Italy's longest-serving barista reflects on six decades behind the counter

    > I’ve seen generations grow up. Some grandparents come in with their grandkids and say, “Anna, remember the jukebox?”
    > Today, however, young people no longer come to the bar. They came when we had the dance floor and the music. Today, they like to spend time with the smartphone; they even take it to bed when they go to sleep.

She's vividly awaken with an active mind at 101 yo, it's not a thing for everyone. We try to fix the body decadence problem with technology while ancient seems already discovered it. You can see it in her words and her lifestyle; a simple life, a helpful work, a community that makes you feel appreciated for what you do. All the rest doesn't really matter for longevity.

Btw, the woman is addressing the interviewer using "her", which is a common form of respect, for a person probably half her age.

I was thinking about robotic baristas the other day and how you might save on costs but you give up so much; If I’m going out for coffee I prefer places where I know the baristas so I get to feel like a part of my community.

Always love reading interviews with Italy's youth ;)

Can you imagine the insights on human behaviour that she has had?

Between the lines you can hear the eulogy for a healthy economy and dense social network which have, now, mostly rotted away.

https://archive.is/D6o9S

Working past a 100 is a dream of mine (The barista in the article is 101). I don't think too many people are fond of images of old age in the Western popular zeitgeist - care homes, infirmity, increasing disability.

I hope we can cultivate more 'blue zones' across the Planet, such as in Japan and around the Mediterranean. We have the capability to do so.

God damn!

I wonder what happened to the dance floor. It appears at some point, and then apparently it disappears again too, because the youth stop coming.

I always think that I would hate to work into my old age, but it's different for some. I can't speak to what Anna's financial situation is like, but the way she talks about her work as part of the community and a way to stay active and independent makes me think that she's content, and that's great. She certainly seems like she's doing well for 101!