I think the problem with articles like this is the insensitivity to others. The phrase "A porcelain cup makes ..." is a declaration for all of humanity. The reality is "A porcelain cup, for me, makes ...". Qualifying the experience as possibly someone only experienced by the teller makes the story more relatable, as opposed to a value judgment.
The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
271–280 of 456 posts
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#272I didn’t quite understand why sitting alone in a café makes you a weirdo (is it an American thing?), but the piece was very well written. We all should learn how to be without electronics for every now and then, accompanied only our thoughts. It is good for the soul. I think the important part is leaving your phone and other devices home. Be alone, without even a possibility of connecting (apart from the old-fashione…
> I think the important part is leaving your phone and other devices home. The annoying part is that this becomes increasingly difficult to impossible. For example, I can't use public transport without my phone anymore, because my ticket is bound to my phone and the provider does not issue paper tickets or smartcards anymore. Less severe but equally frustrating, many restaurants choose to use QR codes for menus rathe…
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Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#273I think the problem with articles like this is the insensitivity to others. The phrase "A porcelain cup makes ..." is a declaration for all of humanity. The reality is "A porcelain cup, for me, makes ...". Qualifying the experience as possibly someone only experienced by the teller makes the story more relatable, as opposed to a value judgment.
I think the "for me" part is implied with pieces like these.
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#274Done that many times only never thought of writing a nice piece like this.
Certainly not with pen and paper. Lol that skill gone these days can't write a sentence I can read later.
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#275Agree on the paper cup burning the tongue. Hate that too. But then coffee gets cold within minutes in porcelain cup.
Solution: I bring along a flask and use the paper cup as a cup and flask as cache. Means I lose the discount offered on byo but doesn't matter.
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#276Japan is not the ideal place I would go to for a cafe, but I get the sentiment. When the weather is nice I love going for a morning walk with my dog on a lazy weekend morning and just sitting outside at a cafe reading a book. Coffee itself is secondary to this experience, it’s mostly just the vibe of the place that brings me there. That’s why small local cafes that don’t like people to sit at tables for too long are…
Never tried that in my Japan trips as life is too rushed. But have seen old Japanese cafe in Singapore where jap patrons sit for hours reading manga sipping coffee. I'm sure the culture is there in Japan too..
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#277Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can think that, and not post snarky comments. Just go read something else, for instance. In fact, that's the policy here.
Shouldn't you have just flagged it, then? > Don't feed egregious comments by replying; flag them instead. Not OP, just wondering if the unwritten conventions changed since I was here the last time.
Yes, sorry.
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#278Alpha types might appreciate sitting alone in a café more if they realize that it is the ultimate power flex. I remember a quote from many years ago: standing on a street corner, waiting for no one, is power. I appreciate that much more in retirement.
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#279Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#280Earlier quoted context omitted.
It can be at first until you get used to it. You can observe your surroundings, make up stories about what is happening. Ask yourself questions. Listen to yourself. This is a bit like excercise. When you first start, 30 minutes of exercise can be torture as your is out of shape and not used to the effort. Keep doing it and it feels better and you feel better. Work on becoming a source of thoughts rather than a consum…
I end up being consumed by depressive thoughts and lots of body scanning. I hate it.
Maybe your exercise can be to direct your thoughts elsewhere. Start with 5 minutes instead of 30 and actively try to think about something else when your thoughts become too negative. I can't guarantee it will help you but it's a sort of meditation that's worked for me when I felt like my brain wouldn't turn off.