Seattle Press on Line - Conversation Cafes: Look Who's Talking

Conversation Cafes: Look Who's Talking

By Joe Leeak

Apr 25, 2002 -- Freedom of speech is a dangerous thing. At least, that's what England's Charles II thought when he banned coffee houses in 1675. He claimed that they were frequented by groups of malcontents who had "evil and dangerous effects on society." But coffee house chatter between diverse groups of people is exactly what north Seattle resident and activist Vicki Robin is promoting with her latest project, Conversation Cafes. "For me, this is about lowering the taboo against talking to strangers about things that matter," Robin said.

In the days leading up to Earth Day last Sunday, Robin invited everyone to attend a Conversation Cafe and talk about the important issues faced by our planet. Conversation Cafes are a home-grown way for people to engage in big talk in small groups that meet regularly throughout the Puget Sound region. The Cafe discussions have been inspired by the need to talk about life in America since September 11, Enron, the Middle East and most recently-Earth Day.

Conversation Cafes have been taking place in Seattle since August of last year and are Robin's latest effort in promoting positive change in society. The basic format is hosted discussions that use proven conversational techniques, allowing interesting exchanges to take place. Conversation topics are usually determined at individual Cafes by both the host and the participants. Topics discussed at a special Earth Day Conversation Cafe, which took place downtown at Elliott Bay Books, included: favorite strategies for making a livable future, ways that everyone can live within the earth's means, and things people can do to raise earth-friendly awareness.

Three regular participants at the Fremont Conversation Cafe recently decided to participate together in an Earth Day beach cleanup at Golden Gardens Park. But Cafe participants don't need to worry about coming away from a Conversation Cafe with a to-do list as long as their arm. "No action items will be delegated," Robin said, "and if you form a committee you're on your own."

For the last three decades Robin has lived in shared housing situations where the core of the community is centered around a communication process that is very similar to what happens at a Conversation Cafe. The process allows each person to speak in turn until they are complete while others listen without judgment. "After 31 years that [process of] deep listening, honest speaking, full disclosure, and no judgment opened up a profoundly deep awareness," Robin said, "and I have a deep trust of the process."

Robin's idea for public Conversation Cafes hatched four years ago: First as a radio show that never went on the air, next as a TV show that never was, and then last summer, in its simplest form, as groups of people sitting together on a weekly basis to speak of what was really important to them at neighborhood Cafes and coffee shops.

Robin decided to lead a Conversation Cafe at the Wedgewood neighborhood's Grateful Bread deli-bakery near her home. A core group of people began to come every week. Then after the events of September 11 she felt that it was time for the concept to go public on a larger scale. Today there are nearly 20 Conversation Cafes meeting regularly throughout the region. Robin said they are not meant to be study groups. "[They're] about the expectation that you can go down to your local Cafe where a bunch of interesting people are sitting around talking about interesting universal things and you can drop into the conversation."

Robin's hope is that someday Conversations Cafes will not have to exist. "It could just be a regular thing--just uncork it. If we can't talk about the future we want, we will never generate the social will to get there. Debate isn't enough. Lectures aren't enough. We have to think together--and Conversation Cafes are designed to allow people with divergent views to listen to and learn from one another."

Cafe discussions take place every Thursday in Fremont at Wit's End Bookstore from 7 to 9pm, and in Ballard at the Penny Cafe on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8:30pm. Additional locations throughout the city can be found at www.conversationCafe.org or by calling 781-5700.

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Stephanie	Jan 19, 2003	Austin, Tejas	social work
Hi - Thanks for a fresh, concise not. I have been surfing informations about this and others C.C.'s as we are hopefully planning to start one here, downtown Austin. I think her idea is excellant and would need little help to get going. We are wondering about potential problems that arise and how they might be dealt with, especially because this one will be downtown, with a varied attendace! thanks for your article, love it! -S-


doreen	Feb 23, 2006	london	student
any one board and want to chat for a little while