I think it's the concept that it's a chain of coffee shops. The two seem like they should be mutually exclusive--at least, I'm old enough to remember coffee shops that were more the haunts of musicians, writers, and other creative types who would pass the hours with a single latte. Starbucks and the others aren't bad per se, their coffee has certainly raised the bar on what's considered drinkable, it's more the idea that it is such a chain. Near where I live, there are three of them within about 3/4 of a mile of each other. And they have drive-throughs. In my caffienated youth, I could not have forseen simply driving through, like McDonald's, and getting a latte. Lattes were meant to be lingered over, not gulped in an SUV on the way to a meeting. But enough nostalgia. They're here, they have their good and bad points, and I wonder if I can get to the one on the way home before rush hour....