Historically, coffee houses were places where people talked. They were vibrant hubs of discussion, debate, and intellectual exchange. This was a good thing. Artists, philosophers, students and businesspeople exchanged opinions and self organized into idea creation machines. And why was that? Simply because caffeine is a stimulant with just the right intensity; it sharpens the mind and encourages lively discussion.
At Starbucks in Japan you see a lot of people engaging with the World through their smartphones and laptops. You see others in animated conversations with friends or family. But how often do you see people talking to strangers?
In February 2025, I was traveling with my son in Southern India. We decided to try an Indian Coffee Shop called Cafe Coffee Days. They have a concise menu of coffee and espresso drinks, and we were very happy with the coffees we ordered. At the next table, there was a family of Omanis: a father and 2 sons, about the same age as me and my son. We made eye contact and fell into conversation. Over an hour of coffee-sipping, we chatted about all kinds of things: India, travel, health, economics, culture and politics. It was a good experience.
I’m a pretty shy Canadian. I’m comfortable living here with Japan’s culture of keeping to one’s self. But on the odd occasion when I have chatted with strangers, I have felt happy. If I were to open a cafe, I would hope to encourage conversation between strangers.
As it is, coffee has been a regular part of my adult English classes since I started roasting about 25 years ago.