Fika in Italy
In Italy, fika is a daily habit, known as "pausa caffé" (coffee break). It lasts around 15 to 20 minutes and occasionally, it is accompanied by a piece of cake, pie or biscuits.
In an Italian work place, everyone gathers together to go to a bar or near a coffee machine to have a break at usually 10 a.m. People have a coffee or a fruit juice and chat to each other. It lasts around 15 or 20 minutes and rarely it is accompanied by a piece of cake, pie or biscuits. It is often done standing next to a bar, counter or a coffee table. This is because this coffee break is not always a real pause: sometimes working commitments are high and people cannot always factor in enjoying this daily break.
Italian fika and Swedish fika are quite the same outside of the workplace: it's a meeting among friends or family or both, and people enjoy their time whilst having a cup of coffee or a drink and something to eat. It can last just 15 minutes or up to 2 hours or more, this depends on the time that people have available in that moment as well as how much they enjoy their fika. The conversation consists of an update to friends and family about their own life, talking about work, love or news whilst having fun together.
My Italian friend Stefania says “We hope that Italian "pausa caffé" will take place in a more aware way, bringing positive vibes to employees.”. She continues; “The positive effect of the pause isn't spread in an Italian work place and directors sometimes believe it's a waste of time or it is not necessary. Sometimes it is a habit that employees do because it's a daily activity, not because they appreciate the moment to socialise with coworkers and to enjoy it.”
Thank you kindly to Stefania Carrieri for this write-up and the picture 🙏