hmm.. I dun understand, won't the cement comes out since the basin is inverted.. and the cement may scratch the floor..

Starbuck table is dirt cheaper

robin - hello? cement/concrete sets and hardens permanently lah my friend!
the base with cement inside is quite heavy and the tables are not meant to be moved around. I didnt see any scratches on the tiled floor as well.

Starbucks - expensive coffee n cheap tables?

interesting tables! and the traditional marble top too! Hm... should I try out with the one at home?

but the tables r too heavy to move for cleaning liao!

Bet you don't see original and creative stuff like this at your local Coffee Bean or Starbucks outlets!

Originality and creativity are for humans (ecch). We should be thankful that our corporate masters are helping bring convenient, mindless order into our lives. After all, people are only truly happy if they don't have to make any decisions.

(The scariest thing is that there are people that actually believe that.)

Brunei - I didn't even know that country existed until I went to the 87 World Expo in Vancouver, B.C. (Canada). My friends and I saw a beautiful and exotic-looking pavilion entitled "Brunei Darussalam" We said, "Where the **** is THAT?" and went in. We were surprised at how beautiful and unique it was, especially considering how small the country is.

Face it: Americans stink at geography.

moody - your comments are at the same time biting commentary, provocative and interesting ... as always!

How do u do that? Or is it an 'american thingy'? More like a moody exclusive now that panda has apparently taken a hiatus here! heehee ;)

fh2o; the idea of 'creativity' with reference to Starbucks et al supposes people will engage with the unknown - unfortunately (?) humans have learned that conservative actions are safe with respect to physical and mental well-being, ergo Starbucks is a perfectly safe place, but the food stall at a night market may be dangerous. My own experiences in Sarawak lead me in other directions, but that is fodder for conversation.

Moody; the comments above are related to your comments, and I hope sincerely that they are taken as complimentary - electronic posting can be hazardous. While Americans may be lousy at geography (in the 'where is that place' idea) a recent study in Europe suggest no better performance in German students with respect to geography - senior students being unable to find France on a map without any countries named...

As a geographer (urbanist actually, but close enough) I always promote the ownership of a really good atlas. Or two.

My apologies for such a long post to fh2o's blog

flaneur - no apologies are necessary as I welcomed your comments!

hmmmm ... now I sit back and see what moody has to say about what you said! ;)
(i love this!)

I am waiting too..

Oh, no!
I've been given a spotlight, and here I am, caught with my pants down! My brains are too splattered right now to be of much use! So much for being the champion of American dignity here...

Actually, Flaneur, I think you hit the nail right on the head. People will tend to follow the path of least resistance, i.e. the "safe" route. That's why chain stores like Starbucks and McDoorknobs...er...McDonalds are taking over the world. If you go to a global chain just about anywhere in the world, you know exactly what you're getting. On the other hand, go to that old and dingy-looking grease trap across the street from your hotel and you might just get a beautiful case of heartburn as a souvenir...and get acquainted with some very interesting cockroaches.

German students couldn't find France on a map of Europe? No surprise there. The Germans have been overlooking France for centuries. "What? Does that country even still exist? Haven't they surrendered to anyone recently?"

(Smile on...tongue in cheek here. I have some French ancestry in my family tree on my father's side.)