Silent cafés are the places I’ll miss the most in Taipei, maybe.
I don’t think I remember seeing this anywhere in the previous countries I’ve lived in, but I so wish they were more common.

Arriving at a silent café is first reading the pages of warning at the door. “No speaking here”, “If you wish to chat, don’t come in,” “Time limit: 3 hours.” The rules and barriers to entry get me excited to step in, eager to feel what will be coming.

While they are calm, these shops are hardly empty. Walking in greets you with a studious atmosphere. Some read, some work, some write, and everyone stays in their own little bubble. The store I’m at plays some very cozy lo-fi jazz hip-hop sounds. Some other places don’t have music at all (but they have cats).

After quietly ordering something, you can dress your table and get going. Being here makes me conscious of the noise I make. I suddenly start typing slowly on my keyboard (I’m usually a furious typer). Surprisingly, I love not listening to music in that space, being in an environment with a dozen people not talking is hugely relaxing and contributes to my focus and calm.

I feel lucky to be welcomed in spaces like this and would love for them to be global. I know this wouldn’t fit with many cultures, but at least having a few silent hours in cafés would do wonder for everyone’s anxiety.