Do you spend much time in cafes? Why?

Do you think people spend too much time in cafes?

Have you ever felt that you have stayed too long in a café and they want you to go? You bought a coffee more than two hours ago and you have been reading the internet or studying.  Pay-per-minute cafes could be the answer. Ziferblat, the first UK branch of a Russian chain, has just opened in London.  Everything is free inside except the time you spend there.

Ziferblat means clock face in Russian and German. Guests take an alarm clock from the cupboard when they arrive and record the time. At the end they pay for the time they have stayed at the cafe. There's no minimum time. Guests can enjoy the complimentary snacks (biscuits, fruit, vegetables), or prepare their own food in the kitchen.  They can make their own coffee at a professional machine or have someone make it for them. There's even a piano.  It all seems like a brilliant idea.

Ziferblat has opened 10 cafes in Russia in the past two years and now wants to take the idea worldwide. Hostels, hotels and cafes around the world are often filled with people either working remotely or enjoying some relaxing time online. The market for expansion is certainly there. The "coffice", we're told, is the way of the future.

Owner Ivan Mitin says during the first month of the UK opening, they already have some customers who regularly visit. Londoners are more prepared for such a concept; they understand the idea instantly. It's strange to see people lining up to wash their dishes. It's not obligatory, but it's appreciated. They even wash each other's dishes. It's very social. They think of their guests as tenants, all sharing the same space.

Magazine Time Out has called Ziferblat the best new business. But what do you think? Do you think the idea will catch on? Does £1.80 an hour seem like a good price? Would you feel more relaxed, or more stressed with a clock by your side?

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=4, B=1, C=8, D=2, E=7, F=3, G=6, H=5

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. Here are two complimentary wines to go with your concert tickets tonight.

2. She was a brilliant scientist.

3. People in remote parts of the country can’t get good internet

4. Samsung has expansion plans for all of South East Asia.

5. Using your phone to pay for everything is the way of the future.

6. Korean and American fusion style bibimbab is a new concept here.

7. You are obliged to be here tomorrow.

8. It was a good idea but it did not catch on because nobody knew about it.

    

    

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. Do you think this café concept would catch on in Seoul? Why or why not?

2. What ideas, products, or services would compliment cafes in your country?

3. Would you like a job where you can work remotely?

4. Why concepts have expanded well in your country? Why?

5. Do you think this type of café is the way of the future? Why or why not?

6. Can you think of any exciting new concepts for a business? If you can then describe them?

7. What is a new idea that you think is/was brilliant? Why?

8. When you go to a café how are you obliged to behave or act? For example you are obliged to not talk loudly because…..