RANT 'N' RAVE
Starbucks sanctuary
OK, I admit it. I like Starbucks as much
as any of my java-guzzling, American compatriots. When I moved to Tokyo a couple of years
ago I took comfort in the little piece of home in my new neighborhood. Although I love
Japanese cuisine, their home-brewed coffee is a taste I have yet to acquire. Unlike many
who disdain the corporate coffee giant, I proudly made a stop at Starbucks a part of my
daily routine. Disdaining the laminated English menu, "Shorto kohi o kudasai"
was my first full sentence spoken in my new language. This was usually answered by a
"Short coffee?"
I experienced a caffeine-induced sense of delight when they opened a new Starbucks branch
even closer to my apartment. While traveling in China I spied a "Starbucks Opening
Here Soon" sign in the city of Chengdu, which is not at the end of the earth, but as
the expression goes, "you can see it from there." Given this incredible
expansion I even bought some stock in the company, although I am more of a
"shorto" investor than that of the "grande" variety. So I say this as
not only a loyal customer but a stockholder: Starbucks' takeover of Tokyo has got to stop!
Soba restaurants, electronic stores and even my local mom-san and pop-san vegetable stand
shut down to build yet another coffee house. I actually heard a McDonalds closed to make
way for a Starbucks outlet.
I've even started to calculate distances by how many Starbucks I pass. My apartment to my
job is a four-Starbuck trip. From work to Japanese class... well, that would be a three
Starbuck-journey.
Enough is enough. This is Tokyo not Seattle. So please before the zillionth Starbucks is
erected here, stop already. Why am I getting so worked up about this? Maybe it's too much
coffee. Maybe I should start drinking green tea instead.
Many thanks to Bill Anderson for this Rant.
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