It seems quite trivial that coffee would be considered a major shaper in modern society, but then again how often does one think of the importance of coffee in their life? Coffee is the very staple to some people's morning. Some people rave, "I can't even function without my first cup of coffee in the morning!" Besides the drink itself being important, a whole culture has stemmed from coffee shops.

The café itself serves the purpose of a gathering or meeting place - it is not only a place just to sit and sip. Far more interesting than groups gathering is the interaction of regular customers. They are total strangers who would not otherwise interact or ever know one another outside the café setting. During the 17th century in Europe, cafes were a gathering place for men to meet and discuss ideas of the day without fear of persecution.

Coffee and the café is a way of studying the evolution of culture and society. It is such a popular topic that colleges are including it in the curriculum, like Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. There, sociology professor Beau Weston has created a class entitled "The Café and Public Life". The class studies what cafés meant to the past and how they relate to modern day society. Various other coffee classes have popped up around the country at colleges like Emory University and the University of Washington. Very simply, coffee is a way of understanding globalization. Cafés are a place for everyone, which makes the ambiance rich and diverse. The drink itself is the reason for coming, but the environment lures people to stay.