My Wired Counterparts

There are different types of coffee shop patrons; I have observed this over the years at numerous coffee shops. With every form of social activity there are participants with varying personalities. They interact in unique ways, for better or worse. Impromptu groups form, in which one person leads the discussion, providing social cohesion. In a coffee shop, these spontaneous connections create a vibrant feeling of community that lasts for a long time. Every person contributes something positive, to create a beautiful, multi-colored tapestry.

People go to coffee shops for different purposes, often related to their age, their profession or their lot in life. Why people go to coffee shops determines how they behave and present themselves. They could be seeking a mid-day pick-me-up, a hangout spot, a workspace, an arranged meeting, a hot date, or visiting their favorite barista. 

A diverse clientele is good because they all have their own perspectives and opinions. Patrons also share interesting experiences, facts, jokes and captivating personas. The high achieved from the caffeine drug makes any quest or venture worthwhile. It also makes any book or article seem the most interesting piece ever read by the coffee drinker. People will be motivated and enthusiastic for any thought or urge that pops up in their brains.

There are always great opportunities for people-watching, to observe mankind in its natural setting and to get acquainted with the latest societal trends. You get to observe people's quirks and peccadillos. People can have some pretty odd ways of speaking and behaving. Some people are the nasty, pleasure-seeking sons of bitches whom others avoid.

 Coffee shop patrons represent a random sampling of everyday Americans, pointing to social realities and new societal trends. Every demographic, viewpoint and philosophical paradigm is represented. When you see enough people interacting in groups, you will learn a lot about human nature and society. You can easily pick up on new social trends, especially if people discuss it openly, as with Pokémon Go.

At these venues you can observe people in certain types of social interactions. You get to see dating couples, open conversations, groups of friends, families and business meetings. With first dates, the rendezvous are often nervous and subdued, with the man talking incessantly in order to try to impress the woman. Established couples usually prefer couches or tables in the corner, so they can cuddle up, kiss and flirt with each other. Open conversations among strangers provide for the long-term success of a coffee shop; new customers are transformed into regulars. A group of friends will share past experiences, discuss favored topics and gossip about mutual friends. 

 Families come in most often on Saturdays, but the situation is sometimes awkward because some kids really don’t want to be there, but are forced by their parents. With business meetings, people are very professional and work hard to impress each other. They are well-dressed, polite, and concise, and tend to use a lot of job-specific jargon. It is their chance to shine!

There is a coffee shop culture in America that developed in the late 1990s. In addition to regular coffee, these local places sell lattes, iced coffees and other specialties. Lattes are the sign of a cultured individual. There are also fattening, so people limit their latte intake. Iced coffee is popular in the summertime, and among affluent, cultured young professionals. The pastries, doughnuts and muffins are also important for coffee shops; they are better at more expensive places. Smoothies also vary from location to location, and are loved by health nuts and vegetarians.

There are some cool reading materials for bibliophiles who often visit these spots. Most coffee shops have newspapers that patrons peruse. The more expensive places have numerous magazines, including arts periodicals such as the New Yorker. Coffee shops also feature local arts publications, such as The Elucidator. I enjoy looking over bookshelves with novels - I've seen these at places such as The Wise Bean and Coffee House Without Limits. They are often older, paperback novels that are gripping reads, especially if they are mysteries.

For social types, there are frequently open conversations, reminiscent of the barber shops of the 1950s and 60s. It is a great way to meet new people! Small talk can quickly evolve into some very exciting and worthwhile conversations. These conversations also present many opportunities for romance. It is a situation ripe for flirtation among singles! You get to talk to people from all walks of life, so your social life is enriched, while you learn about different cultures, lifestyles and generations. Any gossip will teach you more about man's dark side.

And, best of all, coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi offered to customers. Many ambitious patrons, including freelance professionals, use this popular feature with their laptops, turning their computers into effective workstations. Hip young adults tend to focus intently on their iPads and smart phones, using them for online games and social media. We are a Facebook world and coffee shops help facilitate that!

When you attend a coffee shop you get to meet the various species of coffee shop patrons. These individuals include working professionals, local regulars, college students and local Bohemians. Working professionals are well-dressed, stay for a short time and speak with business-like brevity. The male professionals exhibit alpha male behavior, while the females exude the successful career-woman persona. Male professionals and business managers often carry themselves in an assertive, dominant manner and speak on the phone. The career women can be noticed by the click-clack of high heels and their aura of sexy sophistication. Real estate agents are the politest and most professional, because they meet prospective home buyers. They keep their voices low, and so protect the privacy of their clients.

 A coffee shop’s local regulars are the staple of its social and economic life. Nearby residents enjoy walking to these places to visit neighbors. Friends of owners and baristas will visit these coffee shops to check in with lifelong friends. These individuals come often and befriend the regulars present in the coffee shop. This further enhances the community of that particular shop.

