5 Types Of People You Meet At Starbucks (Singapore Version)

Though not exactly a fan of coffee, I’ve been spending a lot of time at Starbucks for the past year and yes, I’m one of those people who’d purchase the cheapest drink and then stay on for hours, trying to finish a math paper or a research essay that’s due the next day. Having studied there regularly, I unwittingly found myself observing the people around me. As the year 2014 comes to an end and with the arrival of 2015, I concluded that there are 5 kinds of people who frequent the ever-so-popular café, Starbucks.

#1 The Hardcore Muggers

Living in Singapore is not an easy task, especially for students. We’re born to study. We’re drilled to study, even if we don’t like it. A common phrase you’d hear around here is “You better study hard. If not, you’ll become a road sweeper in the future.” This is what our parents and teachers frequently use to scare us, and with that kind of motivation, we mug. Really really hard. Admittedly, I’m one of those who chooses Starbucks as my “camping site”. During exam periods, you can see the influx of students with their noses stuck in their books and faces of frustration as they sip on their economical drink until the baristas have to either chase them out or suggest nicely to get another drink, nonetheless cursing them for being “table hoarders” under their breath.

Interesting anecdote: As Starbucks is open 24/7, I heard that one of the O level muggers actually camped there from midnight to the following morning, where she then took out her uniform to prepare for school. How hard-core is that?

#2 The Project Group

Not only is it a mugging site for students, but it’s also a project meeting place for them. They are the ones whom we may sit beside and hear them yakking on for hours about topics ranging from the arts to the sciences. At times, we may be screaming in our heart “Shut up!” as their conversations always disrupt our train of thought and the desire to chase them away continues to broil in us.

#3 Strangers to Friends

You know those long tables you see every time you walk into Starbucks? That’s where we students mostly gather. Some of the stores have even turned it into a designated studying area, just for us. Personally, it’s one of my favourite areas, as you actually meet students from all walks of life. O Level, A Level, Poly or Uni students all gather here and what do we do besides studying? We make friends! When we get tired from the history questions or mathematics equations we do, we sometimes look up and start to converse with the person seated opposite us. We talk about the usual things that we would mention when we meet new people such as our accompanying comrades or the baristas serving us, and don’t belittle that! The power of conversation when we’re engulfed by our mundane workload can really brighten up our study dates.

#4 The Lovers

This group of people always comes hand in hand, purchases 2 drinks and then settles down together at a pair of those high chairs or round tables for extended cosiness. After settling down, they usually begin their 1-2 hours of heart to heart conversation. They’d talk about anything under the sun, ranging from the little things to the plans they have for later in life. It’s beautiful to observe them from afar as they communicate with passion and wit, with the occasional bursts of laughter.

#5 The Passers-by

Lastly, there’s a group of people who would walk into the café, buy a drink of their choice and then leave the place. Their time in the store is no more than 5 minutes and they’re probably white-collared workers rushing to go home after a day’s work, popping by the neighbourhood Starbucks to get their favourite drink to reward themselves.

Whenever I take short breaks from studying, it’s always good to observe my surroundings and embrace the vibrancy and aromatic coffee smell that wafts from the coffee machines there.