Jacob Konst/ Arizona Summer Wildcat Patricia Rosas, Kay McDousugh, Lynn Ratener, and Leslie Dioune discuss myth and patriotism inside Fat Tuesday. Conversation Cafˇ meets biweekly to discuss different topics of interest.

It's not necessarily anything like Linda Richmond's skit, Coffee Talk, on Saturday Night Live. And though it's from Seattle, it's not Starbucks either. It's Conversation Cafe.

The Seattle-based organization, Conversation Cafˇ, works to create an atmosphere conducive to free-flowing, intelligent and respectful conversation among informed people. With subjects ranging from myth to patriotism, Conversation Cafˇ offers the opportunity for conversation with people of different generations, nationalities and backgrounds in a safe and stimulating environment.

"The motto is respect. The idea is to learn, not to persuade," said Lucas Hill, co-host of one local chapter of Conversation Cafˇ. Hill, an information resources and library information graduate student, began the chapter at Cafˇ Paraiso with his friend, UA alumni Sanjay Desai.

The hosts of Conversation Cafˇ take the motto seriously. At the beginning of each session, the host or co-hosts distribute a paper with ground rules like "suspend judgment as best you can," "invite and welcome diversity of opinion" and "go for honesty and depth·without going on and on." The last guideline received a few chuckles from the group.

After reading the rules, the group takes a moment to collect their thoughts in silence and prepare for the conversation topic. Then round one begins. Round one consists of uncontested, one or two minute opening remarks on the selected topic. After everyone has put their two cents in the general discussion, or round two, begins.

"Just because I have an idea of where I would go, the conversation goes where the conversation goes. It's free form," Desai said.

Locations Cottage Cafe & Bakery 800 N. Kolb Road 1st & 3rd Tue., 7-8:30 p.m. Contact Elizabeth at 907-5958 Rincon Market Cafe 2513 E. 6th St. 2nd & 4th Thursday, 7:30-9 p.m. Contact: Mike at 325-4675 Caffe Diva 2965 N. Campbell Ave. 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. Contact: Jack at 529-6801 Cafe Paraiso 800 E. University Blvd 1st & 3rd Sat. , 2-3:30 p.m. Contact: Sanjay at 577-9642

About an hour later, round three÷ the debriefing÷ begins. In this stage, the conversation goes around the circle and, like the first round, each person tells what he/she learned from the conversation.

"I am always amazed where the conversation goes and how much I take away, regardless of the topic. I learn about myself and I learn about others. That's what keeps me coming back," group member Leslie Dionne White said.

Al Schroder, Assistant Managing Editor for the UA Press, has attended the meeting for the past year.

"Conversation Cafˇ exposes me to a lot of different viewpoints. So many times we start as strangers and by the end, we're practically old friends and keep coming back," Schroder said.

The enthusiasm among the participants is contagious. Newcomers come back and bring friends according to whom?

Trish Rosas and Michael Millard were the first people to start a chapter of Conversation Cafˇ in Tucson. Rosas encourages students from UA to join in the conversations. She points out how economical Conversation Cafˇ can be for college students.

"There are few places to go where you're active and not passive and it still doesn't cost a dime. You don't even have to get a cup of coffee if you don't want to. Nobody notices anyway," she said.

Cup of coffee or not, the bottom line is this: Here's a topic. Talk amongst yourselves.

For more info go to conversationcafe.org or call (206) 781-5700