Local service-industry people come in for a pick-me-up before work. Servers and bartenders need a caffeine fix in order to deal with all the nasty, irritable people throughout their shift. They can relate to baristas, so they are often in the same social circles. These servers and bartenders will also come in on their days off, as they are very social creatures, and want to hang out.

Professional regulars commonly go to coffee shops to work on their computers, enjoy some coffee and break up their work with bits of conversation. These include traveling salespersons and freelance professionals, who make a living by trading, promoting and working online. Some of these individuals promote bands or buy and sell online with Bitcoin. Also, there are a few people who work at jobs nearby and shoot the shit with regulars of a coffee shop they've fallen in love with. These people are usually tradesmen or friendly local professionals, such as Graham, who renovates buildings in Bethlehem and Easton, or Haley, who works in an office nearby.

College students often populate coffee shops located in college towns or neighborhoods. They self-caffeinate when they're studying for exams or working on important papers with looming deadlines. For this purpose, Cosmic Cup in Easton is opened late for the Lafayette students during their exam week, in December and May. They come in with books, notebooks and laptops, typing away and listening to tunes on their headphones while accomplishing these tasks. Female students in yoga pants seek girl-talk in a pressure-free environment, largely free of male athletes and fraternity brothers.

Local Bohemians naturally feel at home in any coffee shop or cafe. They include artists, musicians, gadflies, local rebels and burned-out drifters. The musicians are quite common and popular. They are the members of local rock bands that perform at bars and private parties. Their groupies sometimes seek them out at nearby shops. The local rebels alluded to include adults over 30 who live life on their own terms, while pursuing a life of pleasure and hedonism. These days there are many such people - male and female.

Regular coffee shop patrons make great friends and acquaintances at local coffee shops. Each person has offers something socially, no matter what their background is. Everyone has their own life story, which is compelling, as long as it's brief! When you learn new things from other people, you become more intelligent and interesting. Also, your curiosity is piqued and you can read more about those topics. Hey, that's what Google is for! Cross-cultural understanding enriches the lives of everyone, making people well-rounded.

Many of my best friends are people I've met at the "third space" of coffee shops. Marybeth Large, from Cosmic Cup, is my closest and dearest friend. She was a friend from Notre Dame High School that I reconnected with on Facebook, after 12 years! Marybeth is a longtime barista at Cosmic Cup in Easton and is integral to the College Hill community. I always enjoy visiting the awesome baristas at The Wise Bean. I love spending time with the great baristas of The Wise Bean: the owners – Joan, Bill and Sam Young; Carla, Maggie and Sara. A lot of regular patrons come in to see these friendly, personal baristas in a fun, comfortable environment. 

Billy Mack is a great person with a huge number of friends and acquaintances. I first met Billy Mack in Bethlehem when he worked as a barista at the Joint. Now, he owns an awesome coffee shop in Allentown, aptly named the Coffee House Without Limits (CHWOL). I love the atmosphere and friendly vibe of the place. I also enjoy the "new frontier" of Lit created by Matt Hengeveld in South Bethlehem. As one of the Lehigh Valley’s newer coffee shops, Lit is chic, but well connected to Third Street's thriving shopping district.

 

When I meet someone new in a coffee shop, I try to add them on Facebook after connecting with them in person. Often, these individuals end up being some of my most loyal and supportive Facebook friends. They even sometimes end up reading my blog posts! Coffee and writing do go hand in hand!

Coffee shops are great places for meeting women. Single women do tend to go to such places. Men often want to show their masculinity by just “drinking up" in their favorite dive bars. For this reason, women outnumber men in coffee shops. People at coffee shops are sober and in control of their emotions, so they are often better for meeting someone than bars are. When you meet people in the light of day you connect with them on a deeper level that is less chemically-induced. Alcohol-fueled relationships rarely run very deep! However, caffeine is a mild drug that facilitates social interaction and warm, romantic feelings. Congress considered banning caffeine in 1914 as part of the Harrison Tax Act, which outlawed marijuana, cocaine and other substances.

Coffee shops are great spots for maintaining friendships and connecting on a deeper, more emotional level. Friends and lovers sit at tables discussing their major life events. They receive advice, offer emotional support, and become lifelong friends. Eventually, coffee shop friends plan future social outings and parties in other, new venues. These plans usually work out very well, because the emotional connections are already deep and meaningful to begin with.

Coffee shops are a very important part of my life. I enjoy people watching and want to establish meaningful and lasting social connections. I connect with others over coffee and great reads at the crossroads of the Lehigh Valley's cities. I hope to be able integrate my coffee shop habit with my other interests and endeavors, including blogging, Facebook and outdoor activities. I intend to enjoy my role in the local coffee shop scene for years to come!