People of all walks of life love drinking coffee every day. Many famous musicians, poets, writers, intellectuals, politicians, scientists, radio announcers, television personalities, movie actors, theater performers and media moguls among many others continue to make the brew a very popular beverage.

Does everyone follow the same coffee service etiquette?

• There are basically two types of coffee service: informal and formal. At different times in our lives, we use one or the other.
• To serve coffee, there are three different types of cup sizes that are used.
• Small or demitasse to serve espresso and strong black coffee after a formal dinner.
• Medium size cups or teacups after a meal.
• Large cups at breakfast and during informal gatherings.

Serving coffee at home for family or for a party provides the opportunity to practice “coffee service etiquette.” The coffee service etiquette varies according to the audience, type of gathering, location and even season of the year.

• Informal coffee service etiquette is usually employed during informal family reunions, luncheons and dinners. For informal meals, coffee is prepared ahead of time. The hostess may serve the coffee for each guest. Guests can also serve their own coffee with the desired amount of cream and sugar to taste.
• Formal occasions have servers in charge of coffee service. One server may be in charge of one table at a banquet, for example. The server asks each guest about their coffee preferences and serves the coffee as requested. Formal coffee service is a nice touch to practice at home and make a family member feel “special.”

Of course, there is no need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy coffee. Drinking specialty gourmet coffee in the family room or on the deck on a weekend is a great way to “smell the beans” and enjoy the cup.

The coffee etiquette, of course, varies from the home to the office and to the coffee shop at the corner.

• At the office, around the communal coffee pot, office workers gather to get a hot cup of coffee from the office pot in the morning before starting work or during a break to get some extra “buzz.”
• Sometimes, when coffee pots are not washed after use or coworkers do not make a new pot as a courtesy for the next coffee drinker, the office coffee area can become a contentious one.
• Solution? Bring your own brew in your own thermos or go out and get a fresh cup of coffee elsewhere if you can.

Is there a coffee etiquette for the coffee shop at the corner? Yes.

• Respecting the line is important and basic courtesy is expected.
• Ordering when asked and knowing what to order in advance.
• If using a table at the coffee shop, cleaning up after use is the least one can do for the next coffee patron.
• Drinking something the shop sells, not just using the space for the atmosphere, free Wi-Fi or newspapers.
• Lastly, turning those pesky cell phones off. The public coffee shop may be public but your conversation, most likely, is of no interest to the other patrons.

In the end, enjoying the specialty gourmet coffee you prepare or buy is what matters the most. So, what about a delicious cup of Spanish Espresso?