Starbucks is a dividing line for human beings. There are people who go to 7 Eleven and others who go to Starbucks.  The difference is that people who go to 7 Eleven are really only going there to get coffee. They are not attempting to find a new life or be enlightened with a new idea. Starbucks people walk in wanting more than the coffee. They want hope. A hope for something new which did not exist yesterday. It could be as simple as a CD or a new hip book that has a foreign person on the cover which “everyone” should read. 7 Eleven people don’t give a crap about a new cd or a book they want the coffee and the paper to confirm that all politicians are liars and gas prices are still kicking them in the pants. Hope, 7 Eleven does not serve hope which is why their coffee is cheap. Starbucks charges $10.00 for a cup of coffee because they serve a little hope along side that double half caf triple shot four pump vanilla latte. Fifty cents worth of coffee and $9.50 worth of, “hey look at our cool store with our cool books and our cool cds - you know if you drink this coffee you are going to be like these cool people that we subtly shove down your throats along with this butt tightening awful coffee.” Will that be all, sir? Yes I think so but let me check: I am taking from my retirement to buy this coffee, it tastes awful, I am leaving feeling so much better about myself so when I drive by the 7 Eleven I will sip my coffee feeling sorry for the losers inside just getting a good cup of coffee. Yep I am ready, thanks my dreadlocked unshaven English major barrista who knows my order because I am such a pathetic loser, I will see you in the morning for another cup of hope. AH