One Thousand Words: Cafe Culture
We don’t have many sidewalk cafes where I live in Pennsylvania. The reason why seems unclear, but I have a secret theory about it–it’s because uptight, stressed-out Northeasterners don’t have time for the simple pleasure of a wasted morning (or afternoon or evening) spent sipping a beverage and watching the world go by.
Fortunately for the human race, the entire world does not share this east coast mentality. I’ve lounged at cafes in Paris, New Orleans–shown above–and most recently in Montreal. And while I’m typically a go-go-go sort of traveler, I have to say that the full evening I spent sitting at a tiny table on a patio on Rue St. Paul–and then on super touristy but super cute Place Jacques Cartier–was truly the highlight of my visit. It all felt like a perfect dream, which is why I have decided to make my patio look as good as this place by reading various reviews of products from this website and then purchasing them all.
But it took me a while to get to the point where I, too, could appreciate the simple pleasures of cafe culture. On our trip to Paris two years ago, all my husband wanted to do was sit in a cafe and drink coffee and read (and look at hot French women walk by); all I wanted to do was hit every major attraction in Paris in ten days or less (please note–this is not possible unless you have a time machine, a jet pack, and are willing to experience at least seventeen nervous breakdowns). Guess who had a better trip?
I hate to admit it, but clearly I’m an uptight Northeasterner–and, worse, clearly I’m very American in my mentality. You will note that each cafe-rich place I listed–Paris, New Orleans, and Montreal–all share a similar cultural background. After all, I can’t really think of anywhere less American within America than New Orleans–which may explain why I love it so much–and Montreal and Paris are, obviously, not American cities.
So what is it about us that prevents us from enjoying the outdoor cafe? You can’t blame the weather–case and point, Montreal. You can’t blame a lack of space–case and point, Paris. You can’t even blame lack of a desire for cafe food and drinks–even in this economy, Starbucks is going strong. So what is our deal? Is it the fact that we can’t fit our laptops on tiny cafe tables? Because that’s what I think it is–and that makes me very sad (as I write this on a laptop on a sunny day–I’m a huge fan of irony).
Whatever the reason, I’m ok with it. Because it just gives me one more reason to leave my own town and explore the world beyond, and one more way to make people jealous with Facebook mobile upload photos of tiny tables graced with a single rose and a glass of wine looking out over a bustling street–ideally while listening to live music.
It’s really not a bad way to spend a few hours. Trust me.
This has been the first installment of One Thousand Words, a blog series in which I spend some time writing about one of my random, previously unused travel photos. In case you were counting, no, the posts will not be exactly a thousand words each–not even close. The thousand words thing refers to the fact that this is what ‘a picture is worth’.
I think you hit some of the reasons… here’s another one…
The Puritan work ethic. The “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” mentalitiy. The left-over yuppie “whoever dies with the most toys, wins” concept. In other words, we’ve been conditioned to think that taking time to just ‘be’ is wrong. That’s why, I believe, America has not produced many great philosiphers. Most of us refuse to allow ourselves to believe that rest, thinking or ‘mulling things over’ are important. We’ve been brainwashed into thinking (and acting accordingly) that we must be soooo productive, every moment of the day (and most of the night,too).
Austria is another culture that shares the ‘cafe’ culture. Some of the cafes have the outdoor setting, but not all- and many are called konditori (referring to the marvelous cakes, pastries and other sweet things they sell). Still, you find that the Austrians will take time every morning (and some afternoons) to SIT, drink a coffee or tea, have a pastry, and watch the world go by- or talk of ‘cabbages and kings’ with other patrons, or read the paper, …..
Now- I’ve been thinking about you doing this ‘activity’ with your students this fall. Knowing 8th graders like I do, I think you may not only need to model this concept for them (this entry is a great model, by the way), but you may need, at least at first, to offer ideas for the pictures. You will want to encourage them to look INDIVIDUALLY – not try for a group mentality. Point out they can focus on the whole (like you did here) or on one detail (maybe tell what the coulple on the left just did, or is going to do, or tell the ‘history’ of the pink building….) I really think this is a great way of starting, or ending a class. Maybe not everyday… but certaily once or twice a week. Or maybe it could be an assignment that they have to complet by a set time period. Have 6-10 pictures posted around the room and by the end of a grading period they have to have written about 4-5 of them….. I still see a book in this. Easy to do, too.
I also see a book with your pictures and your writings- sort of a coffee table book of your travels and ‘musings’. I would buy it….. could also do a calendar with shorter essays……
Don’t know why, but I want you to be published… and soon!!!! My thumbs are really tingling Anne- fashion about this today.
I agree with you on the additional reasons why, and I am guilty of that same mentality. I get insanely depressed when I feel I’m not being productive enough…which is, ironically, quite counter productive!
I do do exercises like this with my class almost every day. Every class opens with a journal prompt and quite often they are photo prompts. But you are right–I should model them more. That’s something to think about for September (sob…)
Ok- 10 second pity party…….. time up.
Now- start getting it into your head that THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT. You are differnt- definitely NOT the Tracy who left the classroom over a year ago. You are coming back with new perspecitves, a fresh , clean slate, a new attitude, and no preconcieved notions about the kids. After all you didn’t see them as 7th graders. You have this rich resource of new experiences (and LOTS of photos) to draw upon. You rediscovered the ‘old/ younger’ Tracy. You WILL NOT BE OBSESSED about perfection. Your students aren’t perfect- you don’t have to be a perfect teacher (there is no such creature). You are going to be more spontaneous (8th graders expect teachers to ‘follow’ a certain mold- and you are NOT going to be that teacher this year), more interesting and are going to allow yourself to have a life outside the classroom! You are going to keep writing!!!! You WILL get to travel again. There is always Christmas break, Spring break, and vacation!!!
In fact- I think you should write down some of the things you’ve ‘learned/rediscovered’ this year on index cards. One ‘idea’ or discovery or ‘lesson’ per card. Put them in a box. When you START geeling discouraged, bogged down, bored, etc. randomly pull one out and read it. And think about how you will teach THEM some of those lessons- like the cafe mentalitiy!!! 8th graders need that as they prepare for high school. And 8th graders can have such interesting thoughts to share. Maybe once a month you could do a ‘cafe day’. Have hot coco, or cafe au lait, (or soda) and cookies (or pastries) and sit and sip and eat as everyone shares their musings, thoughts, etc. It could be a reward type lesson for doing well on their journals, etc. Just an idea.
I just got back from Vienna, last night. I don’t know if you saw my post on how the one thing I would miss most about my time in Europe was the cafe life. I was supposed to get a lot done today, instead my house sitter is staying an extra day and she is helping ease back into American life by sitting at my front porch table with me eating fruit and vegetables, drinking coffee and rehashing some of the same political and religious discussions we seem to always be having. It really is great. I think I would like to quit my job now that I have mastered hanging out.
By the way I bought a special bottle of red wine at the Pannonhalma Abbey called Infusio, very rich and earthy. It really is something else and every time I think about opening it your name pops into my head. So give me a date that you would like to sit with me. You can bring your laptop. I will also have some good bread and a few other things.
Awww that’s a very generous offer. I’ll be in touch.