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  Coffee Break: South Africa’s Developing Taste
 
 Two observation's, first one around Wi Fi access. Both Seattle and Vida have Wi FI access, but this is not free at either outlet, you having to purchase access. Second observation is around the culture of take away coffee. Depending on the location of the outlet this appears to fluctuate quite dramatically, as the Seattle in Mandela Square appears to do the bulk of its volume in take away servings based on personal observation whilst an outlet in Hyde Park does far less. 
Shaun Holt, Finance Projects Manager, SAB - October 15, 2007
 
 Dear Ron.

Well done for painting a one-sided view of the SA coffee business. One may as well suggest that the Dutch have no coffee culture at all, since there is only one Starbucks here. Even though each train station offers coffee-on-the-go; supermarkets offer it for free; pure instant coffee can only be found on bottom supermarket shelves; chicory blends are almost unheard of.

Plse allow me to explain:

- The House of Coffees is an SA institution and pioneered the art of roasting coffee beans in the 60’s.

- Mugg 
Mark de Vries, Packaging Development Consultant, Amsterdam - October 15, 2007
 
 I agree with the article, firstly SA does not have a take-away coffee culture, stop trying to justify it. Environments are more restaurant based and encourage sit-down. When you travel to civilised cities with an on the move "take-away culture" you will see the difference of serving and output a Starbucks, Cafe NERO, Costa or Pret undertake to service the early-morning rush-hour, lunch and afternoon pick-me-up. South Africa is very different.

As for free WIFI access, it is deemed free as one doesn't have to subscribe to the signal but pays for the time they utilise, coming from Finance I thought you would understand this. 
Mark Delmar, Brand Manager, InBev - October 15, 2007
 
 Just in response to Mark's comment around the 'deemed free' internet access, anytime you have to pay for something it can no longer be deemed free. You are effectively paying for access including the signal which is all costed into the rate per minute/period/data you subscribe to. My interpretation of free is just that, free with no cost for time or access. 
anonymous - October 15, 2007
 
 Mark -

In your statement about "civilised cities", your Euro arrogance is clearly evident. And your vitriole against Shaun with regards wifi is unnecessary. 
anonymous - October 17, 2007
 
 I would add that my observations come from my experience in the USA (the target of this article), which is far more of a "take away culture" than RSA. I am not sure this is a good thing, by the way...in the USA we have Starbucks outlets with drive-thru windows! As for Mark de Vries's comment, I am not sure how that is relevant...I do not dispute that other countries have a strong coffee culture. Of course Amsterdam has a coffee culture, whoever said it did not???? Are you equating Dutch culture with South African culture? Having spent time in both Amsterdam and Cape Town, I can assure you that things have changed down here since Van Riebeeck’s time! 
Ron, Brand Consultant, Ronald Irwin Agency - October 17, 2007
 
 Ron,You don't have to explain Rooibos to an American audience... at least as a tea. Every nutritionist in the country is recommending it.. it is front and center of all top tea stores... where most tea is sold as leaves .. to go.. Plus, Alexander McCall's books about the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.. have added a lot to the lure and mystique. 
Athol Foden, Naming Director, Brighter Naming - October 18, 2007
 
 
     
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