Coffee Black and Egg White

Earlier this year, I walked into one of many Philadelphia Starbucks locations and made a beeline to the first open table that caught my eye. Like a robot, I sat down, took out my laptop, and began typing away furiously. Noise-canceling headphones firmly planted in my ears and thick glasses compromising my peripheral vision served as protection from any and all distractions. It was one of those days when it felt like the entire cosmos was against me. No, literally. In addition to the job interview, performance, and psychology experiment on my plate was an impending snow storm. One of those days when screaming I want my mommy!! (the be-all end-all, obviously) at any random passerby seemed acceptable and normal. The only thing keeping me going was my own bribe. I had told myself I could order my drink after completing three tasks on my list. Yes, it was one of those days.

Just ten minutes had passed when my violent productivity was interrupted by a large mug filled with my "regular" being thrust at me. I looked up to see the shift manager. It's one of those days, isn't it? He asked in his characteristically jovial tone.

I have a couple friends who will agree that the feeling of warmth that comes with being a "regular" at this particular Starbucks location is unparalleled -- receiving a welcoming smile or nod from other regulars as I enter, having my drink ready for consumption before I reach the front of the line -- sometimes it is touching to know that a complete stranger cares. Returning after a brief hiatus, I was welcomed by one of the staff members who joked Where have you been? Don't say Dunkin Donuts. That's like telling a boyfriend you were cheating on him with his brother. It surprised me, but also comforted me, that my absence had been noted at an establishment that received over a hundred customers a day (this is called awesome customer service).

I am a coffee addict.

There is nothing like starting your day with the culmination of malty sweet East African blend with a medley of dark berry notes. The problem arises when you have a 10 PM craving and have no reason to stay up all night because you're no longer in college.

I don't know how I compare to this guy, but the only thing rivaling my love for coffee is my love for coffee shops.

For some inexplicable reason, coffee shops make me feel like a productive and intellectual individual. A real person. Thus, they make for an obvious study (and blogging!) location.

In psychology, the familiarity effect describes the way in which we perceive commonalities between ourselves and those with whom we have frequent contact -- seeing the same person (a stranger) every time you go to a coffee shop, for example. Coffee shops build a sort of secondary community. You look forward to seeing the people you usually see, you feel like you must have had similar experiences, you wonder about their well being when they are absent.

A new revolution, however, is putting the coffee shop as we know it in jeopardy. Some establishments in New York have banned computers and computer-like devices (yes, this means iPads) altogether. Owners argue that their coffee shops are not your "office away from home." Worse, up and coming coffee places are going Euro: this means espresso shots. Coffee bars will provide bar seating and high tables. The perfect location for a quick refuel and nothing more.

Having recently traveled to Europe, I can vouch for the espresso shots, but not so much the chug-and-go mentality. On many an afternoon, my travel companion and I enjoyed one another's company while sipping coffee on an outdoor cafe patio. We people-watched. We had deep and meaningful conversations. We enjoyed lighthearted banter. And we weren't alone. At a cafe in Nice, just moments after sitting down at the table adjacent to ours, two friends spontaneously began conversing with us. One was originally from Colombia but had come to France to study. The other was French with an Italian influence. We shared stories, both parties recognizing that we would never see one another again.

Kaffeeklatsch is not only one of my favorite words in the English language, but also one of my favorite activities. I have lost count of the number of memorable conversations I have had over coffee, the number of acquaintances or friends of friends who, over coffee, have solidified into friendships. That breeding grounds for kaffeeklatsch may soon be a thing of the past is unimaginable.

During my freshman year of college, I frequented a Starbucks located on the outskirts of campus. It was perfect for my one and a half hour break between classes. Incidentally, so did another freshman and fellow member of my dance team. The pleasantly surprising run-ins soon became coordinated visits and in some capacity, lasted throughout our college years. Put simply, w

hat turned into one of my closest friendships of college began with coincidental meetings at a coffee shop.

While I sit at a homey Peet's Coffee near my home amidst those who are quite possibly changing the world, I can only hope that these new attempts to streamline business do not inadvertently sideline social connection.