What do people do in starbucks during the day?
There are many different species milling about.
They all exist together. They come and go. But, universally, doesn't matter what Starbucks in NYC you're in. The key players are all the same.

We have:
Crazy lady with ALL those bags
Unemployed guys being loud
People with laptops pretending to work
People with laptops actually working
Cell phone users annoying everyone like a virus
The employee who’s so clean, they keep moving your stuff to tidy
Kids demanding overpriced juices
The homeless guy looking for a warm seat
More unemployed guys being loud
Local actors reciting their lines hoping to be discovered
Voyeurs
Voyeurs watching other voyeurs
Self-important interviewers
Desperate interviewees

In the end, those that are the most patient win the glory of a few moments peace, the seat without schmutz, or the view out the window.
Those that are willing to wait, watch the crazies, the homeless, the loud, the annoying eventually walk out the door.
But, you have to be patient. And then you will claim your space back...simply by never leaving it.
The question is, do I have the patience to wait out all these characters?