People Watching at Work
In the cafe, time is not the hour on the clock, but the familiar. A friendly face stood across from me at the till.
The cafe is a community, a hub, the space that brings all corners of NOMA together. Whether they don an office lanyard or gardening gloves, or theyâre heading for a day behind the bar at Sadlers Cat or New Century. The other side of the coffee machine becomes a place for me to connect with everyone for even just a minute of a busy day.
Itâs the regulars, every now and then-ers, and brand new characters that make every day so important. The pleasantries exchanged as you place an order, the conversation amongst friends, the business briefings, the family gatherings, the solo coffee dates, the first dates, itâs all here and itâs all part of the tapestry of human connection we see everyday.
Before the sun has risen, and the first espresso shot is pouring through, Companio Chris arrives with the delivery of fresh bakes. A day in the cafe has begun. The sea of early birds are here now getting their caffeine fix before the office day starts. I pour a batch into his rainbow reusable cup for the polite man from the Co-op building. I steam the milk for an oat latte for the father taking his daughter out in her pram for their daily walk. I pass a flat white to Tim to take downstairs to give him fuel for a day of teaching.
It must now be nearing 10am as the trio from the office upstairs have come down for their cappuccinos. We exchange friendly conversation about what fabulous outfit is being worn today, or how long the week seems to be feeling. Freddie the dog is next, his mother beaming with pride at his new carhartt coat, fit for their walk into the NQ later. Now Iâm having a chat with Katie before she takes her usual seat in the window to write up her notes and drink a large latte with honey. Weâre taking a dive into both of our personal lives when suddenly there is a queue forming behind her to the door, itâs lunch time.
The cafe becomes a blur. A soundscape of chatter. Whilst itâs sometimes easy to forget that each interaction is so important, we find ourselves grounded in those regular moments with the people we connect with everyday. The afternoon rolls in as Anna and Julia arrive for their extra hot flat whites. These will be drunk sat at the bar, as they distract us from work with fun stories and gossip. Gary pops in for a hot drink to warm his hands up, frozen from a day of gardening with the others at PLANT. We see the V60 drinkers, late lunchers, and afternoon sweet treat seekers. All with a story from how their day has gone so far. All bringing a piece of the outside world inside the cafe to share with us. Rue comes in to grab a mocha and his favourite sandwich, which signifies to us it is time to crack on with the closing jobs. A debrief of the day, maybe an anecdote from the weekend just gone, and he is on his way.
A day in the cafe is done now, until tomorrow.
