PalenQ

But for someone to sit at a packed cafe taking up a table dawdling for a long time over a coke would be IMO rather autistic -if there are empty tables who cares.

huh?>

Let me splain! If there are empty tables who cares if you sit there for eons nursing a single Coke - and technically I suppose the French tradition lets you stay if the tables are all full. But to do so would be impolite IMO to folks who wanted seats who are ordering and to the waiter or cafe owner who is losing money. This is if the cafe is full dawdling a long time with just a single drink would be rather uncouth and uncool.

autistic= not realizing things that most people do or should.

Try a menthe a l'eaux (sp?)- mint with sparking water - Mormons should be able to drink that?

NewbE

Mormons? Where did they enter into it? Mormons don't drink caffeine, so neither Coke nor hot chocolate, which the OP said s/he drinks, would be an option.

PalenQ

Was not necessarily talking about the OP!

NewbE

Oh--okey dokey, then!

I love all the flavorings European cafes can add to fizzy water--well worth exploring, IMO. (I also love wine and other alcoholic beverages, and tea and coffee--the OP's dilemma is not mine, lol. Mine is how to choose!)

Esperanza77

I would order something just to be able to relax and not feel guilty for occupying space without paying. I would actually order one drink for each hour I stay at the cafe, even if I'm not going to consume that item.

fuzzbucket

This time of year, you would do better by going to the supermarket, getting what you want, and go down to sit on the lower quai by the Seine or at Canal Saint Martin.

You could spend all day there looking at people without spending much money.