So I got this question – where’d folks actually hang out to chat during the Enlightenment? Sounded simple enough til I started digging. Figured I’d share how this mess went down step by step.
The First Step Was Just Guessing
My lazy brain went “Oh, must’ve been fancy libraries right?” So I Googled ancient library pictures first thing Monday morning while drinking terrible instant coffee. Big mistake.
Found out most libraries back then were either:
- Locked up tighter than my ex’s diary – only rich guys could get in
- Deader than my cactus – nobody actually hanging around chatting
Felt dumb already. Back to square one.
Changing Tactics Like a Lost Tourist
Switched to searching “18th century gossip spots” like some kinda history detective. Found a bunch of academic papers that made my eyes cross. Then – bam! – hit the jackpot:
Turns out people were cramming into coffeehouses like there was free WiFi. Specifically in London and Paris. Who knew?
Started digging deeper:
- London had like 3,000 coffee joints – seriously?!
- Folks called ’em “penny universities” cause for one penny you got coffee and smart talk
- Saw sketches of dudes waving newspapers and yelling arguments – basically Twitter with wigs
The Plot Thickened Big Time
Then I stumbled on salons – basically rich ladies’ living rooms turned debate clubs. Mind blown. Apparently:
- Parisian hostesses ran these intellectual parties like bosses
- Philosophers actually behaved (mostly) to stay invited
- The snacks were probably way better than coffeehouse bread
Spent hours falling down this rabbit hole. Found letters complaining about salon politics – sounded exactly like modern group texts arguing where to eat.
The Final Confusing Twist
Just when I thought I had it figured out, discovered bookstores did secret backroom meetups. Like underground clubs for banned ideas.
My notes looked crazy by this point:
- Coffee = loud public fighting
- Salons = fancy controlled debates
- Bookshops = sneaky whisper networks
What Actually Happened
Ended up calling my history buff friend Dave at 11pm shouting “DID YOU KNOW CAFES WERE THE REDDIT OF 1700S?!” He hung up on me.
Realization: Enlightenment folks were just humans finding spots to argue. Fancy rooms, smelly cafes, shady shops – wherever they wouldn’t get kicked out for yelling about government. Basically like us finding decent WiFi spots to rant online today.
So yeah. Learned three things:
- Old-timey people loved caffeine and drama
- Rich ladies basically invented influencer culture
- Never call Dave after 10pm
