The Next Generation (no not ST:TNG)
I was in Starbucks on Friday night around 10pm in Unionville last week. I expected it to be busy but wasn’t prepared for what I was about to encounter.
It was an absolute madhouse.
I quickly scoped out a seat on a bench between a couple who were reading the Globe & Mail together and 3 30-somethings on the other side. Esther went to go grab the coffees.
Then, after settling into my spot, I looked around to find out that my area was one of the very few that had people over 25, dare I say 20?! There were teeny-boppers hanging off the walls and ceilings of this place, running up and down the stairs, deciding if they should go for the Dulce de Leche Latte or the Mocha-Frappa-something. This Starbuck’s is pretty big - two levels, couches, benches, bistro tables… you’d think this was ample enough space but of course not. It was loud, crowded and chaotic.
While waiting for Esther, the two groups beside me left; either because they were done with their coffee, or because it was past their bedtime. HEY, when you’re working full-time and over 25, you find that your bedtime falls around the 10-11pm mark – otherwise Kimberly simply can not function.
Anyhoo, as soon as these people left, leaving me totally alone, a sudden screaming, running, and “SHUT UP!”–ing, dark cloud descended upon me and I found myself now accompanied by 8, 13yr olds and 5 more that were hovering around their seats and tables, hitting, laughing and swearing up a storm. To top this off, they were all sipping on the latest and greatest sugar-laden and caffeine-laced drinks that Starbuck’s could come up with. Crazy.
Luckily, once Esther got back, we moved seats to bar-top seating in a less pre-pubescent corner. However, once we got settled in our seats we noticed the view from the big window in front of us, looking onto the patio area and Main St. Unionville.
Yes folks, that’s correct, more kids. I swear these ones were just 13ish too. Yet these ones were sitting with coffees in one hand and a lit up joint in the other. No not cigarettes, these kids were midnight-tokers.
I just couldn’t fathom when this happened. I didn’t even venture into the coffee world until OAC and these 12-13 yr. old kids are spending 4-5 bucks on drinks that they probably can’t pronounce. In addition, they clearly had enough money left over to score some weed. How much allowance is standard these days anyway? I can’t even afford to have habits like that! What’s next? Brunches at the Royal York? Sweet Sixteen’s celebrated at Canoe? It’s hard to believe that this is their idea of a Friday night hangout and that their addictive nature has already begun to take root.
This next generation…watch out for them because they’re-a-comin’. I’m frightened. Aren’t you?
It was an absolute madhouse.
I quickly scoped out a seat on a bench between a couple who were reading the Globe & Mail together and 3 30-somethings on the other side. Esther went to go grab the coffees.
Then, after settling into my spot, I looked around to find out that my area was one of the very few that had people over 25, dare I say 20?! There were teeny-boppers hanging off the walls and ceilings of this place, running up and down the stairs, deciding if they should go for the Dulce de Leche Latte or the Mocha-Frappa-something. This Starbuck’s is pretty big - two levels, couches, benches, bistro tables… you’d think this was ample enough space but of course not. It was loud, crowded and chaotic.
While waiting for Esther, the two groups beside me left; either because they were done with their coffee, or because it was past their bedtime. HEY, when you’re working full-time and over 25, you find that your bedtime falls around the 10-11pm mark – otherwise Kimberly simply can not function.
Anyhoo, as soon as these people left, leaving me totally alone, a sudden screaming, running, and “SHUT UP!”–ing, dark cloud descended upon me and I found myself now accompanied by 8, 13yr olds and 5 more that were hovering around their seats and tables, hitting, laughing and swearing up a storm. To top this off, they were all sipping on the latest and greatest sugar-laden and caffeine-laced drinks that Starbuck’s could come up with. Crazy.
Luckily, once Esther got back, we moved seats to bar-top seating in a less pre-pubescent corner. However, once we got settled in our seats we noticed the view from the big window in front of us, looking onto the patio area and Main St. Unionville.
Yes folks, that’s correct, more kids. I swear these ones were just 13ish too. Yet these ones were sitting with coffees in one hand and a lit up joint in the other. No not cigarettes, these kids were midnight-tokers.
I just couldn’t fathom when this happened. I didn’t even venture into the coffee world until OAC and these 12-13 yr. old kids are spending 4-5 bucks on drinks that they probably can’t pronounce. In addition, they clearly had enough money left over to score some weed. How much allowance is standard these days anyway? I can’t even afford to have habits like that! What’s next? Brunches at the Royal York? Sweet Sixteen’s celebrated at Canoe? It’s hard to believe that this is their idea of a Friday night hangout and that their addictive nature has already begun to take root.
This next generation…watch out for them because they’re-a-comin’. I’m frightened. Aren’t you?
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