The Draw of the Coffee Shop
Why do people love coffee shops? If you’re like me you walk past several each day. You see the people inside and feel a little jealous. If you’re really like me you’ll remember there’s free coffee at home or at work and keep on walking. But every once in a while, or maybe every day, you’ll go inside and indulge.
Everybody knows about the huge success of Starbucks and there are hundreds of other chains all making money out of the same concept. If you’re lucky you’ll even find a friendly independent place nearby.
But what is it about coffee shops that has us hooked? There are of course many reasons why coffee shops are popular: good coffee, a place to meet friends, a place to watch the world go by, somewhere to relax and read.
But there’s one reason I’ve noticed in myself and suspect of others: it feels good. The coffee shops are selling a lifestyle, a cafe culture. I find it hard to define, but it’s an intangible sense of well-being, a warmness blended with a sense that you’re an important person who deserves this little indulgence in your busy life.
Do we want other people to see us and think we’re cool, important or successful? I rather suspect that in some cases we do. Where’s my evidence? All I have is that I’ve felt all of those things in connection with coffee shops.
It’s extremely clever marketing. It’s effectively giving people a way to spend money to feel good about themselves and even to pose. That’s not a concept unique to coffee shops, but I find they execute it particularly well.
The question here is: does any of this matter? Well, the so-called ‘latte factor’ can be hazardous to your wealth. Excessive caffeine can be hazardous to your health. But those are extremes. In general it’s an easy and not too expensive way to feel good.
Maybe you’ll ponder just what it is that draws you in next you’re quietly sipping something at the coffee shop.
photo credit: Dave Austria
Are productivity systems for everyone?
Is it only certain types of people who benefit from the productivity systems such as Getting Things Done (GTD) that people like me know and love? Or is it that while everyone can enjoy the benefit, but not everyone can see that benefit?
I ask this because the response I get when I talk about or somehow demonstrate my productivity system varies from person to person. Some are fascinated and want to know more. Many are nonplussed. Others make fun.
Does this reflect different people’s ways of working? Or their attitudes to anything even seen as approaching self-help? Does the fact that there are so many productivity blogs and so much chatter about the issue online reflect the types of people that use the internet?
Are the mockers genuinely amused or are they threatened by the idea that they are doing something ‘wrong’?
I guess this goes to the roots of why some people like some things and others prefer other things. My hunch is that systems like GTD appeal to people who like order and being in control. So while disorganised people might wish they were less so, do they lack a crucial je ne sais quoi that would allow them to become more effective?
If the mighty GTD can only touch those who have the right attitude and outlook to accept it, what happens to the rest? Can they be turned toward the light (sounds like I’m trying to convert people, yikes). Or do the productivity systems need to adapt to reach this new audience. If the latter, how?
If I were cleverer I’d have a smart suggestion or four to throw down at this point. But I’m not, so I haven’t. Can you do better? Then don’t dally, drop your thoughts in the comments.
photo credit: Bill Ruhsam
