WARNING: If you’re not into cats, then you may want to skip this post.
A momentous afternoon as Jules and I got past that red velvet rope that bars children under 12 from entering the more exclusive cat cafes in town. Here’s how it went down:
Jules: Mommy, look it says ‘cat cafe,’ maybe we can go have a beverage and pet some cats?
Me: Hmm, I don’t know if they’ll let you in since you’re under 12, but let’s check out the rules posted on the front door.
(while trying to access new words I’ve learned in Chinese class and furiously checking Google translate, the door opens)
Owner: (silence, a look of faint disappointment as his gaze shifts down at Jules)
Me: Umm, hi, would it be possible for us to come in to enjoy your cat cafe I know most cat cafes only allow children over 12 but I don’t even know if you have that rule here do you have that rule here and my son has been begging me to go to a cat cafe he really loves cats but we don’t have one at home and he’s only 8 but he’s very well behaved and respectful.
Owner: (hesitating, looking uneasy) You do realize that there is a minimum drink order, whether it’s an adult or child? And, it’s the same price for either.
Me: Yes, sir, I understand.
Owner: And you can guarantee that your child won’t speak loudly or behave roughly with the cats?
Me: I promise that won’t happen, sir.
Jules: (making big puppy eyes at the owner)
Owner: (giving us the up and down) OK, come in, take off your shoes, change into these slippers and I’ll spray disinfectant on your hands.
Poor Philip, who is currently away at work, called right at this moment, and both Jules and I were so terrified of speaking above a whisper for fear of being kicked out that we had to text him back to tell him that Jules made it into a cat cafe. Of course, Philip realized how awesome this was and was ‘cat’egorically happy for Jules.
So, was the hype worth it? Well, if you saw Jules’ face when he first walked in, then you’d know.
Cat cafes are popular in Taipei since people are kind of cat crazy here and a lot of apartment buildings don’t allow pets, so it allows people to spend time with animals over a cup of coffee or tea. The more exclusive cat cafes, like Cat Flower Garden (小貓花園) where Philip and I went last year, and Genki, are spotless and the animals are well-taken care of. Genki is special in that a lot of the cats in residence (about 19 in total) seem to be one of three breeds: Scottish Fold or some mix containing a lot of Scottish Fold, Maine Coon or Persian. The ones in Cat Flower Garden tend to be mostly strays and rescues that the owners pick up or inherit.
The cats pretty much minded their own business until Jules purchased a small bag of treats whereby he became a cat super magnet. A part of me was slightly freaked out by the sight of Jules surrounded by eight cats under two seconds. And if you really are skeeved by cats and are still reading this, then that image alone will probably give you nightmares. However, except for one rascally Scottish Fold we nicknamed ‘Scamp,’ all the other cats were polite and waited their turn.
After our must-pet-kitty tanks were full, the owner personally thanked Jules for being so well-behaved and mature for his age and invited us to come back and visit soon. We’ve never felt like such A-listers!
