Interesting analysis. If you’re into efficient operations, consider making coffee at home/office and either make your own banana bread (easy and far tastier!) or skip it!
Incidentally in countries like Australia or Italy Starbucks has not made significant inroads apart from some tourist areas.
Maybe it is the baristas. I sent my girlfriend to order - I usually do - because I avoid interacting with people trying to sell me anything for the same reason I use adblock while surfing and don't own a TV set. If buying coffee is anything like described in this conversation the experience would probably have been a lot more negative. Seeing someone acting as a friend for tips.
On a same trip we ate in KFC - my first and last time. I was like woah - who on earth would actually choose to eat this crap given about any choice... Compared to that the Starbucks coffee was ok, maybe a little bland.
Of course we didn't order any pint sized sugary things Americans seem to prefer because we enjoy being skinny and looking good.
Especially especially if you're at Pike Place. It's not even the real original Starbucks location!