People go on about places like Starbucks being unpersonal and all that, but what if that's what you want? I'd be lost if people like that got their way and there was nothing unpersonal in the world. I like to know that there are big places without windows where no one gives a shit. You need confidence to go into small places with regular customers... I'm happiest in the Virgin Megastore and Borders and Starbucks and Pizza Express, where no one gives a shit and no one knows who you are. My mum & dad are always going on about how soulless those places are, and I'm like Der. That's the point.
In the quote from Nick Hornby's "A Long Way Down," the speaker expresses a preference for impersonal environments like Starbucks and other large chains. They understand that some people criticize these places for lacking personality, but for them, the anonymity and lack of connection are appealing. The speaker values the freedom that comes with being in spaces where no one knows them, allowing for a sense of independence and ease that smaller, more familiar locales may not offer.
This perspective emphasizes the comfort found in settings where the chatter of regulars isn't present, highlighting a desire for solitude in bustling environments. The speaker's parents may see these commercial spaces as devoid of character, yet the speaker revels in their lack of emotional attachment, finding happiness in their anonymity. This reflects a broader conversation about how different individuals engage with public spaces and what they seek from their experiences in them.