I am still haunting the coffee shops because they are the only thing open at 7:30 am on a Sunday morning. I do not come to this Peet's very often because it is small and because I do not have a card that will let me add value to it like Starbuck's does.
Today's experience did not start off well since I was told that the complimentary free coffee coupon someone gave me was only good for $1.65 off of a cup of coffee. This was a significant disappointment since I was expecting the $5 value that I received from the free coupon from Seatle's Best Coffee. I spent a few minutes quarreling with the woman barista pointing out that the card distinctly says ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY COFFEE OR TEA. Miffed, I ordered a glass of milk.
Peet's offers wireless the same as the other downtown coffeehouses here in Santa Cruz. They issue you a cash register receipt with a pass code good for one hour on the Net. Despite my upset at the chintziness of their coupons and internet access--Starbucks allows you two hours, and Seattle's Best and Santa Cruz Roasting unlimited time--my fury is abating as I think of the good things about the place.
Ahmed said that Peets first opened in Berkeley. It has always been a competitive alternative to Starbucks. It is socially aware and earth-conscious as a business, and it was one of the sponsors of the the Cinequest Film Festival that I volunteered at this year. Furthermore, as I deliberate a little more, I realize that perhaps our country is in an economic shambles because too many businesses promised outrageous perks that they could not really afford and thus went into bankruptcy, or caused others to over extend themselves.
Offering one hour of Internet access when you have seating for six at a counter, and maybe a dozen more at the tables, is not that unreasonable.
As for my personal situation, homeless, jobless, but free as a bird, I am still looking for the perfect hangout. Maybe there is not one perfect one. Together, in combination, the bistros, bookstores, cinemas, cafes, and libraries in Santa Cruz offer much of what I need.
Today's experience did not start off well since I was told that the complimentary free coffee coupon someone gave me was only good for $1.65 off of a cup of coffee. This was a significant disappointment since I was expecting the $5 value that I received from the free coupon from Seatle's Best Coffee. I spent a few minutes quarreling with the woman barista pointing out that the card distinctly says ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY COFFEE OR TEA. Miffed, I ordered a glass of milk.
Peet's offers wireless the same as the other downtown coffeehouses here in Santa Cruz. They issue you a cash register receipt with a pass code good for one hour on the Net. Despite my upset at the chintziness of their coupons and internet access--Starbucks allows you two hours, and Seattle's Best and Santa Cruz Roasting unlimited time--my fury is abating as I think of the good things about the place.
Ahmed said that Peets first opened in Berkeley. It has always been a competitive alternative to Starbucks. It is socially aware and earth-conscious as a business, and it was one of the sponsors of the the Cinequest Film Festival that I volunteered at this year. Furthermore, as I deliberate a little more, I realize that perhaps our country is in an economic shambles because too many businesses promised outrageous perks that they could not really afford and thus went into bankruptcy, or caused others to over extend themselves.
Offering one hour of Internet access when you have seating for six at a counter, and maybe a dozen more at the tables, is not that unreasonable.
As for my personal situation, homeless, jobless, but free as a bird, I am still looking for the perfect hangout. Maybe there is not one perfect one. Together, in combination, the bistros, bookstores, cinemas, cafes, and libraries in Santa Cruz offer much of what I need.
