Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

boozing Coffee elsewhere is a very interesting story that brings up a arrive of thought-provoking issues in a relatively short format. Among these are questions of race, identity, and stereotyping. The teller of the story is a young woman named Dina who feels lonely and confused in her new surroundings. As a poor, African American female at Yale (which the teller portrays as a rich, male, and subtlety racist institution) she has difficulty adapting to the expectations of the university.From the very beginning, her differences set her apart from her classmates, until, from her point of view, she becomes a pariah, invisible and despised by the community. Of course, one must view these complaints with slightly skepticism. The narrator deliberately isolates herself with unwritten comments and antisocial behavior. She sees to take pride in her jarring attitude toward spot and friendliness. Only on rare occasions do we see her interact poorly by the other characters. While her beha vior is rude and obnoxious, they seem to be welcoming and sincere in their attempts to reconcile her depression.It soon becomes apparent(a) that Dina finds comfort in her intentional isolation. She takes some satisfaction from stereotyping others un bring togetherly and irrationally, since stereotypes abide a simple and lazy detour around gentle interaction. The narrator in Drinking Coffee Elsewhere has many problems with communication that counteract her from forming healthy relationships. During her sessions with the school psychiatrist, his probing questions provide a window into some of the difficulties she has.One of his most insightful statements is that Dinas constant deceptions and dismissals have accustom her to an offensive reaction. Whenever someone asks her a question her response belittles and mystifies them. Because she has set herself up for this attitude it is a natural custom. For example, in the first few pages, during an habit designed for incoming freshman, the students choose an object they would like to be. The game inspires creativity and helps the freshmen get to know each other. Dina, disgusted by her classmates insipid choices, states that she would be a revolver.This response, obviously meant to shock and discomfort her peers, earns Dina her psychiatric evaluations. Many other examples occur throughout the story. In a conflict with the psychiatrist, the doctor asks Dina virtually her sexual history. This question create tension in different ways, such as sexuality, class, relationships, and shame. Typically, Dina invents a ridiculous story about losing her virginity spontaneously and foolishly. Because of her stereotyping attitude, Dina assumes that the white, male doctor would expect her, a poor, black girl, to do these sorts of things.She derails what could have been an important and intriguing discussion of Dinas insecurities into what she thinks the doctor expects. Later, he calls this attitude her survival mechanism of a black living in a white world. Its an interesting assertion, if not entirely fair to the people of all races who succeed without such pointless and insulting tactics. Ultimately, Drinking Coffee Elsewhere is a story of regret. At the end of the tale, Dina gives a heartfelt reminiscence of her college days, now long past, and the opportunities she missed and friendships she broke.One soulfulness in particular, Heidi, could have been a close and important friend. Instead, Dinas rasping and unpleasant demeanor severed a deep connection. In fact, Dinas quick and thoughtless calling leads her to belittle the death of Heidis mother. This fallacy draws attention to Dr. Raeburns original warning that Dinas tendency to speak nonsense would become an unfortunate habit. The warning applies to the reader as well, promote us to speak thoughtfully and honestly in all human interactions.