The Tradition from Naples of Offering a Coffee to the Next Customer
The "caffè sospeso" is a beloved Neapolitan custom that has transcended its origins and spread worldwide. What does it entail? It's a practice rooted in solidarity, dating back possibly to the post-war period,where a gesture as simple as buying an extra coffee became a symbol of kindness towards the less fortunate, for whom even a coffee at the bar was a luxury.
In Naples, where coffee holds a cherished place as a moment of relaxation and sharing enjoyment, this tradition emerged among patrons - often older generations- who, in moments of joy, would pay two coffees instead of one: one for themselves and another as a ‘Caffè Sospeso’ (“suspended coffee”) prepaid for the next person in need.
Luciano De Crescenzo beautifully describes in his book Il caffè sospeso:
“When a Neapolitan is happy for some reason, instead of paying for just one coffee, the one he would drink himself, he pays for two, one for himself and one for the next customer. It’s like offering coffee to the rest of the world...”
In a happy moment of your day, you treat yourself to an unselfish act of kindness by offering coffee to a stranger.
This tradition, far from being relegated to the past, still thrives in select bars, not only in Naples but also across Italy and beyond.
The concept "caffè sospeso," or caffè pendente (“pending coffee,”) has resonated deeply in Latin countries and beyond, reflecting a universal desire to share moments of joy with others.
In Spain, the café pendiente has become a tool of solidarity during times crises, with hundreds of bars participating and hundreds of prepaid coffees accumulated.
In Argentina, it manifests as a slice of cake or dessert - empanada pendiente - left paid for by one customer to be enjoyed by the next.
Next time you visit a bar, consider asking about the"caffè pendente." You may discover a heartwarming tradition that continues to brighten people’s days around the world.