I found your piece about Starbucks most entertaining.
I had no idea that one would be asked for a name.
The nearest Starbucks to me is 50 minutes drive away, it's situated in an out of town complex, and I have never visited it.
However, you have certainly got me thinking about alternative names. I had much trouble in the years gone, by people thinking that my name was Thomas.
The name I would've liked, was Dominic Shackleton.
I was about eight years old the time, and where I got Dominic from I had no idea, I just like the sound of it - a ring of confidence seemed to surround it, and I have always liked Shackleton, as it was my mother's maiden name.
Thanks for prompting the recollection. Cheers. Tom.
I am Robert or Bob or Bobby. Depends upon my mood. Like you, I avoid Starbucks. The first one I visited was in Vancouver, ca. 1996, cosy and disorganised, sofas you could submerge yourself in, chatty staff, piles of magazines and dog-eared books. How times change. This ‘franchise’ is now cold and corporate.
My latest hangout is BookBar off the King’s Road in Chelsea , where the staff are young, attractive and occasionally gay. They are genuinely pleased to see you, and some of the baristas have PhDs (!) and are moderately intellectual. There is outside space in the watery English sunshine. I have met some interesting strangers there. The art of conversation is not yet dead, and there are even a few individuals who are not irrevocably connected to their smartphones.
Long live the independent coffee houses. They are a dying breed. In London, Soho is still a bastion of eccentricity. My favourite is The Algerian Coffee Stores, in existence for over a century, where you can buy a coffee at 1980s prices, where they have an enormous range of the finest coffee beans - freshly ground to taste - and teas. The ACS is in Old Compton Street, traditionally the gay quarter. Nothing better than to hang around and observe the parade of extraordinary human beings.
I enjoyed this essay - Albuquerque is now on my radar.
Thanks Bob. I wind up at McStarbucks quite a bit if I’m honest. But there’s something very special about independent coffee houses, each with a unique vibe and personality. These are great recommendations you’ve provided!
i got Daphne for a while… 😁
That’s a good one 😊
I found your piece about Starbucks most entertaining.
I had no idea that one would be asked for a name.
The nearest Starbucks to me is 50 minutes drive away, it's situated in an out of town complex, and I have never visited it.
However, you have certainly got me thinking about alternative names. I had much trouble in the years gone, by people thinking that my name was Thomas.
The name I would've liked, was Dominic Shackleton.
I was about eight years old the time, and where I got Dominic from I had no idea, I just like the sound of it - a ring of confidence seemed to surround it, and I have always liked Shackleton, as it was my mother's maiden name.
Thanks for prompting the recollection. Cheers. Tom.
I don’t think you’re missing much. That’s a wonderful name. He sounds like a great adventurer!
Thanks very much, I'm thinking that I may just do some adventuring 😀 it’s about time I went travelling again …..
Fun story, Crispin.
I like your new rule for minors and Starbucks.
I think I’m onto something with that…
Hallo Tom!
I am Robert or Bob or Bobby. Depends upon my mood. Like you, I avoid Starbucks. The first one I visited was in Vancouver, ca. 1996, cosy and disorganised, sofas you could submerge yourself in, chatty staff, piles of magazines and dog-eared books. How times change. This ‘franchise’ is now cold and corporate.
My latest hangout is BookBar off the King’s Road in Chelsea , where the staff are young, attractive and occasionally gay. They are genuinely pleased to see you, and some of the baristas have PhDs (!) and are moderately intellectual. There is outside space in the watery English sunshine. I have met some interesting strangers there. The art of conversation is not yet dead, and there are even a few individuals who are not irrevocably connected to their smartphones.
Long live the independent coffee houses. They are a dying breed. In London, Soho is still a bastion of eccentricity. My favourite is The Algerian Coffee Stores, in existence for over a century, where you can buy a coffee at 1980s prices, where they have an enormous range of the finest coffee beans - freshly ground to taste - and teas. The ACS is in Old Compton Street, traditionally the gay quarter. Nothing better than to hang around and observe the parade of extraordinary human beings.
I enjoyed this essay - Albuquerque is now on my radar.
Thanks Bob. I wind up at McStarbucks quite a bit if I’m honest. But there’s something very special about independent coffee houses, each with a unique vibe and personality. These are great recommendations you’ve provided!