Where is Your Office?
Entering the information superhighway via my coffee hole on ramp, I look around to see what usual suspects are in attendance today . . . at Starbucks in Normandy Park.
Not only can I get a fresh brewed cup to my liking, I observe the daily dramas that unfold. Not that I am eavesdropping. It’s not considered eavesdropping when it’s research material for my “column.” At times, customers breaking obvious coffee etiquette distract me.
Is it okay to talk loudly into your cell phone head set while in Starbucks? NO, not okay. This unaware individual engages in a conversation over a phone that needs no phone if his intended recipient were within a mile of the booming voice. The only redeeming value in this obnoxious neighbor is the contest to insert made up replies to fill in the “blanks”. A casual observer might think this “Dress For Success” (not successfully); person’ cheese has slipped off her cracker. And who or what does the blabber look at when they impart their vital news? It is a bit bizarre, talking on one’ phone while others stand by and listen to your conversation. No, this is a definite Starbucks foul. I don’t mind cell phones, as long as they don’t ring, buzzing is ok, and then take your business outside so other busy people such as myself are not privy to your conversation, unless it is good for my “column.”
I have also observed a “man ministry” of sorts that takes place at least once a week at her coffee hole. Freshly scrubbed men of varying ages holding hands, heads bowed, (I did spot one guy checking out a lycra clad gym attendee once.) Quiet talking ensues, and of course coffee is consumed. As far as I am concerned they can have their meeting but I don’t see how they can concentrate on their prayers. Of course who am I to talk, I am supposed to be writing about happenings in town and here I am watching everyone in my “office.” Whoops, my phone just rang. Forgot the buzzer feature, and broke my own cardinal rule.
Not only do the “man ministry,” and ringing cell phones distract me, but also something else diverts my attention outside today. There are no less than 6 policemen and 3 civilians standing outside my headquarters, perhaps this will be a good tidbit for my column. I recognize a few of the policeman as “regulars”, I have my own private protection right here at my place of work sort of like my own “secret service.”
On Sunday, the dynamics change at Starbucks. People flock in for coffee after church. Rummy-eyed parents with soccer/baseball kids in tow rush in for a caffeine pick me up, and large groups conglomerate. Empty seats are difficult to find. One family in particular are big offenders of a very obvious rule, “no squatters allowed.” They gather most of the chairs around a few tables, thus leaving chair-less tables for the rest of us. This rude family has twenty people in it, and not only are they LOUD, but one of them breaks my DRESS CODE and wears pajama bottoms, posing as pants to my office. GEEZ!
Then there is the single dad and his darling though rambunctious child. Said child is about 3. Her dad talks to someone he knows while the small savage runs up, down, and around the displays. I suppose her dad would notice if one of the mugs on the display case crashed to the floor. Rather lazy parenting if you ask me. He has not asked me yet but if he does . . . I have a doggy leash in my car outside.
So feel free to stop off at my office, especially if you have “newsworthy” information for my “column.” However . . .
- Turn your cell phone to “buzz only.”
- Wear appropriate attire, no pajamas please.
- Leash your lively children.
- Leave at least two chairs to a table.
Have a nice day!