Whether you're in college pulling an all-nighter or waking up early to make it to your 9 to 5, you probably know the wonders of coffee. I'm here to tell you that coffee may have a lot more value than you think, and it's not just caffeine-related! I have 5 solid reasons as to why people should spend more time in their local café and less time at their local bar.

1. It’s cheaper than going to dinner

I’m a big foodie like everyone else these days, and I’m also the girl who takes strategic pictures of her food when the hamburger and fries come out looking so darn delicious in that “Sunny Day” filter with a Coke Zero on the side. Almost everyone enjoys catching up over a good meal, but let’s face it: going out to dinner every time you meet up with friends can have a pretty big impact on your wallet once all the Steak-n-Shake and Panda Express adds up. That $150 you spent on food could have gone towards your car repair that needs doing after running over that pothole on the way to work this morning and the oil change due next week. Going out for coffee can also take out a chunk of cash if you do it too often, but it’s still 3 or 4 times cheaper than dinner every time you need to meet up with your best friend.

2. It’s a great first date

I am 100% suggesting that you take your potential significant other out for coffee rather than Olive Garden. On a first date (even if it’s just a friend date), dinner can be just awkward. I highly doubt that I’m the only person who feels odd eating in front of a new person. Not only can the atmosphere be uncomfortable, but I don’t want to worry about them seeing me drop that tomato from my salad because I’m pathetic and can’t keep my food on a fork or in my mouth. Why risk having mustard slathered across your chin or spinach stuck between your two front teeth? When you’re conversing over coffee, the worst that can happen is a bit of mocha latte foam sticking to your upper lip, and that’s cuter than spinach teeth, right? I’m exaggerating, but still…think about it.

3. It encourages genuine conversation

In terms of dinner, it can be hard getting a full conversation in with your friend or significant other once the food comes out. When I’m at a restaurant, most of the talking happens while my group and I are waiting for the food; once the foodie pic is taken and I have successfully captured at least 3 “candid” photos of my friend dipping her fries in ketchup, we just eat. On the other hand, when the only thing that stands between you and the other person is a hot mug of cappuccino or iced Americano, you are forced into conversation. When you only need a break from talking to take a sip of your drink, it leaves you with plenty of time to talk about life lately, and I have found that I often end up staying and talking with my friends for hours later than expected, long after the last drops of our drinks have been enjoyed.

4. Coffee time is universal

Coffee is a pretty universal thing. When you look at the different countries of the world, every place is known for a specific food, religion, or unique culture. However, through my observation of traveling friends and my own experience in South Korea, I have decided that coffee (& tea) is a culture popular across the globe, and in this way, is a common unifier. Throughout my time at university, I had tons of international friends, and I cannot count how many times we went to Starbucks or Ellianos on a weekly basis. In terms of language barriers, the atmosphere of a coffee shop might not overcome them, but it sure does make for a more relaxed environment. My friends and I have even taught each other new phrases over a cup of coffee. I was once given a Korean Starbucks coupon packet in case I ever made it back to South Korea; sadly, the coupons have expired, but my desire to enjoy another delicious cup of coffee in another country has not!

5. They have the best “parking lot therapy”

I know this may sound strange at first, so let me explain. Just because you used the drive-thru of your local coffee shop doesn’t mean you have to go home and lose the atmosphere of the place. Once, I planned to go to my favorite café with a friend an hour before closing, but to our surprise, the hours had changed, leaving us with just enough time to swing through the drive-thru before they closed shop. Instead of going home, we took our drinks and parked in the parking lot–just us. This was our “therapy”; it was our time to discuss our lives, our worries, our plans after college graduation, and our favorite times together. My old car and this coffee shop parking lot was basically our equivalent of conversing under the stars in the back of a pick-up.

In conclusion, coffee dates are positively the best dates there are, and if you’re reasoning against me is that you hate coffee…just order yourself a green tea latte (pictured above) and try it anyway. You won't regret the conversation that comes along with it!