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Coffee shops. Do you hate them?

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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
Not a big coffee fan anyways, but I hate the atmosphere of coffee shops.

I never understood why I did, until recently.

THINK ABOUT IT. JUST THINK:

All those people, on their laptops, doing work. The shops give off the image of being a chill and relaxed environment. Smooth jazz, friendly baristas, nice decor. But it is filled with worker bees being served a drug, yes a DRUG, so that they can work more efficiently. Coffee shops represent the man who puts a smile on his face and says "what a great day it is" without even knowing what makes him happy, when in reality he is drinking mad cups of espresso to kiss his boss's ass with that laptop he has in his satchel.



Also, guys wear scarves there.
Jan 30 2014 9:11PM
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Spagett+
Posts: 3499 - Karma: 14,884
Wow you are very anti authority. I bet you really are a rebel.
Jan 30 2014 9:13PM
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Jeebus.
Posts: 4904 - Karma: 5,822
Hipster man
Jan 30 2014 9:14PM
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statuswhitegirl
Posts: 4058 - Karma: 883
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Jan 30 2014 9:18PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Smooth jazz, friendly people, nice decor and good coffee DO make me happy.
Jan 30 2014 9:22PM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
Spagett together we can destroy starbucks join me.
Jan 30 2014 9:23PM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
I just hate how they're associated with doing work there, like why don't people whip out their laptops at any other dining establishment
Jan 30 2014 9:24PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
I'm all for bringing down Starbucks but i like little hometown coffee shops
Jan 30 2014 9:26PM
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,352
op you are the worst kind of person.
Jan 30 2014 9:59PM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
True true. I dig any form of small business.
Jan 30 2014 10:10PM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
eh, maybe this is just my problem.
Jan 30 2014 10:34PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
People in the Kootenays don't bring their laptops to coffee shops and do work. I think the reason behind that though, is the fact that people here don't work. So...


I don't really do city coffee shops, but I like small (mountain) town coffee shops. It's a good place to go get your morning coffee and meet up with friends, plan the day. More of a summer thing for me. Winters I just make my coffee at home, and if by chance I'm actually working that day, I'll just make my coffee at home. I don't work on a laptop though.

Jan 30 2014 10:35PM
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Willgum
Posts: 3254 - Karma: 3,066
You can hate anything if you read into it too deep. And you're looking at coffee shops one sided. You can view them like you expressed, or you can view them as a medium for creativity and work. Maybe the guy sitting for 3 hours drinking coffee isnt a mindless worker, but a young entrepreneur who is using the free wifi to start his dream.

I dont hate them because they can be a gathering point for people to share ideas and communicate, Im not sure why you made coffee shops into some dystopian hell disguised as a store but maybe you're bored and high idk
Jan 30 2014 10:35PM
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
Why must you concern yourself with how other people live their life?
Jan 30 2014 10:39PM
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,891
whenever i'm at one, i wait for that one guy who will inevitably sigh happily after each sip, and then i sip mine, and sigh louder than him, because he's a fudgepacker.
Jan 30 2014 11:44PM
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Spagett+
Posts: 3499 - Karma: 14,884
Lol considering sig. This post is gold.
Jan 31 2014 12:07AM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
definitely doing this sometime now.

Don't worry, I'll yell CREDZ TO K-ROB as I leave.
Jan 31 2014 12:59AM
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BMB
Posts: 3138 - Karma: 232
threads for truth
Jan 31 2014 1:04AM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
A coffee shop is more relaxing than an office under fluorescent lighting. For people who work at home, it's nice to get out. Plus often people go for coffee to socialize, not do work.
Jan 31 2014 1:05AM
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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
I like my coffee with extra coffee *insert novelty plastic to go mug here*
Jan 31 2014 1:06AM
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profa_212
Posts: 8886 - Karma: 35,769
I work at an outback and see this quite often when people come in alone. People seem to love to sit at the bar, grab some beer, watch football, and do their work. Maybe it's just my place though.
Jan 31 2014 1:07AM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
If I was chilling at an Outback doing all those things except the work, and some dude came in and started doing the same things but with the work, he'd be killin my vibe. I'd be on my way to Applebees.
Jan 31 2014 1:14AM
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profa_212
Posts: 8886 - Karma: 35,769
You take what people do around you way to seriously dude. Plus like nobody is at the bar anyways....these people seem to come in at like 10ish when the restaurant is mostly empty.
Jan 31 2014 1:19AM
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Gostblader
Posts: 3 - Karma: 8
I hate that places like starbucks are regarded as the standard, when there are little mom and pop Coffee shops where people make infinitely better coffee and get little business.
Jan 31 2014 1:46AM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
haha, nah I'm not half as judgemental in person. The coffee shop thing only came to me when I really, really thought about it.
Jan 31 2014 1:47AM
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OGoriginal-gaper
Posts: 354 - Karma: 86
can't stand them
Jan 31 2014 4:06AM
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OGoriginal-gaper
Posts: 354 - Karma: 86
can't stand them
Jan 31 2014 4:06AM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4798 - Karma: -673
So I went into a fancy one in Portland couple days ago.

