What better way to indulge in my (belated) afternoon coffee than my writing about coffee?
I'm not much of a coffee shop person, though I do enjoy taking my coffee outside with me, whenever possible., mayhaps to a park, or on a long walk. Sitting as much as I do already at my desk, I have little desire to enjoy my coffee sitting still somewhere. In fact, it's one of the perceived snags when visiting a coffee house with friends. So when out with someone, I always prefer grabbing a to-go cup, and going for a walk with that person. I just find it so much easier, not just movement-wise, but also intimacy-wise.
While mobile, you can talk about anything, and yet it's all left inevitably behind in the streets you've already walked. I like that, sometimes. And you get some steps in, so that's always a plus.
What about single coffee?
Another place where one must be judged by their social status! Just kidding.
I have a good friend who goes to coffee houses to work, which to me is a mystifying undertaking. For some reason unexplained to me, I have trouble concentrating when there's lots of people around. There's an anxiety there, which makes malls or crowded areas agitating. The same is true about cafes. I have a hard enough time sitting in a cafe chatting with somebody, let alone engaging in something that is, to me, sacred -- writing.
If I have to sit somewhere, I'll typically sit wherever is most quiet. Outside, typically, though some places favor that garishly loud music in the garden, which is a complete turn-off for me.
Last weekend, I was between two workshops, though, had about ninety minutes to kill, and I saw little point going all the way home only to come back to the city centre. And since it was rainy and miserable out, I decided to track down good coffee in the near vicinity and settle down. I'd brought my book, so all was well in the universe, and I even indulged with a little pain au chocolat.
And I settled down with my flat white and my treat, inside this lovely tiny coffee house, but just as I did, an older couple came by. It seemed they were friends with the young barrista, and they promptly got to chatting for the next 25 minutes or so. Though I still enjoyed the coffee and the warmth, the natter made it impossible to focus on my book, so I spent a bit of time watching the rain and texting with friends instead. That, I can focus on, but only because it requires little active attention (most times).
Thankfully, they didn't stay that long, and then the barrista left for a smoke as well. It was like having my own little private coffee room, and I could finally get some reading done. Lovely thing, coffee houses, it's a shame they're inhabited.
This week, the Cinnamon Cup Coffee Community is wondering where we sit in coffee shops, and why we do. But for me, it's a pretty eclectic answer. If I can get away with it, I won't sit at all. I want to move for all the hours I spend at my computer already. Though being between dance workshops Saturday, I enjoyed the respite.
If I have to sit, I'll always seek out the quiet. Some people like to pick the fancier looking table in the joint, or the one with the most natural light. I like those things, too, but if the unassuming tiny table at the back is quietest, I'll take it gladly. I can't focus on people or things when people are to-and-fro-ing about me. And I can never ever resist listening in on other people's conversations when they're sat close by, which in turn makes me a distracted listener to my own conversation partner or my work.
Most of the time, I'll just take coffee at home, in a habitat I can control, where the music's just right, and I get to work on my story. :) What about you?
