What If We All Did This?

The red neon lights of the diner flickered on the frigid corner of the city street. I was alone and tired, peering through fog covered glass listening to melodic sounds of clinking forks and a familiar 1950’s tune resounding from the juke box.

The door opened, sending a momentary chill throughout the diner that quickly disseminated as it shut. Two men made their way to the counter, peeling off layers of scarfs and jackets.

“Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended,” said the one man. The waitress nodded and brought out two coffees. After a few minutes, the two men finished the drinks and paid.

“What are those ‘suspended’ coffees?” I asked the waitress.

“Wait for it and you’ll see,” she replied.

A little while later, more people entered the diner. Two girls asked for one coffee each, paid and then left. The next order was for seven and it was made by three lawyers, three for them and four “suspended.”

While I sat there wondering what the deal was with those “suspended” coffees, I was glad to be inside the warm, cozy diner as the snow continued to fall on that bitter cold “spring” evening.

Suddenly, a man dressed in shabby clothes who appeared homeless and wandering stumbled into the diner, his hair disheveled and his eyes cold and tired. Kindly he asked the waitress, “Do you happen to have a suspended coffee?”

It’s simple. People pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage. The tradition of “suspended coffees” started in Naples, Italy, but has since spread across the world and in some places, one can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or an entire meal.

The instance I described above was fictional, but why does it have to be? I came across this story on Facebook and decided to share it and then decided to write a news blog about it with hopes of the idea catching on. Wouldn’t it be incredible to have such restaurants and cafes, or even supermarkets in every town throughout the world where people who are homeless or less fortunate could find hope and support? Of course, there are always those who take advantage, but the idea is truly noble.

If you are a business owner, why don’t you offer it to your clients and see how it works? This could be the start of something remarkably world-changing.

Spread the news.