“C u at da coffee shop"

It's not just coffee. It's conversations, connections and more...

-Ankita Khare
Just as every man has his hobbyhorse; coffee has its own fans. It enjoys a long history and rich culture. Complimenting this heritage, the modern coffee corners in Delhi, like many others around the world, have created a special niche for themselves. There is no doubt that these coffee joints have created an atmosphere which is more addictive than the caffeine itself.

“The hip-hop music, an economical menu and a ‘classy’ ambience act like opium for people of all genres. It is amazing to watch an old staunch man reading his newspaper while the couple sitting next to him continues to get intimate with every passing moment. It is a perfect place for social interaction,” says Parth Goswami, a Delhi University final year law student and Barista-addict.

It all started in the nineties with the boom in the Indian economy taking off. One symbol of change was the sudden mushrooming of Baristas and Café Coffee Days not only in metros, but also in small towns. It was a refreshing change for the young who till then frequented the typical coffee houses.

Confirms K S Rao, a middle-aged real-estate agent and a casual Barista visitor: “Some two decades ago, there were hardly any coffee shops in the city. I can only recall Indian Coffee House at Connaught Place. The environment there was extremely informal. The crowd was mainly dominated by old people while students hardly approached these places...Baristas and Café Coffee Days are a welcome change to this scenario.”

Almost everything within is adorable. Loud music. Semi-formal interiors. Decorated coffee froth. Someone playing the guitar. Air conditioned wi-fi environment. An affordable menu.

Yet, there are some who want a change.
“The arrangement is not very comfortable. The music is too loud. It is better in America. They have more options there. We have a lot of catching up to do in India,” suggests Harsha Misra, an America-returned business executive.

Some even blame these new social networking places for “westernizing our good old Indian Culture,” says 50-year-old home-maker Aditi Asthana, “The youth has suddenly discovered a new meaning of being in love—it is all about hanging out at a coffee shop, blowing their parents money and getting cozy. Youngsters are turning into nocturnal animals, courtesy these 24X7 coffee bars.”

However, even after all the criticism, the city’s coffee culture continues to gather steam. And when it comes to social networking, Baristas, Costas and Café Coffee Days are considered no less than Orkut or Facebook--only with a better face value.

So as people continue to discover new meanings of networking at these bars, even a coffee hater is compelled to tell his buddies… “see ya at the coffee shop.”