Coffee Cups.

Ok, someone needs to explain to me about the coffee cups. When did Americans decide to start walking around with their coffee mugs? Not the thermos mugs, the ceramic ones right out of their kitchen cabinets?

I get that we have a "to-go" culture. I get that everyone likes their coffee in their car and this is why we have coffee shops on every block. Heck, we even have coffee shops with drive-thrus.

But really, why do all of the parents feel the need to walk their kids into school with their coffee mugs in hand? Yesterday at my daughter's ballet class after school, a mom was still carrying her coffee mug with her there, too. When did the "to-go" mugs disappear anyway? The thermos ones ones with the lids  that actually kept it warm. Doesn't coffee get really cold really fast when you start walking around with the mug outside? And what if you drop it? And what about spills? And how the heck do you even fit it in the car cup holder?

Once, John was watching a soccer (football) match in Belgium with his coffee (thermos) mug in hand. It was a cold, early morning match. And one of the other dads asked why he had a cup and if it had whisky in it.

In Belgium coffee was a treat. A break. There was no such thing as coffee "to-go"and I can count on one hand how many Starbucks existed in the ENTIRE COUNTRY. And two of these were at the airport.

When you ordered coffee at a coffee shop, they served it on a tray, with a cookie. Or maybe a piece of chocolate. Or at my most favorite cafe in La Hulpe, they even served their coffee with a little amuse bouche of chocolate mousse. Yum. But the treat part wasn't what made it special, in fact, most of the time I couldn't even eat the cookie. (Stupid gluten allergy.) It was the attitude. It was the idea that this was a chance to sit down for a minute and drink a cup of coffee. It didn't have to take long, just a few minutes. But it was a break from your day to have a cup of coffee.

 Americans, I challenge you to take a coffee break. Tomorrow morning, when you drink your cup of coffee, go SIT DOWN somewhere. Sip from your coffee cup, take a few minutes to think about your day or even read your phone. Surely you can find a few minutes to try it. Trust me, you'll like it.