"I'll have my coffee to-go, please"

Where did the charm of a latte go? When did we stop having coffee-dates and leisurely coffee breaks? A long time ago we even paired our frothy beverages with croissants as well as an acquaintance every once in a while.

The re-occurring thought of today’s dwindling cafe culture keeps me up at night—although my caffeine consumption could be to blame for that. Traveling around Europe is great for coffee-lovers like myself, as it allows for endless options to explore. Bring a book to a coffee shop to read while sipping a cappuccino, bring a journal and do some writing, or just meet a friend for a nice chat and relax. Whereas in the US, I get in my car, pull up to the drive-thru and get my coffee to-go without hesitation or a single relaxing thought in mind.

While I mainly target the US in this post, the ‘to-go culture’ is definitely alive in larger metropolitan cities everywhere around the world. What was once a luxury has been dwindling down to caffeine addiction and convenience. Stephanie, a student who recently returned from a trip abroad agrees, stating she prefers the European customs to those in the US. “It’s more relaxed and I think it even tastes better if I’m being honest.” She continues, “It seems like a more luxurious experience, whereas when I get a cup of coffee here it’s because I’m just going, going and going.”

Many things factor into the differences between leisurely and necessity when it comes to coffee drinking culture. This begins even with the way the coffee is made and consumed. Rarely will you find drip coffee anywhere in places like Italy or even in the UK. Cappuccinos, macchiatos, café lattes or any kind of frothy beverage really will be the go-to order of any local. This is unless they have resorted to drinking watered down shots of espresso and become desperate, caffeine dependent souls like myself, who (regretfully) often resorts to an Americano.

So since we Americans are, as many call us, ‘workaholics’ maybe we should make a bit more time and effort for an enjoyable cuppa’ Joe. This way we can really appreciate the art of coffee, relaxation and company.

#coffee #culture