Portable coffee not an option in Italy

By Abby Lubbers

Created:
01/30/09 6:50pm

Last updated:
01/31/09 5:04pm

1 comment

Rome, Italy – Nobody carries Starbucks in Rome. But it’s not just Starbucks that’s missing, it’s all portable coffee.

Instead of walking past half a million locations of the same espresso chain, I pass local “snack bars” about every 300 feet.

Every street and every neighborhood has one of these independent, local snack shops. They typically have two, maybe three, tables, a marble-top bar and a number of espresso machines. The glass-paned bakery shelves below the bar hold any number of baked goods and sandwiches. My personal favorite is pane al cioccolato, a croissant-like pastry filled with chocolate.

The way these snack bars work is very different from the American drive-through espresso chain. Instead of placing an order, paying and leaving with a paper travel mug of coffee, Italians enjoy their coffee while standing at the bar.

Also, in most snack bars, customers do not pay until their drinks, pastries or sandwiches are finished. It took a little while to get used to eating my food before I paid for it, but I have come to appreciate the routine.

I never feel rushed while I am eating, because Italians expect people to sit and take their time, whether enjoying a croissant or a four-course meal. (Restaurant servers also will not bring the bill until you ask for it, because it is considered rude to drop it off on the table).

But regardless of how much I enjoy stopping and drinking an espresso on my way to class, I occasionally miss taking my coffee to go. There’s something great about having a steaming drink to keep my hands warm on a rainy day or keep me awake during a two-hour lecture.

For now, I will just have to step into the Roman culture, and leave for campus a few minutes early — that way I can take my time enjoying Italy’s world-famous espresso at a bar instead of on the way to class.

Commentary

Add your $0.02, go to the comment form or follow the comment feed

greg

(01/30/09 10:29pm)
Report

Paper cups? Yuk. That’s for the birthday parties of four-year-olds.

Allow your coffee to get cold? Lame.

Americans like it “to go” because we buy it by the hour, not by the ounce. Bigger is always better here. So it’s inconceivable that something could be good and small at the same time.

About This Italian Life

Journalism and political science junior and former State News reporter Abby Lubbers is studying abroad at John Cabot University in Rome for the spring 2009 semester.

Follow her journey of what it’s like to live and learn overseas.

This is Abby’s Italian life.

Follow this blog in your feed reader

TSN BLOGROLL More »

FEATURED CLASSIFIEDS: More classifieds »

In Employment:

In Duplexes/Rent:

618 STODDARD. Rent now for fall.

In Houses/Rent:

FRESH CONTENT More »

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:More reprints »

Westboro Baptist Church member Shirley Phelps-Roper of Topeka, Kan. holds up signs at a 30-minute protest ...
Junior center outfielder John Martinez bats a ball. The Spartans defeated the Gophers by, 3-2 within ...
From left, human biology junior Shaylyn Sinclair and media arts and technology senior Stephanie VanDoorn ...
Communications senior and cook for Spartan Signature Catering, Jeremy Epley makes pulled pork sandwiches ...
Breakdancers from two competing crews square off Saturday afternoon at Red Cedar Ransom. The breakdance ...