The Cluster

Some fabulous conversation could be overheard at the local Starbucks this morning as strangers sat in, what we call, “the cluster”. It’s the area surrounding the fireplace where very comfortable easy chairs are strategically placed to encourage relaxation and social interaction. And that it did!!

I walked in filling in time before picking up my daughter for lunch. I grabbed a latte and looked for a spot to sit. The only vacant seat was in the “cluster”, and there was one familiar face sitting at a table close by. Walking over to Walter, I realized that he is a person in my life whom I know, but don’t really know. I only really see him at Starbucks, and we sometimes sit and chat. I suppose he would be categorized as an “acquaintance” in social circles. He is one of the easiest individuals to talk with because his smile, his body language and his speech are all-inviting to everyone he meets. Walter exudes sincerity and kindness. He makes you feel like he really wants to get to know you, and he always has something interesting to talk about. Walter likes to talk and listen, and he makes you think.

This morning “the cluster” consisted of a few people I had never met before.  There was Walter’s friend, Phil who was definitely there for the social interaction; a woman studying for what appeared to be a university course in an area of social studies; she was intrigued by and, from time to time, joined in our topic of conversation; another man who I’ve seen there before, a regular who left after a few minutes clearly not interested in what we were talking about; another gentleman who, once we started talking, looked worried he had picked the wrong place to sit; he didn’t participate in any dialogue, but instead smiled steadily as he sat amidst a group of very vocal coffee drinkers. At one point our topic moved to adultery and he politely excused himself to join a friend on the other side of the room; I’m sure he was relieved to see the familiar face as he escaped from the midst of our web.

We were all very content to sit and talk, and at one point the revelation was made ~ people crave social interaction. We came to the conclusion that Starbucks is popular because the human race instinctively wants face to face conversation. We feel comfortable sitting in an environment that is aesthetically pleasing, with warm colours, soothing and nostalgic music, with comfortable furniture placed to accommodate and encourage conversation; much like a living room. It is an old school concept placed in a retail environment accompanied by a reason to go there; the product, coffee.

Most of our society’s communication is done via computers or cell phones, and the majority is through texting or the ever popular BBMing. Almost gone are the days of actually taking the time to sit with a living being and talking about something, laughing with a friend, consoling a child, inspiring someone you just met, complimenting the person in the line ahead of you, or taking a moment to get to know a stranger.

Well, I did that this morning. I met and chatted at length with 5 people I hardly knew. Each of them had an opinion and each was interested in listening to what the other had to say. There was a real sense of joy in that “cluster”. It had nothing to do with the upcoming holidays or the Christmas carols playing overhead. It had everything to do with the unique ambiance that was, spontaneously, created by people getting to know one another. It was a natural craving finally satisfied.