Fear! We (and our laptops) could get thrown out of Starbucks?!
(CBS) - We, at Tech Talk, are not liking this possibility at all.
When we saw the headline, "Starbucks accused of evicting laptop lounger," we thought, no way, Starbucks wouldn't do that. But we kept reading the CNET article and to our dismay, it seems that a man (dubbed "JJ" for short) really was given the boot at a Starbucks in New York City after refusing to buy another cup of coffee after his 2 1/2-hour stay. Apparently, that's not okay with one Starbucks manager.
"JJ," who's a financial analyst and web designer, claims a Starbucks district manager by the name of Damian Waugh (the name the man gave him though no business card was handed over) "threw him out... for being a laptop lounger." If you're not familiar, a "laptop lounger" is a Starbucks patron who scores a power outlet, plugs in his or her laptop and - well - sticks around as long as he or she needs to. I mean, why leave when your machine's got infinite juice?
When "JJ" first arrived at the cozy chain coffee shop that day, he stood in line just like everyone else and ordered a toasted bagel with cream cheese and a grande bold coffee in a venti cup. (Why he wanted a larger cup, we have no idea.)
Waugh approached "JJ" and asked him what brought him to Starbucks. "JJ" was honest and said he was there to work - as most patrons often do. No surprise there. Then, what happened next shocked us - the district manager asked "JJ" to buy another beverage because "Starbucks prefers to reserve its seating for those who are enjoying their beverages."
Since "JJ" wasn't ready for another drink, he had no choice but to make like a tree and get out of there. Oh the horror!
We feel for you, "JJ." We're all guilty of "overstaying" our welcome when we're comfortable. Even though we shame the laptop loungers who hog those power outlets for hours, when we are those lucky, plugged-in laptop loungers, it is Starbucks paradise. Heck, when we get leered at by other Starbucks customers hunting for tables hopelessly, we just sit back and relax - we have not a care in the world, no shame at all. And, when we get leered at by the occasional Starbucks manager with disapproval, we bury ourselves in our work and concentrate on our screens with frowns and all - just don't make eye contact and he or she will eventually throw in the I'm-about-to-do-something-mean towel and disappear.
So, you can imagine why this unbelievable tale from "JJ" is making us all emo.
The thought of Starbucks employees enforcing a no-stay rule once you've finished your beverage scares the bejeezus out of us, quite frankly. If we luck out with a table - or better, a comfy lounge chair - leave us be! After all, isn't that what Starbucks is for? Comfort.
