My observed reality to date is somewhat different - and granted we have only come as far as Holland, for this topic there is much more to see. So far we have sampled adequate coffee at best - unless Illy is served, which is never disappointing - and on the whole, exasperatingly poor service, where being ignored for a full 20 minutes is common, often by attractive young wait staff in an alfresco venue flavored by continuous exhaust of cigarette-smoking continental peoples, not to mention the monoxide spewing Vespas and diesel powered Golfs. Public conversation, often conducted solo via the ubiquitous mobile phone, is as seemingly mundane as at home. Not that we should be surprised by that, Europeans are people after all. 

I went through the five stages of café service grief. At first I was in complete denial - "The service isn't that bad, maybe they're just short staffed today?" Then came anger - "How dare she ignore us! Did you see that? She just looked away when I caught her eye! I will eviscerate her with my scathingly small tip, if we ever get served!" Then came depression - "We'll never get served, this caffeine-withdrawal headache will be the death of me. Bury my lifeless corpse at Starbucks." At last there was acceptance - "It is just the way things are here. Can't rush what you can't control. It is a natural cycle; wait, watch, drink." And finally came resolution - "It is a better quality of life really. Those Americans, always in a hurry, rush, rush, rush; and por qua? They rush to their own graves without enjoying life. Fools."

In the end, as any Wall Street analyst can tell you, it is all about expectations. I no longer expect to pop into a café for a quick espresso before heading out for the day (it turns out I can do that successfully at most bars here). If I sit down at a café table I expect to sit, and for no one to rush me to order, or to move, or to leave, or to think. I expect to relax and read and watch. I hope that the coffee will be good, but if it is not, no matter. There will be another café later. Fools.

- rob

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