Coffee Break: the primary reason Icelanders are excited to go to work (in my humble opinion). Similar to the American habit of “Standing Around the Water-Cooler,” it is the cultural phenomenon revolving around warm beverages, getting workers of all kinds out of their desks, in from the cold, and into the communal space of the office to mingle, hydrate and caffeinate a few times each day. Mid-morning, post-lunch and mid-afternoon are the most popular times for coffee breaks, usually lasting around fifteen to twenty minutes, even twenty-five minutes on a good day.
These brief periods of rest throughout the work day add a sense of community to the workplace. People can share snacks or talk about their lives outside of work, creating a space where humans can feel more human and less like machines designed to perform a task. One may find it surprising that Icelanders take these breaks without any threat of a pay cut; the coffee breaks are on the clock, wages rolling in, because the workplace can be more productive and enjoyable when socializing is normal, making it more conducive for bouncing ideas off of co-workers in non-formal settings, allowing for a free-flow of creativity and networking.
Coffee break has been a relaxing experience for myself, as I have had the task of assimilating into a new culture in a small, tight-knit community. These moments of down-time have been valuable opportunities for developing relationships with people I wouldn’t otherwise come in contact with, and gaining an extra boost to make it to lunch with added vigor. Plus, sometimes someone brings cake!
Hannah Figgins
