Coffee shops cause divorce

[jonny jeez]

i spend a bit of time in coffee shops, between meetings and the like.

This week I have listened to (for that read, could not escape) three really frank and personal conversations between couples who are clearly in the late stages of very acrimonious separation .

One going on right now in the seat next to me....and it sounds awful for the person talking, their estranged other other half sounds like a total nut job.

Two things strike me;

First, it's amazing what people are prepared, or perhaps forced, to discuss in public in very loud voices...to the point that right now I am looking around for the hidden camera.

Second, this must be empirical proof that coffee shops are responsible for separation.

 

[Markymark]

When in coffee shops if there's some odd looking weirdo on their own, me and my friends like to make up stories and talk loudly to help fill their empty lives. Often it's pretending I'm getting divorced.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

When in coffee shops if there's some odd looking weirdo on their own, me and my friends like to make up stories and talk loudly to help fill their empty lives. Often it's pretending I'm getting divorced.

I can believe that except the bit about you having friends.

 

[Crackle]

I can believe that except the bit about you having friends.

They could be imaginary.

 

[EltonFrog]

I was sitting in a Starbucks in Ealing a few weeks ago trying to enjoy my Earl Grey and toasted Tea Cake when two women, who were of different nationalities, English not being the first language of either of them were arguing in English with the server about whom should be served first. Woman A it seemed had been slighted in some way by both the server and Woman B. The conversation deteriorated into accusations of racism by Woman A to the Server and Woman B. The tone was passive aggressive, eventually woman B showed Woman A the palm of her hand and walked away. The Server was trying to placate both women. Meanwhile the queue of customers got longer and there was some tutting, puffing and shuffling of feet by the folks waiting.

I'm quietly distracted by this activity and the noise, trying to look at the internet and doing my own share of giving these two tiresome woman my very best hard cold Paddington Bear stare. The argument died down but woman A was getting agitated whilst she was waiting for her order. Woman B had meanwhile found a seat with someone who was a friend or brother, he was clearly embarrassed by the whole affair but did not intervene. Another customer tried to talk to Woman A but was ignored.

Woman A after finally receiving her order went to the table and started up again with Woman B, the tone getting more agitated and louder Woman B trying to ignore Woman A.

Finally I had enough. In a very loud but not shouty voice I said. " Would you two mind being quiet, you're not the only ones in here you know, I'm trying enjoy my drink, why don't you both go away for goodness sake". Woman A walked out with hump, giving me a "look" that would kill. One of the other customers came past me and gave me a wink and said "nice one".

I was expecting some flack from Woman B and her bloke, but nothing happened.

Such silly aggravation because someone got served before someone else.

 

[vernon]

Simple solution - go to coffee shops in Amsterdam. Their clients are too chilled to speak nevermind argue.

 

[Profpointy]

Simple solution - go to coffee shops in Amsterdam. Their clients are too chilled to speak nevermind argue.

had a long weekend in Amsterdam a couple of years back - opera; how posh is that? Anyhow it was a bit strange have to peer into coffee shops in order to work out if they were coffee shops not "coffee shops". In some cases it was quite hard to be sure in some of the more arty parts of town.

 

[Markymark]

had a long weekend in Amsterdam a couple of years back - opera; how posh is that? Anyhow it was a bit strange have to peer into coffee shops in order to work out if they were coffee shops not "coffee shops". In some cases it was quite hard to be sure in some of the more arty parts of town.

I'm sure they all served coffee though.

 

[Profpointy]

I'm sure they all served coffee though.

I didn't mind a place where the odd customer was enjoying a spliff, but less keen on a drugs den full of a stoned stag party

 

[vernon]

I didn't mind a place where the odd customer was enjoying a spliff, but less keen on a drugs den full of a stoned stag party

What about a place with no odd customers?

 

[Markymark]

I didn't mind a place where the odd customer was enjoying a spliff, but less keen on a drugs den full of a stoned stag party

Rather that than a den full of drunk stag party but each to their own.

 

[Tin Pot]

Two things strike me;

First, it's amazing what people are prepared, or perhaps forced, to discuss in public in very loud voices...to the point that right now I am looking around for the hidden camera.

Second, this must be empirical proof that coffee shops are responsible for separation.

Thirdly, coffee shops great places for picking up divorcees?

 

[swansonj]

What about a place with no odd customers?

Self fulfilling - being the only single person in a venue full of couples is enough to make anyone turn to drugs...

 

[swansonj]

[QUOTE 3922873, member: 45"]I'm currently on Costa, surrounded by post-birth mothers and their babies.

Nowt interesting being talked about in here.[/QUOTE]
D'you know, I've a hunch most mothers are post-birth.

 

[Glow worm]

had a long weekend in Amsterdam a couple of years back - opera; how posh is that?

I remember walking past the opera house in Amsterdam a few years ago (I'm not as posh as you as I didn't go in!) just as people were arriving. There were lots of couples turning up in full evening dress on bicycles (plenty of backies going on). I remember thinking, this is one classy country!