Starbucks failed in Australia. Nobody really knows why. They say Starbucks works elsewhere because it is ‘The Third Place”; the first being your home and the second being your work. Obviously America has become a nation of friendless dullards judging by how popular Starbucks is over there.
Personally, my third place is where I’d find my friends and family. I can count at least 10 places I’d rather spend my time than a Starbucks. Fortunately my family is in the restaurant business so at least one of those places includes food and beer. But we all have a place like that, don’t we?
Recently, a man called Ben Ali passed away. Ben opened an eatery called Ben’s Chilli Bowl back in the ‘60s in Washington, DC. Over the years his eatery became an institution; a bastion of non-racialness in a stormy period in the USA’s history. The eatery’s 50th anniversary was a who’s who of politicians, businessmen and celebrities who’d been through the best and worst of times, all the while eating at Ben’s.
A man who has enjoyed Ben’s burgers and hotdogs since inception is the incomparable Bill Cosby. Every time Bill visited the capital he sent for some nosh, always with a side of raw onions. Over time, Ben refused to let Bill pay, eventually putting up a handwritten sign that read: ONLY BILL COSBY EATS HERE FOR FREE.
Very recently, President Obama began eating there, given his new residency a bit down the road. Obviously chuffed with the new clientele, Ben edited the sign slightly to read: ONLY BILL COSBY AND PRESIDENT OBAMA EAT HERE FOR FREE. When Bill heard about this, he rang Ben up and complained that it was bit unfair; after all, Obama hadn’t earned the right. So Ben edited the sign for a third time, adding: BUT HE PAID.
In his eulogy for the legendary restaurateur, Bill Cosby wrote that there was no one else he knew who could make him, and of course anybody, feel at home quite like Ben. There are simply people born with that ability; with that boundless energy for ensuring other people’s comfort.
Fortunately, there are cars like that too. And the new Volkswagen CC is one of them. I can’t remember the last time I drove a car that made me feel so utterly at ease with myself. It’s not showy, but it manages to be classy, elegant and handsome all that the same time. Arriving anywhere in this car is a pleasure; you’re not shouting at everyone with your pants on fire. You’re clearing your throat and adjusting your collar, quietly.
The performance is comforting too. The new 3.6 litre V6 is perfect for this car. Fast enough to keep you interested, loud enough to remind you it’s there and smooth enough to eat up the dreary drive to work with ease. It’s the sort of performance bracket that you can’t help but feel happy about. And the best part is it doesn’t make you want to grit your teeth and impersonate Alonso on a bad weekend. Just ease on the power and let the scenery glide by.
This car is for the sort of individual who doesn’t care about his motor’s performance figures, and certainly couldn’t care to google them. So I won’t bother you with details, but rest assured, this car is startling fast if you want it to be.
The interior is superb. Exceptionally comfy and supportive seats are hewn from fine leather. The centre console is a pleasure to use and I find VW’s touch screen technology to be leaps ahead of Audi’s MMI or whatever it’s called. Go for the big sound system; it’s worth every penny.
The thing about the Volkswagen group these days is that when you buy any of their cars, what you’re actually buying is an assortment of nine of their other cars. The chassis from an Audi, the suspension from an Audi, the gearbox from an Audi, the engine…okay so you’re buying an Audi with a bit of VolksWagen on top.
But what you get is a car that makes people like you. People let you out of side-turnings. Petrol attendants skip to your assistance. Somebody actually offered me a parking bay that they were about to dive into. I’m not kidding. In the equivalent Audi people just insult you via Bluetooth.
After just 4 days with this car I started thinking that this was the silliest car VW has ever made. Because having driven it, the last car I would ever buy is the Audi A4.
I know Audi’s are all the rage these days. I know they have marvellous interiors and snazzy LED headlamps. I know they get to 100km/h in less than 3 seconds and they have Quattro drivetrains that will pull you up a conveniently placed ski ramp. They are exquisite, in the same way that 33g of fillet, topped with a solitary mushroom and drizzled with the jus of a grated Koala Bear is exquisite. But from day to day, I’d rather have a burger at Ben’s.
Tags: ali, barack, ben, bill, cc, cosby, obama, passat, president, volkswagen, vw
We both forgot to mention the “carbon footprint of a Saudi prince”. Damn.
[Reply]