‘Fika’ : Coffee breaks inspired by the Swedes.
Let this be my plea for an espresso machine accompanied by pastries and savory snacks in every office! But before you rush to propose this to HR, understanding the significance of Fika could prove useful. Even if it fails to sway others, it might just transport you to “the other side of paradise” (with a nod to Glass Animals’ song from Dreamland).
The etymology of the word fika comes from the19th century word kaffi (coffee) — then Swedes switched positions of the two syllables and removed one f. But don’t be fooled. It’s not as basic as it sounds, like most Scandinavian words it has nuance. Meeting and hanging out with friends Fika isn’t just a phenomenon but a way of being. Coffee with a sweet treat, maybe?
Interestingly, coffee faced multiple bans in Sweden throughout its history. In 1746, high taxes were imposed on coffee and tea, and the country even witnessed periodic prohibitions on the commodity. While delving into the reasons and history behind these bans would be intriguing, for the purpose of this piece, I’ll focus on the broader theme of coffee and why I highly recommend incorporating a ritual inspired by Fika.
Before we move further, I thought I would quote these lovely Swedish words and phrases around Fika .
En kopp caffe, tack! — A cup of coffee, please!
Ska vi ses över en fika någon gång? — Shall we have a coffee together some time?
fikabröd — coffee break pastry
A ritual that draws inspiration from Fika:
One of my fondest memories from college is attending choir practice with The Capital City Minstrels in Delhi. Even before the singing began, our conversations revolved around food. Someone in the choir cleverly christened us as ‘The Capital City Munchers,’ and I adored that nickname. Just the thought of it brings a smile to my face. People would bring small treats, and we would gather for chai before diving into rehearsals. I still remember those initial years when Devina, a fellow soprano, would bring pies, and someone else would bring biscuits. The aroma of freshly baked pie or biscuits, paired with chai, was all we craved. It created a sense of connection and enjoyment through a shared activity.
Having chai before choir served as a delightful ice breaker, making it much easier to interact with people. So, in my mind, it’s an obvious choice when I think about work or attending a social mixer. For many Indians, a cup of chai or coffee is all we really need, along with some biscuits, to complete the experience. However, the end-of-season potluck was equally exciting. It becomes even more special when individuals from various backgrounds contribute dishes that reflect their culture, bringing the warmth of their homes into an office or social setting.
Sweden boasts a high GDP, and it’s no secret that they fare well on the Happiness Index. Perhaps there are valuable lessons we can all learn from them. Embracing these takeaways doesn’t require abandoning our own traditions; it simply involves recognizing and incorporating the positive aspects we observe in other cultures.
I believe that we all possess vibrant cultures rooted in shared themes, but over time, some of these meaningful “rituals” have been forgotten. If you are aware of any traditions from your culture that could be beneficial to others, I encourage you to reach out and share with me or leave a comment. We are all constantly learning and striving to grow. Personally, Fika is a new word and concept that has piqued my interest. A few years ago, it was Hygge, a Danish term that evokes fond memories of cozy gatherings with my girlfriends at our favorite café, where we would joyfully split a decadent chocolate cake into four equal parts.
As an enthusiast of everything chai and tea :P The tea ceremony, which is frequently discussed in the context of Asia, is something I’d love to delve deeply into. I’ve never given the procedure or the lovely ritualistic aspect of it all much thought.