I had to do something on my computer I couldn't do on my phone. And wanted a coffee and a quick snack.


Basically the sausage roll took 20 minutes and was burning hot for another 15 minutes. So my mouth was burned by my food that took forever while my coffee was ice cold.

Makes you wanna stick to starbucks.

I only go to coffee shops when I am without internet and need to focus and get shit done online I don't enjoy them either.

Weird old guys and single moms were hanging out.

C- effort. I'll stick to diners and a newspaper for that late morning ambience and coffee stop and use my laptop at home.
Jan 31 2014 5:29AM
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syrup.
Posts: 644 - Karma: 302
KOOTENAYS REPRESENT. Seriously though I grew up in Nakusp (1500 people), there was one coffee shop and it was a legit, way laid back place to chill. city coffee shops are not relaxing in the slightest.

tl;dr not big fan dawg gangster rap 4ever fuck coffee shops them fucks ain't know shit bout the thug life.
Jan 31 2014 7:42AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
I worked in a coffee shop throughout college during the school semesters. I FUCKING HATE COFFEE SHOPS. Everything about that job sucked, the people in general were lazy, rude, and overall pretty non successful which is why they would sit there all fucking day. People freak the fuck out over there drinksif you dont make it 100%.

Coffee culture in the US is pathetic. The only reason i kept that job was because it payed a lot and it was flexible around my schedule. I will never set foot in a place like that ever again.
Jan 31 2014 7:52AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
Ski town coffee shops are where it's at, especially when it's more than just coffee. Sometimes you can't beat an amazing coffee, followed by an amazing breakfast or lunch. Golden has two of them, and bonus points for the one open on Sundays.

City ones are hit and miss. Some places take pride in what they do, other places just try to make their image.
In Calgary, there are a few good shops around. I enjoy Good Earth down in Kensington. For a bigger "local" shop, Phil and Sebastian's is pretty damn good. They make a great Dulce, and usually have some pretty good looking baristas working, which is also worth the visit.
Jan 31 2014 8:17AM
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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664
Coffee shops usually sell the most delicious chocolate treats, Im a fan.
Jan 31 2014 8:36AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
hahaha this is exactly how I feel...I see these fucks just sitting in a coffee shop for hours pretending to look like theyre doing work. Or maybe they need to feel important by having people watch them while they do work? Fucking weirdos..


I still like local coffee shops because htey coffee is very good and the sandwiches are usually amazing. I go in, get my coffee and food, then leave and go about my day like a normal productive human being however
Jan 31 2014 8:54AM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
I go to coffee shops to do work because I have trouble focusing on work at home. I like to get out of the house and go somewhere with the purpose of getting work done. It eliminates distractions.
Jan 31 2014 9:53AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
It eliminates distractions like people walking in and out, the smell of food and coffee, people dropping cups/dishes, loud conversations and general busy noise

Do you people not have libraries where you live?
Jan 31 2014 10:13AM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
I like ambient noise, but nothing that will draw my attention. And something to look at while I'm completing a thought. That and pretty girls go in there too.
Jan 31 2014 10:18AM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
While i hold no issue with the shops themselves, I cannot stand the hipster douches. The ones who ask if the cream is organic vegan free trade. The ones who reblog 300 coffee photos on tumblr and instagram. The ones who loudly talk about whatever project their working on. While coffee shops can be a great place to get work done and also drink a drug while i'm high as fuck on another 3, I hate the people who go to coffee shops to be seen at coffee shops.
Jan 31 2014 10:27AM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
I also worked at a coffee shop while in university and I loved it. It was relaxed, customers were usually pretty chill and my boss was great. We had tons of students, lots of really successful business people, lots of friends/family meeting each other, people who would come chill on a couch and read for hours and any other kind of person. I can maybe count on one hand how many people complained about their drinks.

