Too Much Starbucks

Have “resorted” to Starbucks the last couple of days – primarily due to having spent an inordinate amount of time waiting at East Croydon station, but never long enough at any point to get to the Costa (which is the wrong side of the ticket barrier – whereas Starbucks is on the platform). I doubt it’ll last (dare I say that I hope it won’t?), but maybe a change is as good as a rest and all that …

Thoughts that arise:

• I really only like Starbucks espresso in milk; latte (grande extra shot) is fine, flat white is fine, cappuccino is fine (although not something I drink much). Anything else? Nah …
• Given which, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to try some of their ‘drip’ stuff. I think I’ve tried it exactly, erm … once. Don’t know what they’re like in the US, but here in the UK there tend to be two drips going on any given day; one is always a “house” blend (the name of which I completely forget – don’t think it’s Pikes Peak) and the other changes regularly. Could be an opportunity to cut the cost a little (they’re slightly cheaper), cut down on the calories (dash of milk) and – frankly – try out something new.
• Those two points aside, a bugbear to raise. Why the HELL do Starbucks – and Costa, come to that – have these little stores which don’t take their loyalty cards? In fact Costa are worse than Starbucks, because the place where they practically never take cards – motorway services – also tend to charge about £3.50 for a drink that’d be under £3 in a normal store. Charge a stupid amount of money for a coffee because of the captive audience, and no loyalty card. Makes me want to spit …

Honorable mention goes to the new services on the M40 – oh, you know the one – which has a huge Costa, and does take the club card. And also to Caffe Nero, which (as far as I know) will stamp you card at any store or kiosk.