Have a Cup of Coffee and Watch Life Unfold - Cafes

Cafés find their roots in France. Street-side establishments offering coffee in addition to pastries and a select menu of made-to-order meals, cafés are often great places to lounge and simply watch life unfold. French and cafés found in other countries differ in some respects from American versions of the same, but each offers a unique experience that is not to be missed.

World Cafés

Culturally, French cafés are the key place for social interaction. In France, cafés offer a full selection of food and beverages, including alcohol. Writers, poets, and city slickers alike can sit and work or just chat and enjoy the day. British cafés offer a similarly full menu, but do not serve alcohol. In the Netherlands, the term café means something completely different. Cafés in the Netherlands are establishments that sell liquor only, as opposed to Dutch coffeehouses which sell soft drugs such as cannabis and hashish, but are prohibited from selling alcohol. Incidentally, little coffee is sold there.

American Cafés

American cafés i.e., coffee shops, are the names given to many types of establishments which offer casual dining, featuring coffee, pastries, and a light menu. American cafés often serve as a showcase for local talent, many offering live entertainment courtesy of local artisans. While some cafés operate with a particular theme, many have simply chosen to integrate themselves into the culture of the town of which they are a part.

A Tranquil Meeting Place

Cafés enjoy a unique position in society. They serve as tranquil meeting places, not only for the elite crowd, but for people from all walks of life. More recently, cafés have become quite popular with more youthful crowds. They have found their niche among college crowds, and even teens. Hence, many cafés have expanded their offerings to include internet surfing, allowing folks to stop in and log on for little or no fees.

Cafés have a rich history stemming from Europe, but have made their mark on countries all over the world. If you go, you needn’t worry about being limited to just coffee and donuts. Cafés provide a wonderful atmosphere for escape and rejuvenation, for anyone who drops in.