every time i enter starbucks, the woman at the cash register says something like "Ah, Шарлотта! Что ты хочешь сегодня?" (Ah, Charlotte! What do you want today?) or "Снова, Шарлотта?" ("again, Charlotte?"- usually on the second cup of coffee...).
i usually go because it's right next to the metro station closest to the school where i teach, and it's a nice, quiet place to get work done while spreading a $5 cappuccino over the course of three hours. it's pretty much my 3-times-a-week splurge on myself (and a perfect respite from the -20 degree weather-with-windchill that we've been having).
oftentimes i see the ballerinas from the Bolshoi Academy taking breaks from their rigorous dance schedules to come by for a cup (the school is literally 2 blocks away), so it's a pretty interesting mix of people.
plus the coffee has actually been pretty good! and that's key.
in the very thoughtfully, carefully chosen words of Natalia (Tamara's 7 year old daughter): "I guess coffee is relaxing...it's like being in a hot tub...but you don't get wet." i love it.
