Stand Out

“A gentle reminder as to why I got into coffee in the first place.”

I know I’m not the only one - you walk in a book store, pick up a magazine, skim through the pages, looking interested at the photos. The worded articles? Meh. I was all about the picture. Over the last few years, however, I became quite fond of the written word. Being the occasional blogger, I find words can express thoughts and experiences, even more so than pictures alone. But images and words together are like the perfect partnership that only enhances the story.

That is how I genuinely describe Standart. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing in terms of visuals, photography and layout, the articles are insightful, humorous at times and genuinely feels like a conversation with the writer. I prefer physically flicking through pages than swiping on a screen. Pages feel weighted, a reminder that you are holding a quality magazine, plus we spend most (if not, too much) time on our screens anyway so a little downtime helps (the irony as I type this...)

One particular article that caught my attention was “Public Record” by Rhian Sasseen . As a barista, I meet many people and don’t pay too much attention to what work customers are doing. Busy typing away on their laptops with headphones in, it’s a clear sign that they’re busy and unlikely want to be disturbed. But this article was a flip side perspective - the writer sitting in a coffee shop, occasionally observing what’s going on around her, having a casual chat with the barista and typing away as time seems to fly by.

Cultural magazines weren’t really my cup of ‘tea’ until now. Coffee is still the focus, just from a non-profession and everyday point-of-view which is refreshing and gentle reminder as to why I got into coffee in the first place.

Review based on Standart, issue 18 (published March 2020)