I was recently working on a project for my Italian 101 class. It was a really simple project, just to explore an aspect of Italian culture. I, being a proud coffee addict, chose coffee. And I am so glad I did. By complete accident, I discovered a really interesting Neapolitan tradition. This tradition is called “caffè sospeso” which translates to “suspended coffee”. However, the tradition expands so much beyond just coffee.

The tradition started after World War II. A person who had some good luck or fortune in their day would go to a café and order two coffees. However, they would only drink one of them. The other they would leave for another person, someone who is less fortunate than them. This person would be able to come in and ask the barista if there are any “caffè sospeso” and hopefully receive one. Sometimes the barista’s would just give them to someone who looked in need.

This custom, which started out just in Naples, is beginning to spread across the world. Now you can see cafes that proudly display their “suspended coffee” signs. There are websites, facebook pages, and articles being written on this custom that started out being so small. And I think it is absolutely amazing.

Many people would look at this and see it as it just being coffee. But it is about so much more than that. The meaning of the custom is not to just buy someone a drink. Instead it is about sharing with another person good fortune that you have in your own life. It is about coming together as a larger society and letting people know they are not alone. It is about unity and kindness.

I really hope this custom takes hold and becomes huge. I hope one day you can go into Starbucks and tell them you want to order a suspended coffee. But that will only happen once more people learn about what the custom is and how to support it. So click here and here to view a couple websites explaining “caffeè sospeso!" And go like this Facebook page to show your support! This is a really amazing thing happening, lets help to keep it going!