Why do people in Manila consider STARBUCKS an "only for rich people" place?

[tokyo_nikko_83]

Hey! I've just been wondering why the people in the Philippines..especially in Manila consider STARBUCKS a place only for them (pertaining to the rich peepz)! I mean, i was there for a summer vacation last July-August and boy what did I see? I see people going in and out of the shops with they're orders and feel as though they're all that already! I was like, "dang...she's kidna ghetto"..considering that she felt as though that she found gold at STARBUCKS!. She was also holding her Cappuccino like a trophy!
If I were to compare the people in Manila's mentality towards STARBUCKS to the ones here in LA, it's so different. I'm a STARBUCKS fanatic..and I always purchase something right after I get out of school for refreshment. However, I consider it a normal thing..mainly because..THERE'S REALLY NOTHING IN ITS COFFEE...it's only STARBUCKS! C'mon...hello..for some of the peepz in Manila who downgrade some of the poor people...think twice.coz' you're kind of ignorant treating them with this kind of attitude. One more thing..can you guys please post your comments/critiques here? Thanks again!

[kirstenn]

who would pay Php 80.00 + for coffee?

[+summer+]

kirstenn is right. only a fool would pay THAT much for coffee. people don't go to starbux to drink coffee -- they go there to be SEEN. it's absoutely pathetic to see people flaunt their strarbucks drink like it's worth a billion pesos.

[Ada]

Here's a related thread you might want to read: BAKIT USONG-USO ANG STARBUCKS SA MGA PINOY?

[thatgirl]

Originally posted by kirstenn
who would pay Php 80.00 + for coffee?

it's not really that expensive. not all the coffee necessarily cost P80. the ordinary coffee costs about P35 i think for the smallest size.

and .. i would pay P80 for coffee. mainly because the cappuccino tastes pretty nice and i think it's pretty much worth it.

[crescent]

natatawa nga ako coz d ba starbucks has this new line of drinks that doesn't have any caffeine in it for those who aren't really into coffee? well, i tried the vanilla frap ata iyon and it tasted like the sundae hot fudge ice cream of mcdo na natunaw na! ngek!

[alemrac]

Originally posted by +summer+
kirstenn is right. only a fool would pay THAT much for coffee. people don't go to starbux to drink coffee -- they go there to be SEEN. it's absoutely pathetic to see people flaunt their strarbucks drink like it's worth a billion pesos.

haha this is so true.

[Ira]

Originally posted by thatgirl
it's not really that expensive. not all the coffee necessarily cost P80. the ordinary coffee costs about P35 i think for the smallest size.

and .. i would pay P80 for coffee. mainly because the cappuccino tastes pretty nice and i think it's pretty much worth it.

I guess it would be easy for the middle and upper class to spend P80 on a cup of coffee. I personally won't think twice about it. But throwing away close to P100 for a cup of coffee isn't as easy for people who don't have parents who give them allowances or who barely survive with their wages. P80 would be more than what a lot of so-called "common tao" spend to feed a whole family for a day.

[tamisguy]

I agree with ma'am Ira. I think considering the demographics in the phils, alot of people would consider an 80 pesos cup of coffee too luxurious and financially unwise. Alot of people would rather spend that on food than just coffee. It would be nice if all filipinos can afford a frappucino every now and then. However, reality dictates that the poorer people in the country can't really afford to buy the starbucks coffee.

[- Caligirl -]

Here in the US, $3-5 is nothing as in most people could just throw that amount away if they wanted to. I guess it's a totally different situation in the Philippines cuz sadly, a lot of people there don't even get half the salary of what people here make. I think it's pretty unfair but unfortunately, that's just how it is.

[clawed_out]

go ate ira! so true, so true!

hmmm & sa usa, madami ring coffe joints that tastes better than starbucks MINUS THE HYPE, but the price is almost the same, some are cheaper some are otherwise..

[chick-boy]

i think because of the prices and the ambiance of the place

[d'sound]

SIMPLE...3 THINGS:


CROWD: Most of the people who used to drink coffee here in the Manila are yuppies meaning YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, I think the ambiance is good to discuss some business matters...
On the other hand, teens get to hangout and meet friends because Starbucks is the most popular coffee shop here in Manila...Why? They had the best coffee here in Manila...compared to other coffee shops...And most teens think its a 24-hour bar wher you could go find a goodtime while having coffee instead of drinking liquor. Would you think JOLOGS kind of people would get the nerve to join the crowd?? Plus hello??? its a decent place and that its not like a 7-Eleven wherein its open 24 hrs for the MASA...

