Coffee shops and The Economy

So, as I was flying from Sacramento back to Seattle today, I started reading Vanity Fair. Most of the articles were, in some way or another, regarding the state our economic crisis. Back in Chico, tons of businesses are closing; some are even big corporations. Man, that sucks. Money has a crazy way of controlling the way we live and even who we are, so when people lose their jobs (I believe an estimated 7.7 million thus far) it does ruin our "American Dream" faster than we even recognize. 

Another thing I've noticed is that "going to coffee" and "getting some tea" has become quite the fad. And for some reason, coffee shops and tea bars have not taken the worst hit from our economic problems. In fact, it seems like they are even more crowded and busier than ever. So, I thought, maybe people are beginning to understand that the "American Dream" is not about making enough money to get the mini van, the flat screen, send the kids to a private school, and take a nice vacation once a year. Instead, our generation is starting to see that it is all about relationships. What is the point of life if you cannot relate and understand and appreciate and love others? And more importantly, what is the point of life if you cannot get some coffee with your closest friends? I think we can all admit that we have a caffeine addiction, and we also have a need for relationship. 

Maybe this "economic crisis" is reason to rediscover what the "American Dream" should have been in the first place. With more people in coffee shops and tea bars maybe we could also say that people are spending more of their money on something that will give them relational dividends instead of financial dividends. And let's face it: Financial dividends really don't mean anything these days.

Cassi Raie