Starbucks Principle taken from 69, found in mobius forums.

not yet in the mood to really start posting my ideas and childish perspectives.. so here's a post taken from a friend just so this pathetic blog has something in it :) but surely my own posts would probably follow. Also I think this post is a year old or more already.. anyway just wanna share :P

Haven't you noticed how starbucks has taken the place of Megamall, Enchanted Kingom and Jollibee? Today, Starbucks spells gimmick. Suddenly, everyone is mad about coffee, and is willing to spend a whoping hundred bucks for "one tall mocha frappe please!" or "i'll have one grande iced coffee please!" Everyone claims its different, its something else, its to die for! instead of catching a nice flick at the cinema, the filipino's new idea of fun is to voluntarily park their buns at the cafe and gulp all the caffeine they can.No one knows exactly why starbucks has become the hot spot, when what they serve is just foamed blend 45 for crying out loud! oh, try pointing this out to Starbucks fanatics (i.e., the likes of teeny-boppers and kikay girls), and you can expect getting attacked on how little you know about coffee. Get ready with answers like, "duh!! Starbucks isn't just coffee! they're ground beans and processed chocolate and skimmed milk! What do u know about that?!"They have a point there, though, because even in the United states, when you talk about coffee, Starbucks comes first. Their ingredients are never questionable, and If im not mistaken, starbucks is an established-since-year brand. In short, Starbucks is the coffee authority. But it ends there. Starbucks is just plain coffee, PERIOD! Certainly not a gimmick place or some sort,not convincing enough as an alternative for the mall. This, I repeat, is the case in the United States.But Starbucks invades Manila and here it becomes an obsession. As you may have already seen, the interiors of Starbucks cafes are all designed to create a distinct ambiance. Notice from the italian-tiled flooring, to the cowboy-motif wallcovering, to the fancy lamps, tables, and chairs crafted like those only seen in home magazines. Of course, who would miss the complicated bar encounter, behind wich all the grinders and blenders are displayed as if to remind you they really do process your cappuccino.I mean, who can resist frequenting a posh place like this? Instead of worrying about other important things, the typical kikay teenager puts on her best dress, and with her kikay friends, goes straight to Starbucks where she orders "one tall caramel frappe please!"This takes time to prepare, which is fine. She feels rewarded by the fact that the ethical barista would shout her name across the room by the time her frappe is ready. After she claims it, she heads for the self-service corner where she takes excessive packets of extra sugar, extra cream, an inch thick of Starbucks tisuue paper for souvenir. Then she sits by the front window, hoping someone she knows would pass by and see her drinking expensive coffee. She takes remarkably small sips in order to prolong her stay, like a real smart-ass.During the entire process, there is the obligation flaunting of Nokia cellphones, the occasional eruptions of "yeah" and "sure" here and there. You get the impression everyone in the room is from conyo sector. Pathetic as it is, the Starbucks atmosphere is so contagious that it simply brings out the social climber in one.Mr. Starbucks is certainly not stupid! He is aware of the average Pinoy desire to be associated and considers among the elite because, well, in reality, the average Pinoy is farrr .. from being that.But when in Starbucks, the average pinoy is instantly made to feel she's in New York, or Las Vegas or Paris, or anywhere else but Manila -- one probable reason why we, filipinos buy this flick. We are total suckers for anything that is western in concept.In this age of harsh realities of poverty and chaos, anything that offers oblivion and temporary indulgence sells fast. no matter how costly it is.Starbucks is no longer than a coffee, Its already a religion wherein, we, filipinos practically worship that green logo with the exotic lady shows where we derived our strength to move on. It is from the promise of Starbucks every pay day.