Some Thoughts on Coffee Shops

Recently, I was in Nashville, Tennessee and like I always do, I find local places to hang for the day while I work and study. I like to fill my time until the next appointment or meeting. On this particular day I found Red Bicycle, Coffee, and Crepes. Of course I helped myself to both of the famed delicacies. I had a blast sitting in a corner chair doing the things that needed to get done. People were sitting at tables around me and on benches with laptops and talking or working and enjoying the cold rainy Friday morning. As I was sitting and thinking I began to wonder: Why are coffee shops so popular today?

Well, let me lend you some thoughts that came to mind as I sat in a coffee shop in Nashville. Coffee has been a part of our American history since the beginning, but took on a more important role after 1773. Compared to tea, coffee is far more popular in the United States and that dates all the way back to the Boston Tea Party—where American patriots threw tea overboard to show their disapproval of England’s taxes.  We Americans don’t easily forget the taxes that were imposed upon us in the late colonial days before the revolution. I like to believe that we drink coffee out of rebellion to this day. 

I also thought of a book that I used to read as a child about the Boston Coffee Party. This coffee party was even mentioned in a letter by Abigail Adams to her husband John Adams. Women played a role in making sure that coffee was available at low cost. They took part in an entire riot to make sure prices stayed low. This book is a personal favorite of mine and I think inspired me to stand up for what I believed in all those years ago. 

Another thing that I thought of was how coffee has played a central role in meetings and relationships. Coffee shops are a great place for conversations and even for refuge. There have been times where I was stranded in a city and the local coffee shop was a safe havenWith wifi, coffee, music, and fellowship who wouldn’t want to seek refuge at a local coffee shop in times of uncertainty.

While conversations, fellowship, and work can happen at coffee shops, a fun way to spend a rainy Saturday is sitting in a coffee shop with a book and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. Also let’s not forget how fun people watching can be.Let’s be honest people are interesting and unique and you never know when you might make a new friend or learn something. 

As COVID has taken us remotely, more and more people can be found in coffee shops with laptops and phones doing work. Coffee shops present an atmosphere that is collaborative, but also filled with the sounds and smells of coffee. A question that I have been asking is: are coffee shops the future office? Will we start creating offices around coffee shops? I have no idea, but I could see it being a really neat way to work and motivate those who are not energized by a cubicle or a desk. 

Coffee is important to our society and culture, but I’ll have to be honest and tell you that I don’t actually drink coffee unless it is decaf. So maybe you’re like me and just love the atmosphere.Let me tell you that there are plenty of options out there besides coffee. You can always get hot chocolate! So don’t not visit a coffee shop just because you don’t drink coffee. Join in the fun and be a part of American culture and history. 

Lastly, coffee shops are a part of our lives and I don’t think they are going away. Just think, someday years from now, someone will be writing a book on how coffee shops were a part of American culture in the 21st century. That they helped to shape the world that we know. I, for one, am thankful to be alive right now and be a part of the coffee culture. Let’s go grab some coffee and enjoy the atmosphere with a great conversation, a laptop, or the latest book on how to better ourselves. See you at the coffee shops!