Brazilian Coffee Traditions - Storytelling and Drinking a "Cafezinho"

Think about it. When was the last time you stopped long enough to sip some great coffee and share in storytelling with someone without the pressure of schedules, clocks and things to do?
In today's modern society, especially in America, it is easy to accept eating while walking, driving, talking on the cell phone and doing other multitasking as a normal lifestyle. The reality is that such hurried and busy living is very stressful and quite unhealthy. This becomes quite apparent during visits to Brazil where leisurely paced meals are still a tradition and a wonderful time to share stories while sipping "cafezinhos."
Try it sometime. Make it a point to have a traditional sit-down lunch or dinner at home and to minimize the hurry-up-and-go and eat on the run behavior. Share precious moments around the table with family and friends. The occasion does not have to be complicated or fancy. However, it needs to allow sufficient time for conversation. Why? Because talking helps cement connections and adds context to new and old situations.
• Memorable storytelling is far more than plain conversation: it involves emotion, sharing memories in vivid details and with imagery.
• The combination of flavors, aromas and smells from food and coffee generally promote fun times and bring back memories.
• For example, who does not smile at the remembrance of smearing their fingers with the sweet leftovers of cake mix prepared by a parent?
• Mention this at a get together and you will hear many people share their own experiences. What can be more fun than re-living someone else's fun memories and biting into a delicious cream filled pastry accompanied by a flavorful freshly brewed cup of coffee?
So, accept the moment. Enjoy the coffee. Make the most of the opportunity to learn from others or to share a story, to tell a myth, to exchange a recipe verbally or to ask about the use of coffee as an ingredient in a specific dish. The result, quite surely, will be a very lively and interesting conversation. Coffee drinking is a great opportunity to connect with people on a very effective and gratifying personal level.
• Legends and myths are great conversation topics because most of them are part of childhood storytelling and local folklore.
• For example, it is possible the story that may come up during a coffee break is about the Brazilian legend of Curupira. This is a mythological dwarf with red hair, green teeth, and green skin. Curupira is the protector of animals and plants in Brazil who punishes any hunter who hunts for fun only or any logger who cuts a tree without a good reason to do so. His feet are turned backwards so he confuses anyone who tries to catch him. One of his favorite pranks is to make people follow his footprints to nowhere: looks like he is walking in one direction when he really is walking in the opposite direction.
Storytelling and drinking a "cafezinho" create personal and collective memories for the future.
The "cafezinho" will end. However, in the Brazilian tradition, go ahead and refill the cup again with some more Santos Bourbon coffee or your favorite Espresso!
Author Bio:
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
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