I imagined my first time in a cat café quite differently. I always thought it as a homy place where cats where roaming around, occasionally jumping in your lap because they can do whatever the fuck they want. It’s their palace, their turf, their territory, rawr! It actually felt more like I ended up in an aquarium instead of pussy kingdom. Instead of swimming with the fish, I was watching cats in a box. I sat there awkwardly, not sure if I should play with the cats, talk with my date or avoid eye contact with the two supervisors who were making sure the well-being of the four footed animals was safeguarded. All in all, it was a weird experience. Being there was like tasting a banana candy, it seemed a bit artificial.
I assume the cats were not sedated. I actually think these feline creatures are being well taken care off. The cats however seemed a bit apathetic. I asked a couple of these mini tigers the question if they were happy but they didn’t answer me… I guess the constant stream of humans who try to get your attention, take a picture with you or pet you in an unpleasant way, make you a bit aloof. You’re literally an attraction for people. They pay per hour for your company and entertainment. It’s not clear to me if cats have feelings and need to feel valued but it’s no wonder that in these circumstances they retreat back in their own world of snoozing. I wonder if they meow to each other in cat language when the cat café closes. “dude, what a shitty day, too many children poking me. Couldn’t even lick myself in peace”
The dating world today is a bit like that cat café. Like the kitty cats, people are stuck inside. They are alive but not really living. Life does become a bit meaningless between four walls. When you’re contained, you can’t be bothered. Someone luring you with a noisy ball or moving a feather on a stick in front of your nose? Don’t care. A picture of an attractive girl/guy? Yeah, whatever. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. I wouldn’t say that there is a widespread defeatist attitude among single people. But I do notice from time to time the absence of real excitement. If dating nowadays is simplified to a process of screening, matching and chatting, then it’s understandable that people are not very eager and enthusiastic to date anymore. Especially not after going through the motions a few times. It would be a different story if someone met the same chick/dude during a social event or in a more organic way.
I do hope things get back to normal soon and I can connect with kittens and cougars through the real world. Yes, most places are not in full lockdown anymore and people are meeting up. But the mingling is limited. Most people stick with their own company (and they should). It all happens from a distance. Only looking but no touching.
But maybe we can throw paper planes with a message to the other side of the room or ask the waiter to drop a note to another table. Could this work?
I know you’re all dying to know which cat was our favourite. Well, it was the huge, fluffy cat that was just chilling in the corner.
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