Wednesday, July 14, 2004
C8 H10 N4 O2
The heat of July is upon us (97 degrees today!) and I'd like to take a moment to give thanks for the tasty morsels that kept me cool and awake this morning...
Dear Lord, Thank you for the legal stimulant that is caffeine and the flavorful way it is prepared at our neighborhood Starbucks, especially when combined with caramel, chocolate, coconut, whipped cream, and java chip sprinkles. May its effects outlast those of the midsummer insomnia while I edit papers today.
And now to address an issue. It's a little thing I call "ATM spacing." The proper use of ATM spacing would be when you are, in fact, in line at the ATM, and the person directly behind the one using the ATM stands a good 6 feet away so as to not appear to be an imminent threat, i.e. in the nature of L.A. Story ("Hi, I'm Bob and I'll be your robber today."). This is ok.
But now it seems like any time someone is taking out their wallet, say, in Starbucks or Wendy's, people feel the need to put as much space between them and that person as humanly possible. This means the line starts halfway back into the cow corral chains, or, in the case of Starbucks, at the overpriced goodies stand. What is that? Here's why that doesn't make sense.
1. At an ATM, you can be assured the person is getting cash. At Starbucks, most people use their debit card. Gen X apparently no longer believes in cash. I know I don't. (although if you would like to give me some, feel free)
2. At an ATM, you're using a secret pin number that no one else should know or see. At Starbucks, it's no secret that you're getting half-caf, non-fat soy foofoo latte, grrrranday, because they immediately scream it out to the barista.
3. At an ATM, you might be shown your balance, which is private. At Starbucks, not only do you not see that, but if you're using your ATM card for a cup of joe, it's pretty clear there's less than 20 bucks in there.
4. At an ATM, you're just on the sidewalk. Plenty of room. At Starbucks, the last person in line is reading the backside of WSJ off a table-sitter's morning paper.
Bottom line is, move on up, people. There's no need to be a line hogger (within 3 inches of the next person) but this is just fast food, not Fort Knox, if you know what I mean.
Dear Lord, Thank you for the legal stimulant that is caffeine and the flavorful way it is prepared at our neighborhood Starbucks, especially when combined with caramel, chocolate, coconut, whipped cream, and java chip sprinkles. May its effects outlast those of the midsummer insomnia while I edit papers today.
And now to address an issue. It's a little thing I call "ATM spacing." The proper use of ATM spacing would be when you are, in fact, in line at the ATM, and the person directly behind the one using the ATM stands a good 6 feet away so as to not appear to be an imminent threat, i.e. in the nature of L.A. Story ("Hi, I'm Bob and I'll be your robber today."). This is ok.
But now it seems like any time someone is taking out their wallet, say, in Starbucks or Wendy's, people feel the need to put as much space between them and that person as humanly possible. This means the line starts halfway back into the cow corral chains, or, in the case of Starbucks, at the overpriced goodies stand. What is that? Here's why that doesn't make sense.
1. At an ATM, you can be assured the person is getting cash. At Starbucks, most people use their debit card. Gen X apparently no longer believes in cash. I know I don't. (although if you would like to give me some, feel free)
2. At an ATM, you're using a secret pin number that no one else should know or see. At Starbucks, it's no secret that you're getting half-caf, non-fat soy foofoo latte, grrrranday, because they immediately scream it out to the barista.
3. At an ATM, you might be shown your balance, which is private. At Starbucks, not only do you not see that, but if you're using your ATM card for a cup of joe, it's pretty clear there's less than 20 bucks in there.
4. At an ATM, you're just on the sidewalk. Plenty of room. At Starbucks, the last person in line is reading the backside of WSJ off a table-sitter's morning paper.
Bottom line is, move on up, people. There's no need to be a line hogger (within 3 inches of the next person) but this is just fast food, not Fort Knox, if you know what I mean.
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