The week 87 #spillthebeans prompt is such an interesting one. I loved the prompt and loved exploring my mind.
So I'll use a simple story to answer this prompt. Let's begin:
So I'm at a coffee shop, the shop was cozy, air steeped with the warm aroma of roasted beans and some cinnamon. I went there early, nervously swirling my latte and waiting for my companion to arrive. And finally he did!
We exchanged pleasantries, he apologized for being late, I said it's ok. Then I suggested the house special for him, that he should try it, "It's a cinnamon-infused cappuccino and I bet you'd really love it!"
I was convinced this special could charm even the most skeptical
“Oh, I don’t drink coffee,” he said with a casual shrug. “Actually, I dislike the smell of it too.”
Well I froze for a moment, mid-sip. You dislike coffee? And its heavenly aroma? My god!
It's as though he confessed to hating sunshine or the sound of rain. The first reaction that came to mind was to judge him but I quickly caught myself!
Ok the Judgement factor
Well, I wouldn't be surprised to see someone who doesn't love coffee, the easiest place to find someone who doesn't like coffee is in my country. We're so used to what we know as tea, and what we really know as tea is chocolate powder and milk powder mixed in hot water, yes that's what we all grew up knowing as our tea!
I wouldn’t judge him in the traditional sense. Coffee, to me, is more than a drink—it’s a ritual, a mood lifter and more, I love coffee!
The revelation of him not being a coffee lover won't be a dealbreaker. People are more than their beverage preferences. What mattered was how they framed it. If he didn't sneer at my latte or question my taste. His dislike is personal, not prescriptive, and that makes all the difference.
If this were a first date, I’d wonder if his aversion hinted at deeper incompatibilities. After all, coffee shops are my happy place, and the idea of a partner who couldn’t enjoy them with me would feel… odd. Would he mind my morning brew filling the house with its rich aroma? Would they feel left out when I suggested a café for a casual outing?
With a platonic friend, it would be simpler. Coffee isn’t the glue of friendship. We’d likely bond over other shared interests, and I’d mentally bookmark non-coffee-centric venues for future hangouts.
Ultimately, his coffee aversion might prompt me to question my own preferences. Was I too attached to coffee as a social crutch? Could I enjoy connecting with someone over a steaming cup of tea instead?
So I'll give him a chance to share his preferences instead. Maybe this friend might introduce me to something else like a calming ritual of herbal teas or new juice bars. The beauty of relationship is it's ability to challenge or expand us.
So what would be my response when my companion says he doesn't like coffee?
Well, I’d sip my latte and smile, saying, “Well, more coffee for me, then! What drinks do you prefer?” Because I really think that relationships aren’t built on shared love for coffee—they’re built on respect, curiosity, and the willingness to embrace differences.
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