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Next time: bring headphones!

I do, but the volume on Starbucks' system is so loud that I'd go deaf trying to drown out their music with mine. Ironic then, that their in-house label is called "Hear Music."

I doubt that they plan their sound track for people who move in and take up residence.

Surely not. I'd imagine they plan it so that the average Starbucks customer comes in, grabs a latte and hears two or three songs before he leaves. My heart really goes out to the poor employees, especially those working double shifts, who have to listen to the same songs over and over and over and over again. Those people must go home and burn Dave Matthews and the Gypsy Kings in effigy.

At least they are being paid to listen to it. You get to pay (somewhat) for the pleasure.

Are you kidding? Considering that I've had breakfast and lunch here and will soon add dinner to the cost of doing business at what I've dubbed my field office, I've more than paid for keeping this seat warm.

What's office rental and wireless service cost these days? Do they usually cover the cost of eating too (you do get value for what you pay for the food right)? I'm sure they don't mind you sitting there though as long as people aren't waiting for a place to sit down to eat their lunch after you are already done.

I guess I just think that complaining about the entertainment on top of it all sort of smacks of being a bit ungrateful for the use of the space and air.

Whoa now. I'm just kidding around and won't be writing letters to Starbucks corporate asking them to change the tunes anytime soon. (Although I've noticed that a lot of the other peole who have been here for 4+ hours seem a little on edge. We might form a mini militia and storm the barista barricade to access the store sound system soon.)

I have a small office at home, but the cost of running my AC all day could probably pay for fifteen Mochachinos.

Investors beware. If you have stock in Starbucks, it will definitely go down once my manuscript is handed in and I'm no longer spending money on fuel/coffee.

Geez, what's with the Starbucks apologist? Corporate America really has people trained.

It has nothing to do with starbucks and everything to do with a general attitude towards our choices in life.

It is tacky to complain about taking advantage of what's available free (air, space and wireless when not eating/drinking), and is akin to complaining about the wrapping paper on a nice gift that you like.

People: it is a joke. I'm no more likely to boycott all Starbucks locations or kidnap Alanis Morissette than Jerry Seinfeld is to hijack an airplane. The man built an entire career on "What's up with airline peanuts?" jokes, but no one thinks he'll give up flying.

I love all your comments, but if something I write doesn't sit well with you, email me personally and we can have a real back and forth.

FYI, the wireless is not free at Starbucks and if they could figure out a way to charge people for the air, I'd imagine they'd do it.

Also, I hate wrapping paper.

ungrateful writer. making jokes at poor little starbucks' expense. pick on someone your own size!

The problem here is obviously that science has determined that only 50 songs are appropriate for playing at Starbucks. Who are we to argue with science?

Yes, it's a little known fact that if you play most popular music backwards, you can hear a voice saying "Coffee kills." Hence Starbucks' reluctance to play anything other than Antigone Rising.