Creeping in a Café: Spending a Week at Sufficient Grounds

What happens when I devote an entire week of my life to observing human interaction in Sufficient Grounds? I find that Sufficient Grounds has made a name for itself, and my week was definitely well spent there, with all the tea and donuts I ended up ordering. Becoming friendly with the owner, who also works as the cashier, was a nice addition, too.

Day 1: Free Donut Samples Cause Trouble

Sitting in the back corner of Sufficient Grounds, I can see everything clearly: the customers, the workers, and the food. I pretend to be working diligently on a paper so

that no one interrupts me. In reality, however, I am subtly observing people’s interactions while drinking my honey-citron tea.

On the counter, there is a sign labeled “Free Samples.” A student with a Cal backpack hesitatingly comes in to take a donut sample and then leaves.

Two older people sitting at the table next to me scorn him. The older woman exclaims, “I can’t believe kids these days…who does he think he is to come in here for a free donut?” Her husband defends him, explaining that he was once a college student, too, and that the times are rough so people need to do what they can to save money. The conversation ends in a stalemate. The husband and wife both end up with their hands crossed across their chests, and neither one is talking to the other. On their way out, the husband makes a clear effort to take a donut sample and eat it in front of his wife.

Day 2: Sitting in a Café with a Homeless Man and The Owner

As I walk into Sufficient Grounds to order my signature honey-citron tea, the very friendly owner Anthony asks, “What are you up to today, Anna?” I was surprised that he remembered my name, but still felt very special. He explained that he becomes close to most of his customers because they are regulars. He remembers their usual

orders and strikes up a conversation with them every time they come in. I didn’t know what I was in for.

I felt strange sitting at a table and observing nothing but a homeless man. He was in a corner of the café, reading a newspaper he found on the floor and eating his half-sandwich extremely quickly. He was slow getting up for the free donut samples, and it was clear Anthony did not want him in the café. After a while, he noticed that I was observing him and probably began to feel uncomfortable, because he left soon after. When he left, I noticed through the window that he was searching the garbage cans outside for empty bottles. He placed his findings in his rag-like bag and was on his way.

Day 3: What Would I Do Without Sufficient Grounds? That’s a Rhetorical Question.

Feeling sick enough to cry, I went to Sufficient Grounds to get dinner. I told Anthony I was sick, and he recommended an Asian tea that would make my throat feel better. I thanked him and asked what I would do without Sufficient Grounds. Surprisingly enough, Anthony actually answered my rhetorical question. He explained that because the rent is so high, Sufficient Grounds may be closing for good.

Yes, this is true. Read more about it here. Although this was not good news to hear, I was not surprised to hear it. I expected it, especially because the café is not usually busy. Still, I could sense the sadness in Anthony’s voice as he was explaining the situation to me. He reassured me that he is doing everything in his power to keep Sufficient Grounds open and running. I didn’t want to think what I would do if my daily coffee shop was no longer around.

Day 4: The Return of the Homeless Man…But Where is Anthony?

The first thing I notice as I walk in is that Anthony isn’t there. Did I get him sick? Is he upset that Sufficient Grounds may be closing? He works there all the time, and I began to worry about him.

I saw the same homeless man from a couple of days ago walk in. He was carrying trash bags with him, and smelled disgustingly bad. As he was about to order, the baristas kicked him out. They pointed to the sign that read “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone,” and told him that if he did not leave within the next minute, they would report him to the police. This caught the attention of everyone in the café, and the homeless man eventually left without saying anything. I never knew Sufficient Grounds was such a hotbed for homeless people.

Day 5: Wait…Sufficient Grounds Has Been Around for HOW LONG?

I randomly ran into Cindy, the mom of one of my high school friends. She asks what I’m doing at Sufficient Grounds, and we get into a nice conversation about the history of Sufficient Grounds. She says this café has been around for at least 30 years, because this is where she met her husband when she was a freshman at Cal. She got me thinking about my future here, and what would happen if

there were no café right across the street from my dorm. If she had met her husband here, what were the possibilities for my future here? It’s weird to think what can happen…

What would happen if this landmark place closed? I felt terrible that such a landmark place was in jeopardy of closing. Anthony would lose his store and potential relationships would never even have the chance of happening! Sufficient Grounds is even included in the East Bay Express’ “What Every Student Should Know About Cal” article. Read more about it here. It really is a landmark cafe!

Day 6: Anthony’s Birthday and “The-Day-After Halloween-Stories”

I walk into Sufficient Ground for the first time since Friday and notice birthday cards on the counter. It was Anthony’s birthday, so I bought him a donut as a present. I asked him how his birthday was, and he replied, “It doesn’t even feel like my birthday. I came to work like any other day.” How uneventful. I guess that’s what happens when you’re thirty and own a restaurant.

The café is not that empty today, which I take as a good sign. As I walk around, I overhear the words “Santa Barbara” and “Halloween” in the same sentence, and immediately know this will be a juicy conversation. One girl complains, “I don’t even know what to tell you about last night. I literally don’t remember a thing, all I know is that I woke up in a room I’ve never been in before.” Her friend reprimands her by saying, “I told you not to go. This is what happens when you don’t listen to me.” I look over at Anthony to see if he was also eavesdropping, and we both roll our eyes. As I walk past Anthony, he says, “‘The “Day-After-Halloween’ stories are always the best.”

Day 7: Do These People Even Go To Berkeley?

Today, I decided to try something new and share a table with someone. I sat across from an elderly man who looked like he could be a professor. He was grading papers dressed in a suit with big glasses. Every now and then I overheard some mumbling, but I wasn’t able to catch what he said. He had a red pen in his hand and three other red pens on the desk. I wondered to myself whether the pens on the table had run out of ink because his students had done so badly.

I noticed a skinny blonde woman waiting in line to order food. She looked like those girls who walk the streets of Los Angeles hoping to get discovered. She was

wearing designer jeans, carrying a Louis Vuitton bag, and wearing sunglasses inside. She ordered a nonfat smoothie, and when Anthony asked her if she wanted anything else with her smoothie, she replied, “No thanks, I’m watching my weight.” I have no idea what she was thinking when she made that comment.

As I was leaving, I thought to myself if these people even attend Berkeley or are here just for fun.

With the aroma of tea and fresh-baked donuts, Sufficient Grounds provides a home-like atmosphere for the students, professors, businessmen, and homeless people that choose to go there. Hopefully more customers will visit so that this landmark place can stay open if only for a little longer. What can be better than an endless amount of free donuts with every order?