Another important question is how do the cafes stay in business when all anyone ever buys is a cup of coffee and then sits with the empty cup hour after hour as proof of their good customer status? I suggested to the owner of my favorite cafe that she charge a small chair rental fee if a customer sits in the same seat for three hours without making a purchase. She did and all that accomplished is that people stood, picked up their empty cups and changed seats at the 2:59 mark.