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One of the best ways that travelers get acquainted with the local customs is by stopping into a cafe–any cafe, really–and sitting down for a coffee. It could be early in the morning, right as shops and markets are starting to open. It could be during a slow afternoon stretch where businessmen are having power lunches and ladies of leisure are gossiping. Or it could be late in the evening, when in a surprising number of countries, going out for coffee is a suitable alternative to boozing it up, or a great activity to sober you up at the end of the night.

In fact, it’s easy to learn about a place by studying the caf? lifestyle. For example, if you’re in the United States, in most any city that’s not a New York or a San Francisco, you’re going to find that the way that most people do coffee is as fast as they possibly can. From driving through the window at the local Starbucks to a number of to-go options in malls and shopping centers, coffee isn’t so much an experience to be savored, but a substance to be consumed as quickly as possible. It seems that Starbucks has been responsible for introducing concepts like flavors and soy milk to suburban areas, though, and even Dunkin Donuts has had to step up their game and finally offer espresso.

One spot in the United States where the caf? lifestyle is slightly more thriving that isn’t New York or San Francisco is Portland, where the rain and dreary weather make it pretty much essential to cuddle up with a warm, caffeinated beverage. A lot of places in the world have coffee as a major part of keeping warm, including in The United Kingdom, where a cup of tea might be preferred, but coffee, especially Italian espresso, is finding its stronghold.

A couple of cities in The United States are a better look at what could have been, or rather, what was before Starbucks made carry-out to-go coffee the thing that everyone needed and wanted. At a couple of regal cafes in New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, you’ll get laughed out the door if you try to order a “tall” anything. Families who came to the States managed to order large machines from the old country that make seriously great drinks, so it’s possible to sit for awhile and enjoy a decent coffee and a sandwich with the other people in the neighborhood who value such things.

Probably the biggest difference from country to country is what comes with your beverage. In the States, there’s not going to be any free snacks coming with your cappuccino or latte, but elsewhere in the world, a cafe wouldn’t think of serving you just a coffee. You see, the caf? lifestyle in places like Buenos Aires, Argentina, will practically give you an afternoon snack. Order a coffee–any coffee–and not only will a nice Italian-style espresso-based beverage come out, it will be accompanied by a glass of sparking water, at least three packets of sugar, a couple of tasty cookies, and sometimes a variety of chips or crackers. Likewise, if you’re in Paris, it’s sometimes cheaper to just go with their special, which means that your coffee always comes with a croissant or cookies.

The thing about the snacks in these other countries where the caf? lifestyle is important is that it’s pretty much permission to stay as long as you want. There’s no one trying to turn the tables over fast in the afternoon, and every extra item that comes with that coffee buys you at least ten more minutes to sit, relax, and hang out.

But as the world gets even smaller, countries influence one another even quicker, and the far-flung traditions become something more tangible. When Starbucks opened up in Buenos Aires, they made sure to include a latte with dulce de leche, the tasty local treat that’s a version of caramel. So now that Starbucks knows that is a popular item down in Argentina, they might be bringing it to the United States as a flavor, just like pumpkin or hazelnut.

So the next time you’re on the road, be it in your own country or around the world, if you want to get to know a little more about the city or country you’re visiting, head to any old cafe. The best way to get acquainted, after all, is by steeping yourself in the caf? lifestyle. Who knows what traditions you might pick up and take home with you.

Damian Papworth loves coffee. As such he launched the One Cup Coffee Makers website. Her you can read up about your 1 cup coffee maker

Topics: HEALTH | No Comments »

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