I never thought I would say this before the age of 40, but here it goes: I like coffee.
Okay, maybe lattes aren't a manly man's coffee, but it's still quite a step for me. I once vowed at the ripe age of six to never drink coffee again after trying a sip of my dad's piping hot cup of Folger's and spitting it out all over him (who can blame me though; it was Folger's). As a kid and a teenager, I always thought coffee was a drink meant for coffee dad or for men and women over the age of 40 who wanted something to sip on in the morning while discussing world problems and local gossip. I never thought it was actually something my friends or I would ever like. It was brown and bitter, like liquid earwax.
Oh, how wrong I was.
From the mountains in Peru to the streets of Seattle, coffee is everywhere. It's an import and an export, and it's a kickstart to many individuals' day worldwide. There are even worldwide coffee competitions now known as battles of the baristas to find out who pours the best lattes. From the retired 'regulars' meeting at the local diner at 5 a.m. to shoot the breeze, to the college student studying for a final exam at 5 p.m., there's no doubt that it really is 5 o'clock somewhere when it comes to coffee.
Coffee isn't just a drink for 'old people;' Coffee is a culture, and here's why:
1) Coffee stokes energy
It's 8 a.m., and you're on your way to work, but you can't seem to keep your eyes open. What do you do? Coffee. It's 11 p.m. and you have a paper due at 12 a.m., and you're only halfway done. What do you do? Coffee. It's -10 degrees outside, there's a tornado on its way and you're out of toilet paper. What do you do? Coffee. It gets you where you need to be. It gives you the energy you need to get there, and it helps give you that caffeine fix in a way that isn't quite as unhealthy as a soda. Moderate intakes of coffee can definitely help improve your morning mood, energy and memory levels. Try it. Just don't get addicted to it or anything.
2) Coffee builds community
Have you ever seen a group of men or women sitting around a table with cups of fresh, steaming coffee in front of them? You'd have thought time didn't exist. They could sit there and talk forever about nothing but make it seem like everything. People meet day in a day out just to sit and share life over a cup of ground up beans mixed with hot water - that's fascinating, and I don't understand it, especially since many of these meetings occur before 7 a.m. There's just something about coffee that builds relationships and friendships and that brings life to a community.
3) Coffee means coffee shops
Coffee shops are awesome, and I mean that in the least hipster way possible. There is just something about the atmosphere. The sounds, the smells, the subtle music in the background and the warmth felt from the place and the people just bring a certain vibe that are unique to coffee shops. They are places that coax creativity and relax restlessness. They are folks' home away from home and work, and they provide that un-awkward place to meet people for the first time, whether it's on a first date or for a business meeting. Coffee shops are that 'safe' third place that people feel like they can meet at in neutrality to talk, work or find relationship. The coffee shop has become this 21st century version of the well in the New Testament where people from all over a community can meet, greet and hangout. You can get to know the workers, and the workers can get to know you, and there's just something special about people getting to know each other.
Yes, I once was a coffee hater, but now I think I'll go get some later. It's 3 a.m. here, so I'll definitely be needing it in the morning. Here's my challenge for the week: go share a cup of coffee with someone, anyone. Go on a date, meet a friend or call me up if you can't find anyone else. I would love to join you.
-Cliff
Cliff's Note: Coffee isn't just for 'old people;' it's for community.