Coffee is America’s favorite morning beverage and has been for centuries. Social class plays a significant role in coffee culture, with the upper class enjoying more expensive, gourmet coffees while the lower class settles for cheaper, mass-produced blends.
Coffee consumption has remained steady over the years, despite concerns about its health effects. Americans typically drink their coffee black or with milk and sugar. Some popular coffee chains offer a wide variety of flavored syrups and toppings to customize each cup.
Brewed coffee is not the only way to get your caffeine fix. Many people opt for energy drinks or sodas instead. However, these beverages often contain additional ingredients that can be harmful to your health. Coffee, on the other hand, is relatively simple and straightforward.
Whether you enjoy coffee for its flavor or its caffeine content, there’s no denying that it’s a staple in American culture. From small local shops to national chains, coffee can be found everywhere. And with such a wide variety of choices available, there’s sure to be a perfect cup of coffee out there for everyone.
Whether it’s a cup of Starbucks coffee or another brew, it has become a popular option in the United States. According to experts, more than 110 million Americans consume it on a daily basis, with nationwide consumption reaching approximately 300 million cups each day (Douglas, 2009). We may consider getting a cup of coffee isn’t really significant and don’t devote much time thinking about it.
However, if we take a step back and analyze our coffee drinking habits, it can tell us a lot about ourselves as individuals and also as a nation.
Coffee has always been a drink of the elite class. In America, coffee was first introduced by Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam in the 1600s (Smithsonian). At that time, coffee was an expensive commodity and only the wealthy could afford to drink it. Over time, coffee became more accessible to the masses but it still retained its status as a drink of the upper class. This is evident in today’s society where people associate drinking coffee with being sophisticated and intelligent.
In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in coffee culture. This is evident in the proliferation of hipster coffee shops like Starbucks and Blue Bottle. These places are not just selling coffee, they are selling a lifestyle. They are places where people can come to relax, work, or socialize. They have become an integral part of American culture.
What does all of this say about America? Coffee drinking in America is a reflection of our social class structure. It is a symbol of our aspirations and our values. It tells us that we are a nation of coffee drinkers who take our coffee seriously.
However, I see a strong link between a cup of Starbucks coffee and the term “privilege.” We don’t consider drinking a cup of coffee that costs around $4 to be a privilege; we go out to Starbucks instead of making our own at home because it is more convenient! This, in my opinion, is another example of McIntosh’s white privilege. It’s an advantage that we have the choice and money to purchase a cup of Starbucks rather than making our own at home.
It is also important to note that there is a difference between types of coffee shops and the prices they charge for a cup of coffee. For example, a local coffee shop will typically charge less for a cup of coffee than a large chain like Starbucks. This difference in price can be attributed to many factors, including economies of scale, marketing costs, and rent. However, it is safe to say that most Americans would consider Starbucks to be the “default” coffee shop. In other words, when we think of buying a cup of coffee, we usually think of going to Starbucks.
I am a Korean American who lives in America. I believed it was tough for me to consider myself as having advantage in any form, especially as a Korean in the United States. There were periods in my youth when I was ridiculed for my appearance. I recall being picked last for basketball during P.E. in junior high because I was Asian.
There were also times when I was made fun of for my name. When I was in elementary school, there was this one kid who would always call me “chink” and it made me so mad. But now that I am older, I realize that I actually do have a lot of privilege, especially when it comes to coffee.
When I think about social class in America, Coffee is definitely something that comes to mind. It seems like everywhere you go, there is a Starbucks on every corner. And the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. In 2015, Starbucks opened up more than 2,000 stores worldwide and they are planning on opening up even more stores in the future. The company has been so successful that they have even been able to open up stores in countries like China and Russia.
Coffee has become such a big part of American culture and it is something that is enjoyed by people from all different social classes. Whether you are a student who is trying to get through finals or a busy professional who needs an extra boost to get through the day, coffee is there to help. And while there are many different ways to make coffee, the most popular way is to buy it from a coffee shop.
The problem is that not everyone can afford to buy coffee from a coffee shop every day. A cup of coffee from Starbucks can cost upwards of $5 and if you add in the cost of pastries or other food items, the bill can quickly become too expensive for some people. This is where the social class issue comes into play.
Those who are considered to be lower on the social class scale are less likely to be able to afford Starbucks coffee every day. This is because they may have other financial obligations that take precedence over buying coffee. For example, they may need to use that money to pay for rent or groceries.
Or, they may simply not have enough money left over after paying their bills. On the other hand, those who are considered to be upper class are more likely to be able to afford Starbucks coffee every day. This is because they generally have more disposable income and can thus afford to spend more on things like coffee.
