Social aspects of coffee
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Many social aspects of coffee can be seen in the modern-day lifestyle. The United States is the largest market for coffee, followed by Germany and Japan[1]. The Nordic countries consume the most coffee per capita, with Finland typically occupying the top spot with a per-capita consumption in excess of 10 kg per year, closely followed by Norway, Sweden and Denmark. [2][3] Consumption has also vastly increased in the United Kingdom in recent years, but as of 2005, was still below 5 kg per year.
Coffee is so popular in the Americas, the Middle East, and Europe that many restaurants specialise in coffee; these are called "coffeehouses" or "cafés". Most cafés also serve tea, sandwiches, pastries, and other light refreshments (some of which may be dunked into the drink). Some shops are miniature cafés that specialise in coffee-to-go for hurried travelers, who may visit these on their way to work as a substitute for breakfast. Some provide other services, such as wired or wireless internet access (thus the name, "internet café" — which has carried over to stores that provide internet service without any coffee) for their customers.
Starbucks, a well known coffeehouse company, began referring to themselves as “The Third Place,” in which they wished to be recognized as the place to go to relax; the third option between work and home[1] This inviting idea actually became a type of lifestyle for thousands of consumers. This clever marketing strategy most likely led to the creation of those who refer to themselves as “Starbucks’ addicts,” and formed the subculture of the company’s devoted consumers.
A woman's late-night invitation to a man for a cup of coffee (typically after a date) has become code for an invitation to sex. This convention has become the subject of a great deal of comedy, and the treatments given to it in Seinfeld (in the words of George Costanza: "'Coffee' doesn't mean coffee! 'Coffee' means sex!") and Eddie Izzard (in Dress to Kill) are particularly noted.
Cafés have historically been an important social gathering point in Paris.
In some countries, notably in northern Europe, coffee parties are a popular form of entertainment. Besides coffee, the host or hostess at the coffee party also serves cake and pastries, sometimes homemade.
In Canada, a retail coffee chain - Tim Hortons - has become a Canadian cultural icon. The locations of the chain serve as community hubs, much as a pub would in the U.K.
Coffee plays a large role in much history and literature because of the large effects the coffee industry has had on cultures where it is produced or consumed. Coffee is often mentioned as one of the main economic goods used in imperial control of trade, and with colonized trade patterns in "goods" such as slaves, coffee, and sugar, which defined Brazilian trade, for example, for centuries. Coffee in culture or trade is a central theme and prominently referenced in much poetry, fiction, and regional history.
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