I don't know why you let other people and what they do bother you, particularly if you don't know them or why they do the things they do.
Jan 31 2014 10:40AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Ha, laptop, what peasants.

Real man take their 27' iMac with them

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Jan 31 2014 10:40AM
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mski
Posts: 4791 - Karma: 3,803
yah...okay
Jan 31 2014 10:49AM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
id rather go to the library, but that's just me. when i was in college the library set up was awesome. there were big tables for times where you wanted to spread your shit all over the place, quiet areas for when you really needed to read and think. casual areas that were more like a coffee shop and some people socializing around, and the ground floor had a second cup and sandwich place in it, so when you needed a break you could always leave your shit and take a breather.
Jan 31 2014 10:50AM
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GANKI
Posts: 76 - Karma: 264
coffee shops are cool. i like the mellow atmosphere. and usually there are chicks with dreads, i like staring at them, I can't figure out their deal.
Jan 31 2014 11:36AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
Jan 31 2014 11:58AM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
This haha
Jan 31 2014 4:20PM
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Dr.Dealgood
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 1,352
Yeesh, I'd had to know what you think about bars.

All those toxic drugs being served, fueling indecision, transacting sexual diseases, fueling fights and angers, putting people in debt.

OH THE VICES WE INDULGE
Jan 31 2014 4:29PM
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disastertourism
Posts: 2402 - Karma: 135
I work in a coffee shop and I don't actually see people with laptops that often.
People reading sometimes, most people are catching up with friends, the odd business meeting.
It's chill. :)
Jan 31 2014 5:13PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 24,546
French press at home is so cheap and easy. I can practically make coffee in my sleep.l I'd rather drink my own coffee cold than buy it anywhere. That being said, sometimes I still don't prepare enough to take my own coffee on the go. Lately I feel guilty buying anything even coffee at a fast food joint and plethora of coffee shops and stands are a far better price and quality than the coffee they sell in the ski lodge.
Jan 31 2014 5:59PM
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Logey.
Posts: 2996 - Karma: 457
I was once at a coffee shop, doing the usual, people watching, when i noticed a guy facebooking it up on his macbook pro and occasionally switching over to a word document. After having a mental laugh about the facebook machine stereotype, i notice him going for something in his bag. PULLS OUT A FUCKIN IPAD. I'm thinking to myself "what the fuck, is he going to play games or something?"; I could not figure out what he could do on his ipad that his mac couldn't do. He proceeded to go to his email and check a few of them. At this point I was getting pretty heated, wondering why he didn't just check his email on his FB machine. After about a minute or two, he set his ipad down next to the computer and took some sips of his gay looking frapalatteesspressofrozenmachiato coffee tea drink with whipped cream and chocolate on top. He then let out an over exaggerated self satisfied "hmmmmmm" and leaned back in his chair, arms over head, with a way-too smug look on his face.Hopefully realizing he was acting like a douche, he sat up and reached in his pocket and pulled out ---you guessed it--- an iphone. Trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, I was thinking "maybe he had a phone call, or a text, or a reminder go off", nope, he fucking goes on facebook. I was finished, I could not sit there and watch this guy anymore. I had to leave. I went and threw away my garbage and took a pit-stop to the bathroom to take a whizzz. After coming out of the bathroom I had to pass the guy to get out of the door. Not being able to resist, I decided to take one last look, what i saw made me laugh out loud. He switched his focus back to the macbook pro, on the screen was a blank word document with the date on top. He was in full thinking man position with his seat like 4 feet away from the table, pretending he was concentrating. Not being able to contain myself, I laughed all the way out the door. I still think about it periodically and laugh. I don't necessarily hate coffee shops, I hate people in coffee shops.
Jan 31 2014 6:35PM
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Utard
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 305
People go to coffee houses for the same reason people go to bars; the drug they serve there is conducive to the kind of social interactions and environment those people wish to place themselves in. Coffee houses have a long history as serving as a meeting space for writers, artists, intellectuals, and regular folks who want a semi-public space to socialize. It's a cultural thing, and if it doesn't make sense to you, that's ok, most cultural practices don't. They probably made more apparent sense back in the days when people actually talked to one another rather than staring at glowing rectangles all day.
Jan 31 2014 7:03PM
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TheBigApple
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 488
I made a $80,000 deal at a coffee shop in december.
Jan 31 2014 8:44PM
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