Cast of characters in the coffee shop
Categories: Coffee Shops, Culture
Today is a particularly busy day in the office (Barnes & Noble, in other words), and I thought it would be entertaining to watch the cast of characters that wanders through.
The Man Who Crushed My World: A young professional spending 20 minutes between appointments sat down near me with a book called “Eat This Not That.” After listening to him read a few entries to his girlfriend, we started a discussion that breaks my heart. It’s one of those diet books that steers you toward the lesser of two evils. The “greater” of two evils in several entries ruined some of my favorite experiences in life: no more layered cheese fries with ranch dressing for dipping at Outback Steakhouse. Not for 1,500 calories!!!!
Barnes & Noble unaccountably only provided one outlet in the corner. The local insiders all vie for the table next to that outlet. If you miss it, you can stretch from one comfy chair, but not so well. Currently two couples are huddled around a laptop browsing real estate listings for the area. One of the gentlemen keeps picking up his cellphone every few minutes to call their agent to schedule showings. Northerners with sand in their shoes. Sharing their outlet and sitting uncomfortably close to the action is a nursing student trying to study on her laptop. Poor thing: she’s probably longing to go see the condo one block from the beach with two pools.
We are full of moms and kids today, as well. With school out this is a one-stop destination for lots of folk. Snack, coffee, books and entertainment in one location. I kind of like the new life and noise the kids bring, but I’m sure not everyone does!
Magazine stackers are everywhere, too. These are the people, usually women, who stack up every copy of every magazine they have an interest in and sit down to browse them all for free. I have a strong opinion on this, as you may be able to tell, but the B&N folk seem to take it in stride.
One of our pastor’s wives is across the room doing a personality/gifting assessment with another woman. I’m trying not to listen, but it’s kind of interesting!
Mr. Man Who Crushed My World left and offered me the book to browse through. No thanks, too sad already. His seat was taken by a man who knows everyone in the place. Apparently he is also doing some sort of research that looks architectural design in nature. The student nurse gave up, but the househunting is going so well. We’ve also been joined by the duffers…a cadre of older guys who show up here frequently to read magazines (again!) and shoot the breeze about their golf scores. Today they have a younger duffer with them. Beware, young man, you are looking at your future. There is also a really hip-looking dad here with his maybe 3 month old daughter. Gotta love parents who break their kids into the book addiction early!
My idyllic time of blogging and surfing has come to an end with a pair of loud-talkers. Yes, you know who they are. Every nuance of their conversation is being broadcast throughout the cafe. As I am packing up, I notice that another regular - a graphic designer who wants to be a photographer - has claimed the outlet when the househunters went off to hunt. He smiles at me as I leave him to the loud talkers. Just another day in the office.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
hi. it’s tam from jenni’s post
ok. so i’ve been thinking about spending time at one our coffee shops in town to get away and write. so many people i know tell me it works for them. then i read this, so amusing and fun, and i think…”yup, this is what i would probably write about on every visit”. i wouldn’t get anything productive done.
so. how do you do it?
June 21st, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Believe it or not, this is the first time I’ve actually done one of the “cast of character” posts, but I think these thoughts every time I’m there! I also want to do one some day of just the different people who come in and sit in one seat, one after another. I was watching this one seat in Portland Oregon, and it was so interesting to see the variety of people in that one comfy chair.
As for how I do it, I have learned to know myself. If I am in distraction mode, I go to the most boring coffee shop that only has two chairs. I get a lot of work done, there. But I get inspired by being around books in the Barnes and Noble, so if I need ideas I head there. If I’m mad that I have to get work done (rare) I go somewhere I actually know I’ll be interrupted sooner or later. The interruption is kind of like my reward. So maybe the secret is having a variety of spots.
But to be honest, if I’m “out there” it’s because I feel like connecting or viewing my world differently. I love the serendipity of never knowing who or what comes next. Except for the Arbonne salesgirl who sat next to me last week. Not so much.
Thanks for stopping by, Tam! I love your blog - been there lots.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Hi Marla!
Okay, I finally checked out your website and absolutely think that you are a fantastic writer! Very funny too!
Do you know why I am commenting on this particular day !?! Hee!
It was great seeing you!
Blessings!
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Ha! Yes, I definitely know why you are commenting on this particular day! And might i add that as i typed the line about you sitting there, I thought “This is like fishing for a comment…I hope she doesn’t care!”