The Lure of the coffee shop

I am sitting in a trendy coffee shop on Balaclava Road in East St. Kilda at around lunch time. It is the last week of the school holidays and there is an eclectic group of people in and around.  I never thought I would say this, but the school kids definitely bring down the tone of the place.

Well positioned to watch the passing traffic as well as what’s going on in the coffee shop.  I am sitting at a long table that means it is not exclusive. A couple sit at the same table carrying on a conversation.  Old friends, catching up. She is obviously flirting; he is successfully avoiding her advances while trying to subtly to say no.

My mistake. They were no school children, but Israeli’s on holiday after the army; quiet but dour looking young men. I hope my son is a little more exuberant when he comes to visit. It is a visit I am looking forward to, but with some trepidation. I have not achieved much and what I have achieved, I’ve lost. Still a truism of parent/child relationships is that, it doesn’t matter what age you tend to fall back into the roles. Thankfully we have always had a very good relationship (I think).

I’m glad I took a seat by the window, because there is a lot more action going on out there. A couple of ladies further down the cafe speaking at full volume had been drowning out the music. I hope they start talking again soon.  Hey there goes a Rabbi I know.

 I popped out to speak to him and scored myself a lunch invitation, which brings me to the downside of this very pleasant way to pass an afternoon, the cost. Cafe owners have a vested interest in having computer users sit in their cafes. Firstly they are paying customers; albeit usually minimum payers, but they also give the impression that the place is full.

The woman who was trying to pick up the guy is now sitting next to me on her computer. Across the aisle another woman is working/playing on hers. There is a woman next to her who seems to feel left out so she splits her time between playing on her I-phone and leaning back to read the computer screen of her neighbour as she busily types.  How nosy and rude.

I guess it’s hard to come into a coffee shop by yourself without an “aide” to make it look like you have something to do. Still it’s strange that this woman has no shame. Of course little is she to know that I have been watching her.  

Does this mean I have no shame? Surely not!. I am an observer of human behaviour, a writer, an artist. Anyhow, that’s my excuse.

So why would this woman come an sit in a coffee shop by herself, what is the lure of the coffee shop? Of course, it’s a great place to meet people, but it is especially great for people watching. A sort of social zoo if you will; where you can watch people grazing and going through several phases of the mating ritual.

Fascinating stuff, however my big tip is find a place where you enjoy the coffee and they are not too pushy about getting you to order.