By Hope Bowser
Western Sun staff writer
While I’m not typically photographed prancing around LA with a Venti soy extra-hot Caramel Macchiato bigger than the dog I tote around in my pink Chanel bag, I do enjoy Starbucks a little too much.
It could be those cute little dressed up bears, the adorably festive holiday cups, or the most perfectly fluffy whip cream ever, but it’s official- I am a Starbucks junkie.
Aside from the relatively few and obvious health risks caffeine may pose (possible sleep problems, jumpiness, etc…duh) having an addiction to Starbucks coffee may not be such a bad thing.
Increased energy and focus, better performance on memory tasks…there are certainly less productive vices to have.
So what’s my problem with Starbucks? A pretty routine drink is taken, dumped in a cup with a green stamp on it, and completely overpriced.
A grande (medium, for those of you living under a rock) latte, which is one of the most basic drinks you can get containing essentially just espresso and milk is $3.25. A grande mocha (a chocolate-flavored espresso drink) is $4.20! Not to mention the admittedly delicious pastries offered- a slice of lemon loaf is just under $2.
7-11 offers decently brewed coffee and an array of flavored syrups to add for $1.59 for a medium, and around a dollar for a pastry.
Say one visits Starbucks once a day during the work week and orders a drink that costs only $3.
Over the course of a year, $780 would be spent on espresso and steamed milk with a green mermaid on the cup. (Not counting the random tip, even just a dollar a week is over $50 more)
Let’s say once a week that individual caves in and orders a coffee cake to go along with their drink. That’s an additional $182! For coffee and a snack?! That’s ridiculous!
So here’s what I say- Boycott Starbucks! Stand up to the man! Rise against the corporate shmucks who are… oh, just a sec- “Hi! May I have a grande caramel frappuchino please?”
