Why do people say “Lets go for coffee?” generally when they meet someone…"Or lets discuss this over coffee? " etc…in other variations. I know there are some other forms like “lets talk over lunch” and “lets talk over few drinks?” but the use of coffee seems more universal even though they might not all like coffee.
This seems to extend to soft drinks. Way back when I grew up in Texas, it was common to “go get a Coke,” even if Pepsi or Dr. Pepper or anything else was to be bought or ordered.
True, but I think this has to do more with showing class/elegance etc. But thats just my opinion, that you randomly say to a girl/guy “hey lets go for a coffee”. But why Coffee?
Maybe because coffee is good for any occasion? In the UK, I’m sure it must be tea.
It may be common in the US, but it’s hardly “universal.”
“Go for coffee” usually means “sit down and talk over a non-alcoholic beverage.” In the US the “coffee shop” is pretty much the only place you can do that. There aren’t many tea houses, juice bars, milk bars, etc. I suppose you could go to a fast food place and get soda, but usually that’s not the atmosphere you’re looking for.
You have a point there. I am from Seattle myself but right now I am in India/ Nepal and here too they say things like " lets meet up for a coffee in the eve." or anything with coffee… especially when it has to do with meeting some new aquaintences that you are looking forward to either friendship or a relationship or even old buddies just to hang out!
If the invitation is between a man and a woman, as a first personal contact, getting coffee implies it’s not a date, but just an opportunity to explore the possibility. Getting a drink, usually meaning an alcoholic beverage, implies a higher level of intimacy and therefore could be seen as a date.
Getting coffee can mean just an opportunity to chat, get to know each other, or just that you like relaxing over a cuppa’.
I was going to say what A. R. Cane said.
Depending on where you are, there may be quite a few. But have you ever tried to have a conversation in a Jamba Juice?
A.R. Cane got the bulk of it, but the historical trail is a wide swath. Hundreds of years ago, the writers, musicians and painters would hang out in coffee shops, having caffeine-stoked discussions of ideas, colors, tones, and the world. Marx and Engels hung out in coffee houses. The poets and revolutionaries of every generation huddled around coffee cups, long into the night. Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan played in coffeehouses. It still is happening. Who knows what is hatching in the Starbucks and Tim Hortons?
Forgive me, I got carried away. :smack: Coffee.
Really? Damn! But seriously, really? What’s the difference between a first date and an opportunity to explore the possibility of a date? Surely not an expectation of sex.
Actually I think there are undertones of sexuality connected to “go for a drink” that aren’t there in “go for coffee”. It’s probably the “alcohol lowers inhibitions” thing, plus there might be music and dancing at a watering hole, providing opportunity for physical contact, that wouldn’t exist at a coffee shop.
I’ve never heard of feeding someone caffeine in preparation of a seduction.
I guess it does feel like there’s less pressure. Cafes tend to be quieter and more atmospheric than other places; drinking coffee can take as much or as little time as you want it to, so you can escape early if you want to (as opposed to having a meal); and being asked out for a drink seems less casual and potentially more intimate.
It’s also cheaper: drinks or dinner can be a substantial outlay pretty easily–coffee is simple and cheap.
Furthermore, drinks are definitely an evening thing. I meet friends for coffee on Sat morning or in the afternoon/early evening, when it’s really too early for a drink.
It’s not a date unless there are drugs of seduction? I work all natural, pal.
I don’t deny that different activities have different feels. Most of my “first dates” are dinners, usually with no alcohol, and never with dancing. And sometimes with sex.
I was speaking in generalities, pal.
Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. 
Candy is dandy, but sex won’t rot your teeth.
I concur with those saying a coffee date is lighter, maybe earlier in the day and less suggestive of activities afterwards than a drink and/or dinner date.
In any circumstance, just beware of Caffe Latte.
So it is go <GRRRZZZZSSSCCCCHHHHH> ee you. How ar <VVVZZZZSSSHHHHRRSSEEEDD> ids?