In Germany, Kaffee trinken is an important social event. Die meisten Frauen enjoy having weekly — sometimes monthly – gatherings called Kaffeeklatsch. Für sie, it is as much about the taste of Kaffee as it is about whom they share it with (No coffee on the go here!) It is an opportunity to catch up on Nachrichten and socialize mit Freunden, Familie, oder Nachbarn while sipping your favorite beverage, accompanied by some freshly baked homemade Kuchen — mmm…die Erinnerung makes my mouth water.

During my time in Germany, my landlady loved having these special gatherings, usually Sonntagnachmittags. After work, I would hurry back zu meiner Wohnung and as I made my way up the cobblestone driveway, I could see Frau R setting up the Tisch und die Stühle in the shade — right near the corner where the two metal fences meet — overlooking the small river flowing through the property.

Frau R war eine wunderbare Gastgäberin, full of kindness and bursting with energy. To get ready for the Kaffeeklatsch she would always begin by retrieving the Tisch out of the musty old storage space under my apartment, then she would get the mismatched Stühle and set them up, aligning them just right, not too close, not too far apart. She would then scoot nach oben, zu ihre Wohnung, and get the freshly ironed Tischdecke, the dishes, and the silverware which she carried down in einem Korb. Lastly, right before the guests arrived, she would fetch the Kaffee und Kuchen. The process of creating the right atmosphere was very important to her.

Für mich, die Frage war immer, “who would she invite this time?” With Frau R, you never knew until the last minute if you were going to be part of this social hour, even though you desperately wanted too! You see, being invited to Frau R’s Kaffeeklatsch was special because as her chosen guest, you were treated to a pleasant afternoon with great tasting coffee, delicious cake, but most of all great company. It was a wonderful way to share an intimate moment with the people you felt comfortable with and that you wanted to get to know better. How I miss it!

Well, even though I don’t have the pleasure of Frau R’s company anymore, I now have my own great friends with whom I can share a good conversation along with a delicious cup of coffee – the Kaffeeklatsch lives on!

Tschüss,

Nathalie

Vokabel:

• Kaffee trinken – Drinking coffee
• Die meisten Frauen – Most women
• Für sie – For them
• Nachrichten – News
• Mit Freunden, Familie, oder Nachbarn – With friends, familie, or neighbors
• Kuchen – Cake
• Die Erinnerung – The memory
• Sonntagnachmittags – Sunday afternoons
• Zu meiner Wohnung – To my apartment
• Tisch und die Stühle – Table and chairs
• Frau R war eine wunderbare Gastgäberin – Frau R was a wonderful Hostess
• Nach oben – Upstairs
• Tischdecke – Tablecoth
• In einem Korb – In a basket
• Für mich, die Frage war immer – For me, the question always was…