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The Daily OrangeBest Things To Do
Best First Date: Starbucks
By Tory Marlin
Posted: 4/17/07, 10:24 PM EST Section: Best of SU
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Radio station
Z89 - Remember that happy feeling brought upon by going to the zoo? That same sensation is produced every morning for many Syracuse residents when the radio flicks on and the Z Morning Zoo blares through. Whether it's the amusing student banter or the great mix of songs played to start the day, the station is the best for everything music. This strength continues for the rest of the day with programs like "The '90s at Noon," "Slammin' 7 @ 7" and the "9 p.m. Z Mix." For your listening pleasure, there is no better than Z89.
Venue
The Dome - Looking back, the best moments any Syracuse University student will have during their educational career will be at the Dome. Class, meals, events, every drunken night - these will all be forgotten (if they haven't already), but those bonding moments in a sea of orange, full of screaming pride, will last a lifetime. Whether it's a sporting event, concert, meal or even Accepted Student Day, when every person's name was flashed across the jumbo screen, there is no venue like the Dome.
Snow activity
Snow Football - Protection is for wimps. The real and truly only way to play the most brutal of American sports is on natural terrain, covered by a blanket of snow, preferably during a blizzard. Only then can football be played like it was meant to, in which men and women alike are half-blind, fully frozen and pushed to the limits. The number of fumbles is high but so is the amount of pride by these noble warriors. Oh, and no two-hand touch: tackle only!
Best local band to rock out to
Ra Ra Riot - In a short time, this group of SU students and graduates have gone from an underground fascination to a true local musical sensation. Blending traditional rock instruments like guitar and drums with the unusual stringed violin and cello, the sound is fantastic on so many levels. It only takes one show to make a listener into a fan, and the band plays all the time.
Quad Activity
Frisbee - A time honored tradition at colleges across the nation. It's almost a rite of passage to actually get a Frisbee toss, or even an all out ultimate game, going on the quad. Standing barefoot on grass with the sun shining down, tossing an aerodynamic curved piece of plastic from friend to friend, there's nothing better. Although moments like these happen few and far between Syracuse's freezing weather, when they do, they are priceless.
Hookup Spot
The Kissing Bench - Legend has it that the couple who rounds first base while sitting on this stone bench right outside The Hall of Languages will eventually get married. While most students disregard this as superstitious nonsense, it at least gives the excuse for a little more one-on-one time with a hookup. And to be fair, the world can always use a little more love.
- Alex Shebar
Best of Syracuse … Why Starbucks is best first date
Forget "Lady and the Tramp," with its spaghetti-sharing routine. Tell "When Harry Met Sally" and its orgasmic deli scene to step aside. Coffee has taken over as the romantic culinary item of our generation. Thankfully, there's a café nestled on the corner of University Avenue and Marshall Street, complete with the aroma of espresso and the sounds of smooth jazz. Never mind that this little café is part of an international corporation with more than 3,000 cafés "nestled" in 37 different countries; here in Syracuse, it's a personal and intimate setting. In fact, Syracuse University students find Starbucks so personal they voted it the number one location for a first date.
"It's a nice, social environment," said Trella Rath, freshman computer science major. The store is a low-key place to spend time with a potential significant other. It's difficult to get to know that hottie from psych lecture by just offering Sudoku tips between Power Point slides. SBux gives students a place to get a little closer and heat things up (strictly with the temperature of the coffee, of course), without putting too much pressure on either party.
If the date doesn't go well, which let's face it, many don't, Starbucks offers some relief in the form of passing acquaintances. "There are always so many people that there's not a lot of pressure to be so one-on-one," said Jenelle Tortorella, freshman broadcast journalism major.
Syracuse Starbucks manager Dave Hoke agreed, "I'd say it's a safe meeting place. It's a very mutual place, a relaxed atmosphere." You and your date can certainly relax without the fear of awkward silences or empty wallets.
First-date money pressure is eased by the cost of the Starbucks favorites. While coffee is significantly cheaper than dinner and a movie, the company's relatively steep prices give the aura of class and still allow guys and girls to argue over who gets to pay. "We see a lot of couples … there's usually a fight on a date situation. She says she will pay, he says he will. Usually the guy ends up winning," Hoke said.
Jake Keefe, freshman acting major, is certainly one guy who thinks Starbucks is a good date location. "I think it's fantastic," he said. "You can really feel free to talk and have a good time."
Perhaps a certain amount of this relaxation comes from the good Starbucks brand name. It's recognizable, not at all foreign and something most people can agree upon. "I think everyone likes Starbucks because you have one in your hometown, so when you're here, you have some connection to it," Rath said.
Sophomore acting major Danielle Von Gal agreed, "It's an intimate atmosphere because it's small. It's neutral and not too serious, but it's not Schine."
Don't let the comfort factor fool you. A Starbucks date doesn't have to be a boring date. It's up to you to get creative.
"People do share the Crumb Cake and Crumbleberry Cake. Those are two-fork orders," Hoke said. You can still order a caramel macchiato, the store's most popular drink, Hoke said, grab two straws and cozy up to your sweetheart. Advice on what to order? As Von Gal offered, "Anything with frosting."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Erin the eater of eggs
posted 4/24/07 @ 12:00 PM EST
Starbucks? get real. whatever happened to the dinner and a movie thing? I personally liked it and wish it would strike out this ridiculous notion that starbucks is a good place to connect with a date. (Continued…)
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