I'm currently drinking decaffeinated tea.
Why?
Because it's one of eleven packets of tea in our kitchen.
Alongside three types of coffee (instant, filter, coffee pods for the espresso machine), two pots of hot chocolate and one pot of chai tea latte mix. It's fair to say that we're well stocked on the hot drinks front.
Interestingly, while all of our hot chocolate is Fairtrade, only half of our teas are and none of our coffee is. This is due to several reasons, gifts for the house etc, but in conclusion, it's fair to say we have a long way to go.
This excessive hot drink consuming brings me to coffee companies, particularly in light of the news that Starbucks have paid no tax in the UK for three years (http://bit.ly/WgXoNO). Working as a charity intern, I have become particularly attuned to the benefits of tax (despite not actually earning enough money to pay serious amounts of tax, VAT excluded) and research has revealed that tax dodging is contributing to poverty, particularly in developing countries.
In light of this information, I've decided that I don't want to purchase anything from Starbucks. But it's not that easy. My train reading this evening reveals that although other coffee chains (Costa, Nero, Pret) do pay substantially more tax than £0, there are other ethical and moral issues which really frustrate me. Such as the lack of fairtrade coffee or the mass purchasing of milk which costs less than production. It seems that the bigger the company, the more they can get away with.
And none of this is actually illegal, but it just seems a bit unfair.
Which is slightly inconvenient, because as anyone who knows me will very quickly confirm, going for coffee is my favourite thing to do.
It's not just simply because of the quality of beverage. I've got a theory which a few people have heard me jabber on about...
Coffee shops aren't just bare, clinical places to go. They create an actively inviting atmosphere which is designed to make you feel comfortable. Sofas, warm colours and pictures on the walls all recreate the feeling of being in your living room, hence why they're such a good place to go for your lunch break. Starbucks, apparently, design each of their stores to fit with the surrounding city and its people.
For example, Durham Starbucks, which opened only two years ago, is designed to look like a library on one side, with books to borrow on real shelves, and then the other side hosts a massive pinboard with events happening in the city. Obviously this replicates the lives of students (who make up the majority of the city's population) with their study hard, play hard vibe.
So I find that I've sold into the "feeling at home" atmosphere in coffee shops. But I also find that meeting a friend, or a few friends, for coffee, is often one of the most rewarding social experiences. Primarily because it takes away the hierarchy of host and guest that is often present when someone's invited for coffee at home. A public place is common grounds and creates an equal environment for conversation to occur. Secondly, the aforesaid atmosphere encourages personal conversation, stimulated by the delightful food and drinks, which creates a sense of relaxation. Thirdly, the point of going for coffee is usually to get to know someone, or to catch up on someone's life, and it's with that distinctive purpose that makes coffee shops so unique. We know what will entail and feel satisfied after.
It's also the perfect environment for spiritual chats, because of all the above reasons but also because Christians are notorious for drinking lots of caffeine and sometimes dislike alcohol and late nights.
Perhaps I've been for coffee too much recently. Perhaps it's because I really enjoy one on one conversations. In conclusion, my dislike of coffee shop chains is problematic for my social life.
It's not a serious issue, but one where I'm recognising the benefits of all of those hot drinks by our kettle. Combined with the fact that there is always some sort of baking or dessert in the fridge (interns and grad schemers apparently have too much free time), we've pretty much got a coffee shop in our house.
Challenge? To practice generosity, ignore chain coffee shops, and get stuck into this book a bit more: http://bit.ly/PCLSL1
Why?
Because it's one of eleven packets of tea in our kitchen.
Alongside three types of coffee (instant, filter, coffee pods for the espresso machine), two pots of hot chocolate and one pot of chai tea latte mix. It's fair to say that we're well stocked on the hot drinks front.
Interestingly, while all of our hot chocolate is Fairtrade, only half of our teas are and none of our coffee is. This is due to several reasons, gifts for the house etc, but in conclusion, it's fair to say we have a long way to go.
This excessive hot drink consuming brings me to coffee companies, particularly in light of the news that Starbucks have paid no tax in the UK for three years (http://bit.ly/WgXoNO). Working as a charity intern, I have become particularly attuned to the benefits of tax (despite not actually earning enough money to pay serious amounts of tax, VAT excluded) and research has revealed that tax dodging is contributing to poverty, particularly in developing countries.
In light of this information, I've decided that I don't want to purchase anything from Starbucks. But it's not that easy. My train reading this evening reveals that although other coffee chains (Costa, Nero, Pret) do pay substantially more tax than £0, there are other ethical and moral issues which really frustrate me. Such as the lack of fairtrade coffee or the mass purchasing of milk which costs less than production. It seems that the bigger the company, the more they can get away with.
And none of this is actually illegal, but it just seems a bit unfair.
Which is slightly inconvenient, because as anyone who knows me will very quickly confirm, going for coffee is my favourite thing to do.
It's not just simply because of the quality of beverage. I've got a theory which a few people have heard me jabber on about...
Coffee shops aren't just bare, clinical places to go. They create an actively inviting atmosphere which is designed to make you feel comfortable. Sofas, warm colours and pictures on the walls all recreate the feeling of being in your living room, hence why they're such a good place to go for your lunch break. Starbucks, apparently, design each of their stores to fit with the surrounding city and its people.
For example, Durham Starbucks, which opened only two years ago, is designed to look like a library on one side, with books to borrow on real shelves, and then the other side hosts a massive pinboard with events happening in the city. Obviously this replicates the lives of students (who make up the majority of the city's population) with their study hard, play hard vibe.
So I find that I've sold into the "feeling at home" atmosphere in coffee shops. But I also find that meeting a friend, or a few friends, for coffee, is often one of the most rewarding social experiences. Primarily because it takes away the hierarchy of host and guest that is often present when someone's invited for coffee at home. A public place is common grounds and creates an equal environment for conversation to occur. Secondly, the aforesaid atmosphere encourages personal conversation, stimulated by the delightful food and drinks, which creates a sense of relaxation. Thirdly, the point of going for coffee is usually to get to know someone, or to catch up on someone's life, and it's with that distinctive purpose that makes coffee shops so unique. We know what will entail and feel satisfied after.
It's also the perfect environment for spiritual chats, because of all the above reasons but also because Christians are notorious for drinking lots of caffeine and sometimes dislike alcohol and late nights.
Perhaps I've been for coffee too much recently. Perhaps it's because I really enjoy one on one conversations. In conclusion, my dislike of coffee shop chains is problematic for my social life.
It's not a serious issue, but one where I'm recognising the benefits of all of those hot drinks by our kettle. Combined with the fact that there is always some sort of baking or dessert in the fridge (interns and grad schemers apparently have too much free time), we've pretty much got a coffee shop in our house.
Challenge? To practice generosity, ignore chain coffee shops, and get stuck into this book a bit more: http://bit.ly/PCLSL1
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