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‘Hanging coffees’ is the charitable trend we need in every cafe and diner Credits: Social Media
By Chris Weston

‘Hanging coffees’ is the charitable trend we need in every cafe and diner

By Chris Weston

The trend of ‘Hanging coffees’ may not be a familiar one but it should be adopted by cafes and diners from hereon out.

Coffee lovers everywhere will agree that we’re always one sip away from a better day. My morning routine always reliably begins with heading downstairs and making a heavenly latte macchiato. I could probably start my day without it, but why in the world would I want to do that? A delicious coffee is as good as a hug, and I’ve long believed that buying coffee is a love language worth sharing&

Feshly brewed latte coffee on a white table
Freshly brewed latte coffee on a white table, a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. Credit: Frank Lee (Getty Images)

What exactly are ‘Hanging coffees’?

I recently stumbled across a post on Twitter/X about somebody discovering a social trend of ‘hanging coffees’.

That original post now has 55.5k views, and for good reason. The poster describes visiting a small coffee shop and witnessing people order drinks, some for them and others “hanging.”

“Whats this about hanging coffees?” they asked the waiter, who told them, Wait and you’ll see.” More people came into the shop and paid for more ‘hanging coffees’ that they didn’t take with them.

“Then,” the post continues, “a man dressed in worn clothes, who looks like he might be homeless, arrives at the counter and asks sincerely& ‘Do you have a coffee hanging?’ ‘Yes we do, sir.’

Essentially, the trend of ‘hanging coffees’ encourages people who can afford to spare a little cash to purchase a drink that can be served to somebody less fortunate who really needs it.

The person who shared the story (it’s been copied and pasted across social media) writes that the tradition started in Naples but has spread, with the concept extending to people paying for meals and not just coffee.

‘Hanging coffees’ trend earns praise

I myself was deeply moved by the post, and it’s lovely to see that so many other like-minded people feel the same.

Reacting to the image of receipts on a wall for food already paid for, somebody commented: “In an act of pure generosity, a wall blooms with hope, its paper petals a testament to the kindness we are capable of.”
Others have weighed in with their own experiences of seeing this done, promoting the businesses they know that offer ‘hanging coffees’ or a similar system.

“We have a tendency to assign negatives to the least of us,” another commented. “The reality is that people have no idea just how easy it is to become homeless.”

I remember once finding some money I didn’t know I had in my wallet, and with it, I went and bought four coffees to give to the homeless. With each drink I gave away, both of us smiled. It not only made their day that little bit better, but it made mine better too.

Paying it forward is a gift and a blessing, for both the giver and receiver.