WHO LIVES IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER THE SEA…..

Alright, I’m going to make the assumption that EVERYONE has seen at least one episode (maybe not a full episode) of Spongebob Squarepants. Am I right? Well if you don’t know this cartoon series is about a Sponge, named Spongebob Squarpants who lives in a pineapple under the sea * cues music* and dedicates his life to his job at the Krusty Krab. He lives in the city of Bikini Bottom. Citizens of this city get around on boatmobiles. In almost every episode it establishes the clear competition of the two restaurants (or lack of competition) the Krusty Krab and the Chum Bucket owned by the evil Plankton. Most reoccurring characters are: Spongebob Squarepants, Patrick star, Squidward Tentacles, and Mr. Krabs. Secondary characters include: Pearl, Sandy, Mrs. Puff, Plankton, and Larry.

In all episodes of Spongebob there is an unequal ratio of females to males. The characters that are in all episodes are Spongebob, Patrick, Squidward, and Mr. Krabs, all males. But Spongebob serves as the median between male and female traits, he is presented as a male on the show, but often portrays female traits/actions. For example he often bats his eyelashes, blushes, clasps his hands together and jumps around and also changes the pitch of his voice, sounding feminine. In doing this it shows children the stereotypical ideas of what’s masculine and what is considered feminine.

This show also states how competition is an important factor in the society we live in today. It shows that all restaurants are always in competition, constantly trying to one-up each other. For example, Plankton, owner of the Chum Bucket, is in such a competition with Mr. Krabs, owner of the Krusty Krab, that he constantly tried to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula from the Krusty Krab. He wants to steal this to make his business a more successful enterprise. But in all of Planktons attempts to steal this formula he fails, which also shows an important factor that evil never wins.            

Starbucks: I exceed a 14 on the ph scale

You wake up, feeling very groggy, what do you need? That’s right, coffee, specifically a double shot venti espresso, no foam. As you walk into Starbucks you instantly are put in a studious environment. Couches line the back wall, and many chairs and table filled with students and business workers on their laptops typing away. If you choose to stay you are welcome, if not you need to match the step of the baristas and hurry your way out as soon as you get your coffee. You step up to the cashier, finally after waiting in a line you thought would never end, you order. The sizes are a little different here, it goes: tall, grande, venti and then trenta, Starbucks, all about being fancy with their naming and what not.  The barista asks for your name, writes it on your cup, because you know how important it is to make sure everything is personalized in Starbucks. Of course they make you spell out your name if it is on the more complicated side, can’t spell the customers name wrong! The barista may make a joke or two about your name, maybe even compliment you saying something like “very unique name” or “very weird way to spell your name, but hey its different!”.  Finally after at least 5 minutes you hear “double shot venti espresso for “your name””. Got to make sure everyone gets the right coffee, have to call out your order with your name on it!

Now you may think to yourself “why did I just pay $3.25 for a large (although a large is called a venti size….ooo fancy) for a coffee?” Why did Starbucks come up with their own names for the different sizes of coffee? Why is everything so overpriced? They want you to know the “luxury” of their coffee; the big comfy leather chairs and couches should key you in right there. You’re paying for the cups that are good quality so the coffee doesn’t leak through, the name, the couches, the free wifi, you can stay as long as you want to study! They want you to feel the luxury as soon as you walk in, the business studious environment, only for serious people, with serious attitudes towards their career and/or grades.