Comments on: Guest Post: Author of Passeggiata, GG Husak

By: Passeggiata - Book Review of G.G. Husak's Passeggiata | Bleeding Espresso

Passeggiata - Book Review of G.G. Husak's Passeggiata | Bleeding Espresso — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:11:57 +0000

[...] back when G.G. Husak, author of Passeggiata: Strolling Through Italy, guest posted here? Well today we’re talking more about the book; here is my [...]

By: GG Husak

GG Husak — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:21:48 +0000

It does seem like Starbuck’s has inspired a few independent coffee shops in the U.S. that might not have opened without their inspiration and that might be good.

But it would be nice if the default, when someone orders a coffee, could be a real cup, as in Italy, instead of “to go.” I used to think it was because everybody in the U.S. was in a hurry and didn’t stop to sit down and relax…but now I realize almost everybody at Starbuck’s gets a carryout cup..even if they sit down at a table to drink it. And how the trash piles up!

I also used to worry that Starbuck’s might move into the coffee shop market in Italy, but no more. I trust that the Italian sense of the right way to appreciate both the coffee itself and the experience of enjoying it will prevail.

GG Husak

Author of Passeggiata: Strolling Through Italy

http://www.passeggiataitalia.com

I still think Starbucks has a place in more touristy areas and also with the youth…kids love to be different

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:23:27 +0000

Finally catching up and this post reminds me of an entry I did on my blog a couple of years ago when visiting Paris and served a coffee drink in a paper cup. I called it The End of Civilization as We Know It.

I like a to go cup as much as the next person, when I’m in my car in traffic, but I also love sitting in a coffee shop, drinking an espresso or cappuccino out of a real cup.

Kim’s last blog post..Are You Cluttered

Hah, thanks for the link to your post

By: Irene

Irene — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:32:01 +0000

To answer your last question: I hope not! I love this kind of information that makes one feel more 'appropriate' when visiting a foreign country. Just between the two of us, I do not like tourists who want to bring the country they visit to their standards. What's the point of eating a Big Mac or having Starbucks in Italy? It is purely plainly hubris. Have a great, spring filled week ahead. Irene’s last blog post..Vibrant Victorian-India Knight's London Home Spring? Really? Fingers crossed....

By: Jean-Pierre

Jean-Pierre — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:03:38 +0000

I love Italian style coffee (being that I am Italian), and I love Canadian/American style drip coffee with cream (being that I am Canadian). But Starbucks is an unholy mix of the two styles. Jean-Pierre’s last blog post..Eat like a Paesan That may the best description of Starbucks I've ever read, Jean-Pierre. Bravo!

By: Cathi

Cathi — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:54:37 +0000

I live in Southern California and ocassionally frequent Starbucks, but we have so many independent cafes here that I do seek them out instead of Starbucks. For me, when I am sipping my espresso or cappaccino I like to have a few moments to just relax and chat with a friend, and use a ceramic mug instead of a to go cup. Our world is too busy as it is – but I don’t budge on this daily necessity for myself. The Italian cafes sound like heaven – I hope to be able to visit them someday!

Cathi’s last blog post..Remembering Judy

I hope you can too, Cathi! Thanks for stopping by

By: jmisgro

jmisgro — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:46:12 +0000

Last time I went to Starbucks (I have gone maybe 3 times) the coffee was cold! Yuck! I don’t even buy their beans. Half of them are not roasted all the way or they were roasted to a crisp.
I would have to drive 20 miles to get to one so it’s not on my radar!

jmisgro’s last blog post..Did you hear about this???

Hah, guess you won’t be visiting them in Italy either

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:10:18 +0000

I have lived in, travelled through, or worked in at least 150 countries. There is no coffee like Italian coffee. Punto.

I am sure if Starbucks would come, just like McDonalds, they would have a degree of success. Not because of their taste, but because of the culture they bring with them.

Sad cheap Americanism.

Peter’s last blog post..Turning CO2 pollution into fuel

Indeed, Peter

By: lara dunston

lara dunston — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:59:04 +0000

Starbucks coffee is uniformly dreadful everywhere. I just don't get it. Never have. Never will. But then I don't get Cafe Americana or percolated coffee either. Why would you want to burn coffee???? Only the Italians really know how to do coffee best. And then anyone who mimics the Italian style. After that my preference is Turkish/Greek/Arabic coffee - completely different of course, but boy does it have some kick! And then there's the Arabic coffee with cardomom and cloves, and Indian Chai... the authentic stuff! So why, with so many wonderful ways to drink coffee around the world - all of them easy to learn how to make - would people buy Starbucks? I really don't get it. lara dunston’s last blog post..Twitter: 50 great travel tweeters Oh if only we could explain the appeal of mass market rubbish....

By: Ice Tea For Me

Ice Tea For Me — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:26:56 +0000

I'll admit it I'm a huge Starbuck's drinker, all my friends know they can't go wrong giving me a Starbuck's Gift Card. That being said I am totally against Starbuck's being in Italy nor would I enter one. Having a caffe' in Italy isn't just about the steamy liquid gold but the experience, history, and passion Italians have for their beloved bean. Anyone visitng Italy would be crazy not to embrace the culture and caffe' and step up to the bar to order and drink a cup, Italian style. Don't get me wrong, that will be me in line at the first Starbuck's on my trip home. Hi Michelle, stop by my blog and enter my drawing celebrating my blogs 1st anniversary and 100th post. Ice Tea For Me’s last blog post..celebrate & giveaway Will do! I still have until February 28th to mention it a post, right? I'm on it!