SURFING, gaming and generally relaxing are some of the reasons why the youth and families in Jeddah frequent coffee shops. The Middle East is certainly no stranger to coffee culture, and traditional coffee shops in the region have long acted as a social lubricant. Coffeehouses in the region have always been social hubs, as well as artistic and intellectual centers. People have gathered in coffee houses not just to sample piping hot coffee or hubbly bubblies, but also for business meetings, all night chats or simply having a good time in the company of friends, much like today. Abdul Hameed, manager of Cinnamon and Seattle's Coffee branch said that his customers are mostly Saudis and other Arabs who visit the coffee shop after work. Sometimes, people arrange official meetings at their coffee shop, he added. Jeddah cafés give their customers everything that they could possibly need, with wi-fi access, snacks accounting for their huge popularity. Ahmed Al-Sharif a customer at a local coffee shop at Tahleyah street said it has been a trend for the past five years for young men to meet and hang out at coffee shops. As almost all the cafés have a license for serving snacks, beverages and cold drinks along with coffee, it's easy to attract and entertain customers for hours on end, he said. __