BUDGET: Well, I guess most of you have tried drinking their coffee and that Im sure you could still remember the time that you bought your first drink at Starbucks and Im sure youre pretty much surprised when the lady at the counter tells you that a cup of coffee costs 80 bux and that its just a coffee??? Even lollipops n candies there are expensive. Actually the target market as I can see of Starbucks is more on the A & B...so definitely you wont see some JOLOGS in the place...its like this...there's a coffee made for the rich or lets say not really rich...those people who can afford to buy and spend that amount with a cup of coffee and coffee made just for the simple people... Its like Jollibee and Mc Donalds...they look the same, the food are the same, but they differ in price...Like Zagu and other pearl shakes all over Metro Manila...diba dami na imitations???


BRAND: Well, Starbucks is Starbucks...It was made for people who are willing to spend just for a coffee...those coffeeholic addicts...parang its like wearing signature clothes...there is also signature brands in coffee...Actually for me, I dont really prefer Starbux as the BEST coffee in town...There's Figaro, Coffee Central, Coffee Experience, and other cheaper coffee shops...well I guess Starbucks is just that POPULAR among the people...and well I think everyone is welcome to go drop by the place and take a sip on their mug! I dont remember seeing an R18 or RA&B in every doors...its just a matter of every one's social life.

HEY GUYS IM JUST SPEAKING FOR MYSELF OK...DONT WANNA BE A HYPOCRITE LANG...TO EACH IS OWN...

[Free Agent]

I guess because they have the most expensive coffee in the world? Only rich people can afford that. It's the place of the rich and famous and it's a place where you're glorified when you're seen in it on a Friday or Saturday night, wearing the nicest of clothes, chatting with your friends while holding the latest Nokia cellphones.

Am I right or am I right?

Starbucks has the best Iced Choco in the land though!

No offense sa mga tinamaan! Just pointing out an obvious fact coz I've been there at those times. I've stopped now, though. It's not worth it spending more than P50 for coffee or iced choco.

[purple_madness]

Originally posted by Free Agent
I guess because they have the most expensive coffee in the world? Only rich people can afford that. It's the place of the rich and famous and it's a place where you're glorified when you're seen in it on a Friday or Saturday night, wearing the nicest of clothes, chatting with your friends while holding the latest Nokia cellphones.

Am I right or am I right?

Starbucks has the best Iced Choco in the land though!

No offense sa mga tinamaan! Just pointing out an obvious fact coz I've been there at those times. I've stopped now, though. It's not worth it spending more than P50 for coffee or iced choco.

i beg to disagree. starbucks' coffee is not the most expensive coffee in the world. it's the jamaican blue mountain.

anyway...
i think that kaya popular yung starbucks kasi masarap yung coffee nya and geared towards the pinoy taste --- on the sweetish side. and besides, it's not only their coffee that's sinful. i absolutely adore their cheesecake, and salads their flavored teas rip you off though.

there was this one time na medyo napikon lang ako kasi dami tao ang my system was screaming caffeine.. i needed coffee badly and when i got my coffee and all, la ko maupuan and these bunch of school girls were just giggling away in their chairs nursing a bottle of SNAPPLE! hello? dalhin nyo na sa school bus nyo yan! i dont mean to be a snob you know but i get really b1tchy when the caffeine level of my system plummets. i dont dont have exclusive seating rights, but my god, a freakin snapple? for the four of them? really!

[f0r5aK3n]

Starbucks sell Jamaican Blue Mountain.. It is the most expensive "coffee bean brand" in the world....

[cherub_08]

people in manila do not consider starbucks "only for rich people" because starbucks' market caters to upper and middle class bracket. they are the ones who can afford the prices, which is kinda expensive for a cup of coffee. i also agree with +summer+, most people go there to SEE who goes there, and be SEEN. but then, there are also those who go there because they just love their coffee.

[BOMBA_STARR]

RICH!? Hell I don't know. I don't mind drinking kapeng barako but neither do I mind drinking at Starbucks. I would drink more often pero as you guys have said, one goes there to be seen. That's why I don't go there - naiilang ako sa mga tao. Sobrang bongga manamit at kung anu-anong gadget ang dala. Nakakailang lang kasi medyo super ordinaryo ako kung manamit at susi lang ang talagang dala ko.

[tamisguy]

U sjouldn't be intimidated by anybody because of the way you look or dress. U shouldn't stop doing what you like to do because of other people. Sometimes our own perception of ourselves prevent us from doing things we like. Go on girl and get your self a latte or something. Gusto mo samahan pa kita eh.

[winterswirl]

raising a hand here!!!!

i just love coffee!!! Starbucks' offers the best coffee blends for my taste! but i do drink coffee in any other Coffee Shops din naman...(Figaro/Coffee Beanery/Tubbie's/Mrs. Bean's/ Coffee Experience/Cafe' Allegro etc.) so there

i'm not rich...but i won't think twice on spending for my Coffee Frap with Irish Cream, Extra whip and extra caramel drizzle or my Caramel Macchiato... hihihi...

Originally posted by cherub_08
there are also those who go there because they just love their coffee.