Have you ever paid it forward or been the recipient of something that has been paid forward? If not, this is your chance to experience both at the same time, at least if you're ever in Kashiwa, Japan. At the Ogori Cafe atop the Urban Design Center Kashiwa, you're served what the customer before you ordered. And the next person in line gets what you order. Here's the rules of the cafe:
1. Let's treat the next person. What to treat them with? It's your choice.
2. Even if it's a group of friends or a family, please form a single-file line. Also, you can't buy twice in a row.
3. Please enjoy what you get, even if you hate it. (If you really, really hate it, let's quietly give it to another while saying, "It's my treat…")
4. Let's say "Thank You! (Gochihosama)" if you find the person with your Ogori cafe card.
5. We can't issue a receipt .
Cabel's Blog LOL offers a witty account of a visit to this shareable cafe here. Thumbnail image courtesy of kadorin on Flickr.
Comments
Neal Gorenflo wrote on 10.21.09, 6:01pm:
I know, it's amazing what you can find on Flickr under Creative Commons license. It's a lifesaver here at Shareable, where we're dedicated to depicting how people share in as vivid a way as possible.
The only difference between pay it forward and social security is that PIF, as it's generally practiced, and not in the case of this cafe, is that it's voluntary and self-organizing - there's no broker or central control like in the social security system. Whether sharing is centralized or voluntary, distribution of resources will likely always be uneven in society, though a combination of mechanisms may help societies get as close as possible to making sure everyone has enough to share.
I personally believe that it's important that people have ample opportunity and motivation to share voluntarily so as to become engaged meaningfully with those around them. You never meet the people who benefit from paying social security or taxes or vice versa, so they do not bond one to another.
That's some damn cool coffee art on that latte (cafe au lait?)
Paying it forward makes me think of the present model by which Social Security is financed. Working people pay, retirees get cash. I support the concept from an ethical position, but in practical terms, it is vulnerable to shortfalls. If the guy in front of you is broke, you get no coffee.
Random thoughts. :)