Okay, close enough. It's cat time.
A cat cafe is similar in concept to a dog cafe but much better.
I believe they started in Japan along with many other odd things and are spreading quite quickly. I know there's one in Vienna at any rate.
To understand the experience it's best to picture it like this.
So...pretty much how my mother thinks I'm going to end up living. (At least I will be surrounded by intelligent and fluffy critters albeit ones that watch and silently judge me.)
(Photo from Helen.) This cafe was in Hondae and if you have trouble finding it my advice is to look up or just keep an eye out for the poor sod in the Garfield suit. (In fact, most cat cafes in Korea seem to be advertised thusly. I hope no one has actually passed out while wearing those things although it does seem very likely.)
It was pretty cheap in actuality. We got a free drink since it was our first visit and we could stay as long as we liked so we bummed out there for a couple of hours.
You have to exchange your shoes for a pair of slippers and wash/disinfect your hands before entering.
One of the workers gives you a well illustrated (and laminated) sheet of the rules which are simple enough for any adult. (Children and adults who treat animals like toys might have issues though.)
You are not allowed to pick up the cats or wake them up. You can't bring in outside food and you must be quiet. The cafe was very relaxing in truth. It was a kind of fur therapy.
The cats are free to do as they please. It's not exactly a burden as they're much cleaner than dogs. (I observed several kitties taking bathroom breaks through a door labelled for their exclusive use beside the 'hyoomans' toilet)
The walls and ceiling are lined with climbing frames for cats to enjoy at their leisure. The window sills are good sizes for them to have sunshine naps although they also do that on the chairs, tables, the cash register and the shoulders of the staff.
You can buy snacks to feed them and the staff provide toys for them to play with. All the cats are healthy and happy and perfectly content to receive adoration from lesser beings.
This cafe had a particularly good variety of cats. They had several tabbies, longhaired persians, a sphynx, some scottish folds and a very cheeky siamese cat that I nearly took home with me.
Before we left one of the staff came over and dropped a kitten in my lap for good behaviour. Our departure was stalled for some time.
Well, that was chill but I'm out. Later, cats.
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