How often do you visit Starbucks?Lately, I have been going there at least 2 or 3 days out of the week.
shhh....don't tell anyone, but I actually "teach" English conversation there. I really wouldn't call what I do teaching though. Though my students seem to think I am teaching them, so I guess I am. Actually, at Starbucks, you can see all kinds of foreigners teaching the Japanese some language or learning Japanese from them.
It sometimes gets a bit loud with the grinders and commotion. But I think the BGN(background noise) helps my students feel relaxed enough to speak out loud.I usually try to go an hour before our lessons. Sometimes it can get crowded, so the reason I go early is to save a table.
I buy myself something to drink and a snack. Bring a book or just people-watch. I've noticed that a lot of businessmen actually hold meetings there.
Recently they came out with two different mixed nut snacks.The one with the pink label was a blend of cashew, pistachio, almond, blueberry & cranberry.
The green label was a blend of pistachio and pumpkin seeds.
I enjoyed the pink label snack because there was more flavors and crunch than the contents of the green label.
Do you have a favorite food & drink item at your Starbucks?Hope you have a great weekend!
Hum my favorite drink has to be Tazo Chai Latte with soy milk and it has to be the old fashioned TOP POT donuts they serve at most of the Hawaii Starbucks. TOP POT is a famous donut shop in Seattle. Lately I haven't been going to Starbucks because I have to stay away from caffeine. And would you know I don't crave that caffeine anymore! Take care!
ReplyDeleteI love having an espresso con panna!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you teach in such an informal setting.
ReplyDeleteMust admit, I'm not a SB fan whatsoever...We've got a chain called The Second Cup which serves my swanky coffee needs--it's usually pretty busy with students and profs, not to mention the odd group of...odd...people ;)
j
Gidday.
ReplyDeleteAs I commented earlier I am now sold on the mocha frappuccinos-had one last night at Kankuu along with the poppyseed lemon cheese cake.
Both delish.
Will be drinking lattes from soup bowl from a local cafe for the next wee while as it's too cold for frappuccinos.
TK reporting from sunny-rainy-then sunny again Auckland, NZ.
My favorite item at Starbucks in Japan is the Premium Hot Chocolate...they don't have it here in the US! I've been missing it since we moved back last month. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a Starbucks here (and never will), but your mention of what goes on at these coffee hangouts reminded me that...heh heh...I once staged a meeting for a job interview that I had to do for my boss! Talk about a very casual way to screen a person for a job! lol
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to add...it must be especially hard to maintain the japanese diet when fishermen are on strike. At least we can grow our own tomatoes and make our own olive oil if necessary, but to go out and catch fresh fish everyday?
ReplyDeleteThe Chai Latte here is too sweet, Laura. I'm not sure who makes the donuts we have here.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried an espresso con panna, Steamy. Sounds nice.
Thanks Jasmine, it is one of the only places in Japan that doesn't allow smoking. You are lucky to have local cafes to hang out at.
Enjoy your vacation, Tamakikat :)
That is too bad, Fuji Mama. You would think that most of the menu would be the same.
Take care everyone!
Kat
I'm glad you will never have a Starbucks in Italy, Rowena :) I only go there because of the no-smoking.
ReplyDeleteActually the amount of fish that people in now has dropped drastically which lead to the fishermen strike. I guess since meats are cheaper, more families have turned towards that. Are your fishermen still on strike?
Take care.
Kat
When I feel like I haven't had enough sugar for the month I like to order a Caramel Frappucino. I also like the Black Tea Lemonade (that's not the exact name, but I can't think of it at the moment). It's really refreshing.
ReplyDeleteHi Kat - enjoy your Starbucks classroom while you can. As of two days ago they closed down almost all their stores in Australia. Seems Australians know what makes a good coffee - and Starbucks doesn't cut it.
ReplyDeleteIts hard for me to comment on Starbucks much(too many years there)--plus it's mostly all tea for me now but I do like the zen tea and lemonade combo and have the occasional oatcake (only in Hawaii).
ReplyDeleteI always get a soya milk latte and a very berry scone. I could eat that for breakfast every day. I'd be as big as a house if I did, but I'd be a happy house.
ReplyDeleteI've had caramel macchiato, but not the frappucino version, Fran. That lemonade sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon, so far they haven't announced any stores closing here. It is a good thing you have better cafes in Australia :)
I wish we had oatcakes here, Deb. Though they would probably charge an arm for it here.
Ooh, very berry scones sound delicious, Lyvvie, too bad we don't have it here. I've tried a lemon one here but wasn't too impressed with the "fake" lemon drizzles on top and not much lemon flavor in the scone.
Take care everyone!
Kat
i miss going to starbucks..we dont have here in southern france..i love everything cold in starbucks and with extra cream if possible :-) i love the sound of cashew, pistachio,almond blueberry and cranberry..you just gave me idea of what will i bake in the kitchen hehehe
ReplyDeleteThere's a starbucks downstairs in our work canteen ;)
ReplyDeleteI could go there everyday! But I try to limit myself to 1 treat a week. Although it's subsidised by work, it does gets a little bit expensive if I had one everyday!
I'm a mocha girl, so I'm usually asking for the mochachinno or iced mocha on hot days :)
can't wait to see what you make, Dhanggit!
ReplyDeletewow, your work subsidises your Starbucks drinks, that is cool, Ilingc!
Take care you two.
Kat
I used to love Starbucks and frequent them often in San Francisco. My friend works at the Starbucks in Hawaii and they have great perks. But, since moving to Australia, I don't miss Starbucks nor their coffee. It's pricey and their drinks aren't as good as other cafes. I wrote a post on my blog on the closure of Starbucks in Australia. I would go to SB too in Japan to get away from the smoking...they smoke like crazy there!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have a look at your blog post, DSC :) I'm glad you have great cafes in Australia and won't be affected by all the ones closing there!
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
In college I was there all the time. Nowdays though, I must go there about once or twice a year. Basically whenever we get a gift certificate. I don't drink coffee but he enjoys it once in a while. I'll usually get something like a skim hot chocolate. :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, skim hot chocolate, I'll have to remember that for winter, Lori :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Starbucks is my weakness. I spend waaaay too much time and money there. My favorite drink would have to be a double tall nonfat Pumpkin Spice Latte. As for cold drinks it would be the venti passion tea lemonade. I know this is kinda a late comment but I couldn't pass on by without commenting.
ReplyDeleteYum, I like them both too Dominique, but I usually get the short versions.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat