by Mary Macrae ’14

Customers at a local Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks has been known for serving delicious coffee and baked goods, and more recently, providing free wifi. For years people have been going there to fulfill their coffee addiction and get a nice blueberry scone on the side but lately the nationally known coffee cup has become more of a status symbol than a drink. Starbucks is where hipsters can discuss underground bands, talk about what their ironic tee-shirts mean, and write their screenplays on their Macs.

The Starbucks in Olney is no exception. When I went into Starbucks to get a quick coffee it was full of hipsters sporting beanies, fedoras, and skinny jeans. I stuck out like a sore thumb wearing a Navy Football sweatshirt. As I was waiting in the outrageous long line I noticed that someone finished their coffee but still left with the empty coffee cup in their hand.

The obsession to be cool as reached new levels. Rather than just being drink it has become an accessory to enhance one’s appearance.  Really, how cool is coffee?