“See ya at da coffee shop...”

It’s not just coffee. It is conversations, connections and more! Baristas,
Costas and Café Coffee Days are considered no less than Orkut or
Facebook—only with a better face value. Ankita Khare sips
numerous cups of coffee watching the drama unfold within the cafes.

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 New Delhi, have created a special niche for themselves. There is no doubt that these coffee joints create an ambience which is more addictive than the caffeine itself.
“The hip-hop music, an economical menu and a ‘classy’ feel acts 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 continue to get more intimate with every passing moment. It is a perfect place for social interactions,” says Parth Goswami, a Delhi University final year law student and a self confessed Barista-addict.

The hip-hop music, an economical menu and a ‘classy’ feel acts like opium for people of all genres

It all started with the economic boom in the nineties. One indicator of change was the sudden mushrooming of Baristas and Café Coffee Days, not only in the metros, but also in small towns. It was refreshing for the young who till then frequented local chai shops and dhabas.
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 different. The crowd was mainly dominated by old people. Students hardly approached these places...Baristas and Café Coffee Days are a welcome change from that scenario.”
Almost everything within is adorable. Loud music. Semi-formal interiors. Decorated coffee froth. Acoustic guitar. Air conditioned Wi-Fi environment. And most importantly, 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 have 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, despite 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.”

ankitakhare21@gmail.com