Teacher Liu, have you heard? Some Starbucks stores in Guangdong, Guangxi, and other places have opened study areas where you can sit and study without even buying coffee, and still use free Wi-Fi and power outlets.

I just saw the news about that — I think it’s pretty interesting. Starbucks has always emphasized the ‘third place’, but completely opening seats for free is a first. Do you think this might affect normal business?

I’m a bit curious — if we don’t order drinks, would the store still welcome us to stay for a long time? But the staff said they don’t require purchases, which sounds quite relaxed.

Actually, this could be seen as a cultural phenomenon. Coffee shops in China are becoming more like ‘shared study rooms’, offering quiet corners for people. Now that it’s summer vacation, many students might need to review for exams.

Right. In Japan, if you sit in a coffee shop for a long time without ordering, the staff might remind you. China’s open approach feels like a kind of ‘hospitality’. But do you think some people might just come for the air conditioning and Wi-Fi?

Hard to say. Some might worry that this would leave no seats for paying customers. But Starbucks has always wanted people to gather, study, and talk here, showing inclusiveness. Would you like to give it a try?

I’m kind of tempted! But I’m also wondering — will this model spread to more cities in the future? And if no one orders, can coffee shops still make money?

That’s exactly the question to think about. Maybe Starbucks is exploring a new model for social and study spaces. In any case, such spaces certainly make things more convenient for learners.