It's 2017.

Remember when I said I've never had any Starbucks before? Well, just recently, I've had one when Renz and I decided to do our planning at Starbucks for our second public speaking stint. That was my first time to hang out at Starbucks.

Ever.

I came a little early for our meeting so I decided to wait for Renz inside. Entering the coffee shop felt like entering another world I don't belong to. I can feel darting glances from people who I think have spent their entire lives there. Regulars, they call them - totally engrossed, head down to whatever they're working on. I figured, these digital nomads won't really notice this ordinary girl in her ordinary jeans, shirt, and sneakers who's trying to play it cool just so people wouldn't see a complete ignoramus in her.

It was all cool until I accidentally gave out a very loud burp. How classy, di ba? It seems like I couldn't shake off the stigma that's always associated with Starbucks, pang-sosyal lang sya. I froze and scanned the room for disdainful looks, but nobody else looked my way except for the lady barista who just smiled at me. Turns out I was just too sensitive (and I'm not exactly a household name to even be noticed) - they really wouldn't give a crap.

Facebook convo with Jan, when I asked him how to order at Starbucks. Haha (click to enlarge)

I went to the cashier and decided to order what I think is familiar to me. Then reality gave me a sudden slap at the back when I realized that the only coffee I know my entire life is the 3-in-1. Starbucks has been around the city for as long as I can remember. But I wasn't able to try it mainly for two reasons: one, I'm not really a coffee person (unless the situation calls for it); two, I'm too poor for Starbucks.

I skimmed the menu for options which, honestly, isn't really appealing to me. So before I annoy the person next to me for being undecided, I went for the safest drink instead, hot chocolate. I ordered tall and pretended that it's okay to pay 140 pesos for a cup of hot choco even though my insides were already screaming treason! I felt betrayed. I could already buy 2 dozens of Milo sachets for that.

I was mildly disappointed when I learned that tall is actually the smallest and got even more disappointed when the 10-peso sikwates taste even better. But at least, they spelled my name right.

Anyway, yesterday was my first REAL Starbucks experience. I got myself a Banana Split Mocha Frappucino and this time, it did not disappoint. I definitely love it and it even got me too hyper after consuming the whole grande - and that already says a lot for someone who can barely finish a cup of coffee. But then, it's not something I'm willing to shell out my cash for either. #PooritaProblems. Just so you know, we got this for FREE. We availed Jan's BPI rewards which will expire in two days. Sayang din naman kasi.
And because it was my first, I would say, legit Starbucks experience, Jan offered to take that infamous pose-with-my-Starbucks photo to which I told him to make it quick and do it subtly. Wag nyo po akong i-judge. Haha!