I am not a coffee drinker. Never have been. But Stockholm is a coffee drinking town. In fact, Sweden is one of the largest coffee-consuming countries in the world. Coffee is such a big deal here that there is even a special word for having a cup of coffee: fika.
Fika means much more than just stopping to have a cup of coffee, however. It’s a social institution. It means taking a break to have coffee and conversation with friends, family or co-workers. Fika time is used as a break at work or also to discuss issues. With a friend, it’s the time to get caught up. With the coffee, you might also have some sort of sweet such as a kannelbulle (cinnaomon roll) or my favorite the chocolate ball.
I like the word fika and I like the concept. But when you don’t drink coffee, you can feel a bit like a social outcast. Sure, I always go ahead and join in on fika. But drinking tea is just not the same somehow and most people will comment something like: “you don’t drink coffee. How odd.” In Italy this summer (where drinking coffee is also an institution), I even tried to learn how to drink coffee by ordering it with lots of milk. It didn’t work for me. It still tasted like coffee.
Robert tells me that maybe I will grow up someday and like coffee. But just not now.
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I agree it’s a nice concept and a great sounding word – love the consonants – but I love my coffee also. Speaking of which, it must be time…
I am like you – I do not like coffee, and Robert is one of the reason’s why!
When I was younger, Robert decided that I should try both coffee and tea. He prepared a cup of coffee and a cup of tea, and made me drink them one after another. Needless to say, this is why I do not like coffee or tea.
But what is more interesting is the social impact of not drinking these beverages. Many people are often offended when you say no to their offer of tea or coffee – it is hard for people to comprehend that you do not like coffee/ tea. Recently, a work colleague slept in and missed our breakfast get together. Later in the morning, she turned up to my desk with a large cappuccino and pastry – as a way of saying sorry. I did not have the heart to tell her that I don’t drink coffee. I slowly sipped away while we talked, and when she left I ditched the coffee.
At times I feel that I should try and drink coffee, coffee is the catalyst of many social experiences, it is more than the act of drinking.
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