Comparing coffee shop interactions

In the United States it is obvious to us that getting coffee is more of a social event. I took the opportunity to observe the busiest coffee shop in Boone, Starbucks. While I was there people would get a usually large coffee--iced was the most popular, and usually sit and interact with people the know. Many people took the time at the coffee shop to relax or work. On the other hand, when people visit coffee shops in Florence they are very quick--drink coffee and go on about their business. One cultural thing I noticed between coffee shops was that U.S. shops usually automatically assume you want it to go, where as Florence shops actually asked you in order to save waste. This was something that really confused me--it seems really backwards.

-A.S.