Coffee shops provide the perfect sanctuary for caffeine addicts. If you walk through the major districts of most cities worldwide, you will see at least one coffee shop in every corner. Coffee has indeed become a social drink. Coffee shops allow you to study with your classmates for an upcoming exam, catch up with friends and do business.

Coffee shops are designed to provide satisfaction regardless if you’re alone or with a group. These establishments are packed with people of all ages and all of them have their distinct solitary agendas. Just carefully observe the things that you can find in a coffee shop, then think outside the box. You might be surprised with the number of things that you can do. Here are the things that you can do when you’re alone in a coffee shop.

1. Read a Novel – A good book always goes well with coffee. Coffee’s caffeine content is a potent stimulant that will keep you awake during long descriptive stretches found in most novels. It can also give you a nice energy surge to breeze through the quick paced scenes of the story. The subplots, twists and minor details that matter can be easily picked up through that caffeine-induced surge. Soon enough, you will notice that you are almost done reading your thick book.

2. Write a Journal Entry or Literary Piece – Without any companions, you can think freely about what transpired during the past few days. Incorporate those events with your philosophies, beliefs and some wordplay, then you will get an insightful or emotional journal entry. If you are creative, you can write poems and short stories. Don’t worry about running out of ideas. You can always sip from your coffee cup to get that much needed mental surge.

3. Surf the Internet – A growing population of laptop users are hanging out in coffee shops because of the wi-fi access provided by these establishments. Some people even create office documents and reports in coffee shops since doing Internet research with coffee and a homey ambiance feels satisfying.

4. Reminisce – A tall glass of espresso is a perfect companion for sentimental people. Coffee, as a stimulant, allows people to remember the details of their personal stories vividly. If you want to reflect on your previous decisions and possible actions, you may want to visit a coffee shop and go home with a clear mind and a smile on your face.

5. Paint – Painting is an activity that requires a high level of concentration. The strokes and details must be precise to produce an intricate effect. During these moments, a few cups of warm coffee can keep your mind wide awake. You can then concentrate better while thinking of more concepts for your painting.

6. Meet Strangers – Most people who enjoy staying in coffee shops are often engaged in casual conversations. If you want to join the conversation of people from the next table, you can always ask their permission if you can comment. If you get their approval, you can enlighten them with your two cents.

7. Befriend the Baristas – Befriending the baristas or coffee makers has many advantages, especially to those who frequent a particular coffee shop branch. If you are alone, a befriended barista will approach you during his or her break and engage you in casual conversations. One of the barista’s duties is to turn satisfied customers into loyal customers, making them good coffee buddies. They can also give you discounts and freebies discreetly so better maintain the friendship.

8. Listen to Music – The explosion of portable music players on the market has become beneficial to coffee shops. Music combined with the stimulating effects of coffee can boost your energy.

9. Smoking – Smoking is bad for your health but if you’re too hooked on nicotine, pairing it up with caffeine can simply be phenomenal. The balance of stimulation and relaxation from both items produces a feeling that only smoking coffee drinkers can describe. These people usually partner their coffee and cigarettes with other activities such as reading, writing or painting.

10. Make Paper Crafts or Origamis – Just like painting, making paper crafts requires concentration and an alert mind. Caffeine can help you in those departments since it is a strong mental stimulant. Sip a double shot espresso or an Americano and you will breeze through even the most complicated paper-based crafts.

11. Create a Club – The coffee shop is a popular place for organizational meetings and get-togethers. Schedule regular gatherings in your favorite corner of the establishment. If your regular meetings turn out to be a big thing, don”t forget to ask for permission from the manager. You can even strike a deal with them. Ask for discounts and maybe you can promote their coffee shop through your various projects.

12. Get Off Your Chair – If all else fails, you can move out of the coffee shop and head over to a club where there is more action. The stimulating effect of coffee will give you more energy for an all-night affair with your clubbing buddies. Just don’t drink alcohol too early. Coffee does not normally mix well with alcohol.

The coffee shop is a place filled with many wonderful ideas for activities. Take advantage of the place’s potential and you will realize that loneliness and being alone are two totally different terms.