I sat today, looking over my caramel mochaccino, with cream, at my fellow customers. I smile at the manner that coffee shops seem to have taken the place of the steamie or the pub. They seem to have taken a place in our society where people feel safe and can connect. There is a variety of people here. The business man in the corner discussing his latest deal over a cappuccino with another suited individual. Two twenty somethings discussing the latest chapter in their relationships over a skinny latte. The clients seem to be in a world of their own a world that seems safe and in which they can reach out to others to connect to communicate.

What can we learn from these houses, why are they so sucessful in making us feel comfortable? There is a whole lot of marketing that goes into making the shops feel cozy. The seating the colours the low lighting the combination of soft chairs and tables. All of these help us to feel relaxed, rather like we were visiting a friends house. We usually visit with friends or family or people whom we trust. It is one of the few areas in modern life where people chat, because there is no TV or other distractions going in the background. All of these things come together an we are comfortable talking and as the tables are isolated because of layout we feel we are in a world with our companion.

So if we feel we need to talk or need to support someone, perhaps the lesson is choose somewhere that you feel safe and comfortable. Try to find a place with no distractions, really listen and speak from the heart. I am not sure of coffee has to be part of the mix, but it can’t hurt