| Coffee
houses have functioned as a sort of caffeine internet since
the early 1600’s and early on functioned as a sort of SIG.
In fact the Post Office tried to put the coffee houses
out of business because they were spreading information for
which the Post Office wanted to charge a fee – sounds
familiar? Incidentally, there’s even a Starbucks chain.
Coffee
houses sorted out by occupation – Lloyds of London started
in Lloyd’s Coffee House – by politics and by ethnicity. Such is the case today.
Between then, and now, coffee houses languished as
public services improved.
These days they function as an alternative for taverns
and a spot where artists and other collect to exchange
information. They
are still a good spot to rest feet and scope the passing
parade. Oddly enough “tips” may have started in coffee
houses as patrons dropped coins into boxed marked “To Insure
Promptness” to insure their hot brew.
Tip:
Prices do vary and frugal folks understand that you get more
miles from a pot of tea than a cup of coffee.
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