Ever Wondered Why Most Of The Cafe Tables Are Round?

I adore coffee so much that coffee shops feel like a second home to me. I go to cafes whether I have somebody to hang out with or not.

But you know what, this is not the only reason why I love to go to cafes. Firstly, there is no queue for coffee at a coffee shop because it is there for people to enjoy their coffee at a slow pace.

Secondly, coffee shops operate differently than restaurants, where you often eat quickly and then depart. In coffee shops even if you merely order a cup of coffee, the serving staff will leave you alone for hours, with the exception of the odd check-in to see if you need anything more.

But the third and one of the most important aspects, which is psychological in nature, is that coffee shops are not only designed to sell coffee but are also used to signify many hidden things.

Being a regular, I love to befriend other coffee lovers. While I did this frequently, one day, my conversation with a fellow coffee lover became quite insightful.

After spending more than two hours conversing with him, I got to know that the majority of Starbucks tables are circular in shape and there are special reasons behind it.

OK! I know this might not be new for many people. But I wanted to share those reasons so that you get to know about them too.

So, read the whole article to find out the three main reasons (which I discussed) why most of the café tables are round in shape:

Round tables reduce loneliness

After conducting some internet investigation, I quickly learned that all 23,187 Starbucks locations throughout the world had circular tables (except bar tables). Karen Blumenthal, a financial journalist, writes about this in her book, Grande Expectations. She wrote,

“Round tables are more welcoming than those with square edges, and people look less alone while seated at a round table.”

In other words, even when you are alone, as when you are answering phone calls alone or doing work alone, circular tables help you feel less lonely. In his 2015 interview with Brynn Mannino, Starbucks’ president of global development, Arthur Rubinfeld, provided further evidence to support this.

The ideal harmony

The social psychologist Frank T. McAndrew, who is based in America, previously wrote on how the environment of a restaurant affects our behaviour when dining, and he remarked,

“High-end restaurants, on the other hand—with their plush decor, dimmer lighting, and more comfortable furniture—make customers more likely to linger over post-dinner desserts or order just one more round.”

The circular tables are improving the experience for coffee lovers who are just hanging out in Starbucks with their buddies, chatting, and socializing. The next step would be to purchase the next drink, followed by the next, and so on.

Round tables that are not comfortable are also ideal for business

While round tables are cozy for coffee drinkers who are simply chatting and socialising at Starbucks, if you’re like me and visit the coffee shop primarily to find a place to do work, the round table is not the best table shape for working because there is nowhere to rest your elbows unless you push the laptop to the center of the desk.

In other words, we quickly complete our tasks and drink before leaving. Soon after, the next customer takes our spot (table).

Mention your favorite coffee chain in the comment section below.

Also read: 12 Food Items For Which You Pay More At The Restaurant Than They Actually Are