When Heena first came to Boston, she thought she’d found her new hangout spot at a local café. She walked in, ready for a long afternoon of chilling like back home.
Five minutes later, she was back on the street—coffee in hand, confused.
Here’s why.
🍵 In Nepal, Cafes Are a Lifestyle
“Back home, cafes weren’t just about coffee…they were the place to spend an entire day.”
📖 Study for exams.
🎤 Catch up with friends.
📸 Take aesthetic photos for Instagram.
“No one’s rushing you. You order once and you’re good to chill for hours. The staff doesn’t side-eye you for staying too long—it’s just… normal.”
☕ In Boston, It’s Grab-and-Go
Heena’s first trip to a Boston café was a wake-up call.
“As soon as I walked in, I noticed the vibe was so different. It’s all fast-paced. People order, grab their drink, and leave. No one’s sitting for hours chatting or working.”
Even the setup felt transactional.
“No servers coming over, no cozy atmosphere. It felt like coffee was just fuel for the next task, not an experience.”
Gif by abcnetwork on Giphy
Adjusting to the New Normal
At first, Heena missed her long café days in Nepal—the endless conversations, the laughter, the sense of time slowing down.
But slowly, she adapted.
“I realized it’s just a different culture. People here are always on the go. If I wanted a chill spot, I had to find specific cafes designed for that—usually local, non-chain ones.”
💬 Her Advice?
“If you’re moving to the US, don’t expect Nepali-style café culture everywhere. But also—don’t give up! There are spots in Boston where you can linger, you just have to hunt them down.”