The first Starbucks in Prague is officially opening today. It is located in the middle of Malostranske Namesti.
When I first moved from New York City to Prague a few weeks ago, I started an extended search for a Starbucks. I failed. There was none. Starbucks is almost a religion for New Yorkers and it is hard not to go to one since there are over 170 Starbucks stores in Manhattan alone.
At first, I missed having Starbucks in my daily routine. Besides the regular coffee, there was also something about those comfy seating areas, the earthtone-colored interiors, and of course the relaxing music. The skilled employees would teleport from one steaming espresso machine to the next, wearing their green aprons that made them fit right into the environment like elves in a forest.
One day I was hooked. I took chances at 'the coffee of the day'. I order delicious pastries from the 'carbs counter'. Friends started giving me Starbucks cards for christmas and birthdays. I did the same to them. Everybody was happy.
Six weeks ago I entered Prague and had no choice but to try the coffee here. The first thing I noticed right away was the size of the coffee, which almost seems like a shot-glass compared to any size in the US. The second thing I noticed was its presentation and how, in a lot of coffee places, it is served on a small platter with the milk in a separate little container, a shot glass of water, and usually a little cookie or a wrapped pastry of some sort.
And I loved it. I loved the taste of it. I loved the presentation. I loved the experience.
I forgot that food and beverages actually have a taste over here. The US is about quantity but not quality. Things taste very weak and faded over there and I was happy to report to my US friends, that I found out yet another way how the US shields its inhabitants from the real goodies of the rest of the world.
Even though I am seeing more and more crappy US corporations popping up in Prague, such as Subway, KFC, TGI Fridays, and so on, I am not worried about Starbucks taking over Prague one store at a time. I am not worried because I was convinced immediatelly of the 'other good coffee' here.
People are slowly waking up in the US, realizing that the world is no longer measured by American standards. The dollar is down the shitter. The real-estate collapsed. The country is heading for a new depression.
However, I can assure you, that the Starbucks store(s) here will be packed every day by overweight, obnoxious American tourists who won't know better and who will be too lazy to bother trying the real deal.
This is a forum. So, let's hear it.
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