The Unique Ritual of Coffee in Italy and Around the World
Whoever visits or has visited Italy often finds the simple task of having a coffee to be a unique and amusing experience. Have you ever wondered why? In Italy, people typically go to a bar, order a coffee, drink it while having a brief conversation with the barista about their day or other topics, and leave! The entire process lasts two minutes or less.
In contrast, in many other countries around the world, having a coffee often serves as an excuse to relax and spend about an hour catching up with friends, updating each other on life events, laughing, chatting, or simply enjoying time together.
In Norway, I have noticed that most people opt for take-away coffee. This is primarily because they are often in a hurry and, during the winter, need to warm their hands due to the cold temperatures.
Another interesting observation is the size of coffee cups: in Italy, they are quite small, whereas in Norway, they are much larger. Waiters even ask if you want a single or double coffee! This difference might be because the coffee in Norway is not as strong as it is in Italy.
Did you know that in the 18th century, coffee bars became popular meeting points for writers in Italy? They would gather there to discuss poems, exchange ideas, and more. Drinking coffee helped them stay awake and provided the energy needed for writing. These morning rituals that Italian people partake in today have their roots in this historical period.
Why is it that in Italy, such activities go by so quickly while in other parts of the world, the pace seems much slower? It’s a curious difference in cultural practices, isn’t it?
Espresso coffee
Social coffee
Take-away coffee
Do you drink coffee and for what?
Gregorace Translations 