On coffee shops
===============

January 15, 2025

I started working remotely at 2018 and it was lonely to stay at home all the
time. At some point coffee shops become an option as a workplace for me. I
enjoyed the atmosphere there, people sitting around me, chatting, reading,
working as well. It was a silent socialization, feeling a part of the tribe I
guess, that helped me to feel the productive vibe.

A bit later, next year or so, I started reading fiction in English. I wanted to
dive deeply into the English language, to explore via prose. It grew into a
serious habit I still have, 6 years later. I read about a few hours every day
now. 

What's interesting is that my reading was mostly done in coffee shops as well,
despite the noise of the crowd. Again, I was feeling comfortable and warm to
sit by myself near people around, focusing on my book, listening to music,
thinking.

It became an important thing to me, after moving to a new place, finding a new
coffee shop which will pass the vibe check. Since it's a place which I will
visit almost every day, interact with baristas on a regular basis, noticing and
remembering regulars in face, becoming a regular myself. Each place got its own
mood, culture, audience.

At some point the mental hygiene came into and I've started separating the
places. One coffee shop just for reading and taking a rest, listening to music,
and so on. Another coffee shop, with standing desks, just for work.

What's funny is that I'm not a coffee geek or passionate about it after all. Of
course I got used to good coffee since a lot of places serve specialty coffee
nowadays, with a variety of different beans, roast degrees, brewing options.
I still mostly care about the space, interior, design decisions, and values
(but writing this I realized that if the coffee is not tasty I just won't
visit again).

I find it curious how coffee shops become a daily routine for me. In the same
way, it seems, bars/pubs become for some people. It's more than just a factory
for remote workers, more than just a shop, a place to drink bewerages or meet
friends. Lifestyle attribute it seems.