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This is similar to an article about McDonald's restaurants in the US becoming de facto community centres. Older people sitting there all day, free WiFi, clean

This is similar to an article about McDonald's restaurants in the US becoming de facto community centres. Older people sitting there all day, free WiFi, clean washrooms, thousands of restaurants.

JoeAltmaier 10y ago
In the US Midwest its Caseys, a chain of folksy convenience stores. Every small town has one or two (one at each end of town). A couple tables inside allow for socializing. Every morning the old folks gather and talk over coffee. They're completely familiar to the behind-the-counter workers; clearly welcome to stay and drink coffee and chat. Reminds me of the old town diner or truck stop of my youth.
- peckrob 10y ago
  Waffle Houses are somewhat analogous in the US South. They're everywhere (there are 4 within a 15 minute drive of my house), but many people have a favorite one. We'll occasionally pop into one of the nearby ones after church on Sunday. Usually the same regulars in there and the staff know them by name and order. My daughter loves it because she loves watching them cook. Fun fact, FEMA has a "Waffle House index" [0] to determine how damaging a weather event such as a hurricane or tornado outbreak has been based on how many Waffle Houses are still open and what they're serving. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffle_House_Index https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffle_House_Index
thebenedict 10y ago
I'm impressed at how much more gracefully 7-11 handled it than McDonalds initially did in Queens, NY where I grew up [1]. It also helps that a government agency was observant and proactive enough to partner with a private company to build on existing customer behavior, vs trying to start separate initiatives. [1]: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/nyregion/elderly-patrons-end-dispute-with-a-mcdonalds-in-queens.html http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/nyregion/elderly-patrons-e...
Aelinsaar 10y ago
That, and 7-11's in Japan are actually really nice.

This is similar to an article about McDonald's restaurants in the US becoming de facto community centres. Older people sitting there all day, free WiFi, clean washrooms, thousands of restaurants.

JoeAltmaier 10y ago

In the US Midwest its Caseys, a chain of folksy convenience stores. Every small town has one or two (one at each end of town). A couple tables inside allow for socializing. Every morning the old folks gather and talk over coffee. They're completely familiar to the behind-the-counter workers; clearly welcome to stay and drink coffee and chat. Reminds me of the old town diner or truck stop of my youth.

peckrob 10y ago
Waffle Houses are somewhat analogous in the US South. They're everywhere (there are 4 within a 15 minute drive of my house), but many people have a favorite one. We'll occasionally pop into one of the nearby ones after church on Sunday. Usually the same regulars in there and the staff know them by name and order. My daughter loves it because she loves watching them cook. Fun fact, FEMA has a "Waffle House index" [0] to determine how damaging a weather event such as a hurricane or tornado outbreak has been based on how many Waffle Houses are still open and what they're serving. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffle_House_Index https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffle_House_Index

thebenedict 10y ago

I'm impressed at how much more gracefully 7-11 handled it than McDonalds initially did in Queens, NY where I grew up [1]. It also helps that a government agency was observant and proactive enough to partner with a private company to build on existing customer behavior, vs trying to start separate initiatives. [1]: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/nyregion/elderly-patrons-end-dispute-with-a-mcdonalds-in-queens.html http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/nyregion/elderly-patrons-e...

Aelinsaar 10y ago

That, and 7-11's in Japan are actually really nice.