Is Starbucks For Me?

Last Sunday I had some rare time to myself. The day started with friends and brunch at First Watch (amazing food! If there's one near you, you have to go!). I did some shopping and browsing at a few favorite places, and then, because there was nothing to stop me, I carried my copy of On Writing and a notebook into Starbucks, ordered, and claimed a table.

You know what I learned?

I'm too distractable to spend any lengthy amount of time in Starbucks. Sure, I love the idea of losing myself in a book, or crafting a handwritten masterpiece. Taking a break to sip my delicious coffee and then losing myself all over again.

But other people are there. There's a part of me that wonders what will they order? (And then the inevitable, Mmm, that sounds gooood, why didn't I order that?) What are they doing today? What's their name? Do I look ridiculously obvious, sitting here with my writing stuff?

There are windows to look out from, decor to weigh in on, interactions to soak up. And then, when a few young girls who haven't seen each other in months swoop into the store, giggly and high-pitched and loud, talking about someone's engagement, well? How am I supposed to concentrate?

I guess I enjoy the experience of my space at home best. Settling in at my desk or reading chair, into that familiar comfort.

Oh, I'll go back to Starbucks. I know I will. (I still have a balance on my gift card.) And if I'm sans kidlets, I'll grab a table. But next time I'll take just a notebook, with the intention of jotting blurbs about what I see around me. People-watching - "researching" - is one of the things I do best, after all. Maybe I just have to fine-tune what I do when I'm in a coffeehouse.

What are your experiences at Starbucks (or that local coffeehouse) like?