drinking wine, and they looked like they were having a good time**. So i presume if you’re into that, this would be a great place for it!" [Espresso Vivace Alley 24]([http://www.yelp.com/biz/CKegZ\_jUIjFljgICvH6cXQ#hrid:QxS2IYVE0RuFI2xeiE\_Peg/query:latte%20-starbucks\](http://www.yelp.com/biz/CKegZ_jUIjFljgICvH6cXQ#hrid:QxS2IYVE0RuFI2xeiE_Peg/query:latte%20-starbucks%5C)) on Yale Ave N: > [@Yelpers](#): > > Damian W. says: “I love Vivace. The lattes are incredible and they make Starbucks look like fast-food. The place sees a lot of traffic being next door to REI, but **there always seems to be a place to sit, relax, and spread your things out on**. Listen, you haven’t tried a Seattle latte until you have been to Vivace.” > > Blake D. says: "I’ve recently moved from the Greenlake area to Downtown so I’ve been on the hunt for a new “coffee shop”. The place that I can get serious work done on my computer or **have a chat with a friend at**. Vivace and especially Vivace Alley 24 provide an amazing cup of coffee as well as **a great environment that’s never too crowded.** > > **The space is great** , there is **a quiet room** for when you really need to get work done and **an open space with tables in which to have discussions**." > > Maria C. says: " > So I go for a job interview in the same building as this Vivace. I think to myself, if it goes well I’ll treat myself. I exit the building slightly shaking because I think it went well and I really want the job and what if they don’t want me and I really need the job and I really like the people, and did they like me too, enough to hire me, and it’s really hard to be that upbeat and positive for 45 minutes, and come up with an answer for that damn question: what are your weaknesses? > > Well, good espresso is my weakness, and while downing a 16 oz. iced soy latte didn’t do anything for the shakes, it certainly made me feel better. I’ve never had Vivace coffee. I get it now. That was a damn fine latte. While I wouldn’t be working in the building very often, it’s nice to know it’s there when I do drop by. At 4 in the afternoon **there were plenty of places to sit and I like the open, airy atmosphere as well as tables on the sidewalk** across from the manufactured REI wilderness. Did I say damn fine coffee? I get it." [Caffe Ladro](http://www.yelp.com/biz/JVLjt9DogQCczsQNKYMPgg#hrid:NJ5xivSvfGY3fP7tRGpAaA/query:latte%20-starbucks) in Queen Anne: > [@Yelpers](#): > > Mike P. says: “I found this great coffeehouse chain by accident. It was located about a block or so from the hotel I stayed at in Seattle. Great coffee, **great amtosphere** (I had coffee, juice, and croissants on two of the mornings that I was here), **really shows off the vibe of the great Queen Anne neighborhood**. I dig the orange walls too! Didn’t have time to see there other locations but I will definitely return here again on my next trip to Seattle.This is what coffeehouses used to be like in Chicago! **The even serve you coffee in a mug! Cool!** ” [Bauhaus Books & Coffee](http://www.yelp.com/biz/bauhaus-books-and-coffee-seattle#hrid:ykI65hFy5npuPAPznmi8NQ/query:latte%20-starbucks) on E Pine St: > [@Yelpers](#): > > edward p. says: “What do I like about this place? **The space for one.** Even though other reviewers say the tables are too close together **I never felt too cramped in this place** , maybe beacuse of the high ceilings and large windows. Yeah the **staff may be a little laid back** , but hey this is Seattle, **who’s in a rush**? **They don’t kick you out after you’ve finished your coffee so you can sit there, enjoy your book and watch the world go by.** Next time I’m in Seattle I’m there.” > > kurt m. says: “ **The atmosphere and the fact that there’s an upstairs where one can get away from a lot of distractions is also very nice.** ” > > Jeff G. says: “I’ve been coming here since they actually really sold books here. This is one of the grand old dames of the Seattle Coffee House scene and it still has all the **class and charm** that it had way back when. **The upstairs area is one of the best “hang” spaces of any coffee house in town and, oh man, what a view of downtown and the Space Needle.** ” > > Jason M. says: "\*\*Bauhaus is as much a state of mind as it is a place to get a cup of coffee. Walking in the front door, the architecture and spatial design immediately overwhelm the senses, visually at first, then through the wonderful aroma of fresh ground. As you look up and left towards the expansive bookcase, the world seems a little less stressful and you begin the descent into contemplation. \*\* > > Don’t let ordering stress you out, fire up a large coffee and then find a comfortable spot to people watch for a few minutes. The lattes are great too, but in my opinion violate the purity of the institution. If you brought a laptop, take it out of your backpack, remove the battery and pretend you never heard of wi-fi. **Crack open something to read (book, magazine, ingredients on cereal, whatever) and really savor the great scene, awesome coffee and everything that inspires you.** > > If you’re looking for a shiny happy barista and fancy beverages, try Starbucks or SBC. If you want some angst, a little grit and **a place to spend 30 mins enjoying the wonders of caffeinated beverages as you find your center in the world** , hit Bauhuas." You’re probably right, though, there aren’t too many places in Seattle where you can go and hang out for a few hours. Maybe I just got lucky that the first six places I found sounded like that. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/59 "2007-12-06T00:24:40Z")
**Hostile Dialect** , your post was missing several [/quote] tags which is why it showed up blank. I put them back where I thought they should go, let me know if they need to be moved. ---
**Author:** ![Aioua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@Aioua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aioua)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821/60 "2007-12-06T03:26:17Z")
[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect] The problem with Starbucks is not that you’re paying $3.50 for a cup of foamy coffee, it’s that you’re paying $3.50 for a cup of foamy coffee that takes very little skill to make, from a minimum-wage employee with little to no experience as a barista. Go to a decent local coffeehouse and you can spend the same $3.50 for a cup of foamy coffee prepared by an actual barista. Oh, you’re having trouble finding a decent local coffeehouse where you can go and hang out for a few hours in Seattle? (And no, Starbucks doesn’t count as “local”, as it’s run by some asshat in an expensive suit who probably drives a Jaguar and would be rich no matter where he parked his corporate HQ, not by a small business owner who’s trying to offer something interesting and novel.) Here, I’ll help you. I’ll even highlight the comments your fellow Seattlites made about the atmosphere at some nice local places: […] You’re probably right, though, there aren’t too many places in Seattle where you can go and hang out for a few hours. Maybe I just got lucky that the first six places I found sounded like that. [/QUOTE] Oi. First of all, starbucks employees are neither paid minimum wage nor inexperienced. I have three friends who work for them right now. Also, around here there are plenty of wannabe baristas and about a million espresso stands, so starbucks has plenty of experienced people to choose from. And where did I say that starbucks was the only coffeeshop, ever? I know what a coffeeshop is. I was trying to explain to the other posters who seemed to think the only thing you got for your 3.50 was a cup a coffee. I’m sorry I said “starbucks” instead of “starbucks and your other local coffeeshops”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-ethos-water-starbucks/428821.md?page=4)