I hate you Ipertz for reading my thoughts.

With apologies to Blur and Jars of Clay.

Monday night was TGIS night. Due to Loiza's call center career, the S in TGIS sometimes stands for Sunday and we sometimes become TGIM. Sundays, we go to Marbles to play billiards. Mondays, we meet up in the newly-opened Starbucks in Las Piñas. We used to hang in Figaro before that.

Mum has long found the idea of us staying in Starbucks till past midnight ridiculous. She would go on and on about wondering why I would spend a hundred pesos ++ on a cup of coffee and how a cup would take me at least three hours to consume. My answer would always be, "This is my generation. You wouldn't understand." Let's try to make her.

What is it about Starbucks? Why is it teeming with people at certain hours of the day, particularly at night? Why would anyone need coffee before going to sleep?

Coffee

Starbucks does have delicious coffee. They offer a flavor for your every mood. Even if you don't drink coffee, the aroma is like the serpent to Eve, tempting her to take a sip. They have the yummiest Belgian waffles heaped with whipped cream and your choice of topping. Their glazed doughnut for a measly price of P 25 is enough to satisfy your pastry fix. Need I describe their Chocolate Dome? Nah, if I do, you'd leave your seat and make a dash to the nearest Starbs. Now, this is beginning to sound like a free ad.

I didn't use to be a coffee lover. My system and caffeine didn't mesh well. Eventually, I got the hang of it. Now, I almost crave for a Grande Caramel Frappe once in a while. One Caramel Frappucino for Floi!

Sympathy

You would never see a person having coffee by himself in Starbucks. It's an idea which is almost impossible, like seeing a nun in a strip joint. That is one thing about Starbucks coffee - it is best enjoyed with conversation. Perhaps, it's the other way around. Conversation is quite enjoyable over Starbucks coffee. It's an if-and-only-if situation.

People who frequent Starbucks don't just go there for the coffee. They go there to unwind after a day's work, to catch up with old friends, to socialize, or simply just chill out. They go there for the place. They go there for the conversation. They go there for the sympathy. I myself can attest to how many times my world cleared up after hanging out at Starbucks with TGIS.

You don't just pay for the coffee. You pay for the place, the ambience, the company. When you look at it that way, isn't one hundred pesos money well spent?

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*.* as if! @ 1:33:00 PM • • RBJ