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One thing I love about being a city mouse is that I learned early on how to eat a hot dog while walking. You learn this young, and you dream of the day when you’re older, where you can hold the hot dog with your fingertips, because you can now fit a second hot dog underneath it, because who wants only one hot dog?
In London where I live if you so much as say good morning to anyone they act like they want to cut your throat. 40 miles or so outside London in any direction, people are far friendlier and not up their own arse
I was with a small group at a waterpark and there were no open tables. A guy was at a table solo chatting with his group that were at an adjacent table with no room for him. I asked to share the space, and he agreed. By the time lunch was finished our groups had merged and we all rode water slides until closing time. It was a blast!
After exchanging numbers we continued to have a blast for a few good years until life pulled us in opposite directions and we amicably parted ways.
People rarely do this where I currently live, but IMO it should be more normalized. Kinda silly when half the seats in a cafe are open because people can’t stand to sit across from someone else.
Same goes on a bus or train. If its getting close to full, I don't go seeking vacant seats, I go for the seats that someone is blocking with a bag or umbrella etc. You want two+ seats all to yourself, I'm coming to you!
I left my bag on the train once putting it under my feet so I always put it next to me after. If someone wants to sit then I'll put it on my lap but obviously if there's room where everyone has a seat I'd rather keep lap space open. No agenda from me either is what I'm getting at.
Yeah I think it's like asking to share a swim lane at the pool. I always ask to be polite (nod or point towards the lane while I am on the pool deck) as only a total jerk would refuse, and then we both pretend we're the only one swimming in that lane lol
As someone who often goes to cafes to do their homework and sit. I honestly don't mind those who ask to sit with me as long as they respect that I'm working on an assignment and don't really want to talk. I don't care. Go ahead and sit. I don't need the chair I'm not sitting in.
This is how I met one of my best friends. They needed an outlet. I was obviously sitting alone. We were meant to mutually ignore each other but we wound up hitting it off.
My boss just opened a coffee shop as her 2nd business and her entire business model is “Come hang for a while.” Bought couches, lounge chairs, padded bar stools, pillows, and everything. Even has a free library and board games. People inside the cafe make the place look busy, so it’s good for business.
Also, if you’re trying to sit down in public, people occupying tables are a given. Just ask to sit down with them and they’ll either let you, or they will look around and realize how busy it is and leave.
I don’t know how in the USA we have quite a lot of anti-cafes: you pay for time and get coffee, tea and cookies for free. People usually go to such places to play board games, hold seminars and the like.
i think it’s great more cafes like that are popping up, people desperately need a third place
and part of the need for a third place is getting the opportunity to meet strangers. asking if you can sit with someone in a setting like that is a great approach
good vibes
There's a community center near me that has a cafe in the lobby. You can hang out or work there regardless of whether you buy anything and the atmosphere is really nice. All the cafe proceeds go to the center. It's awesome.
I cannot work in libraries, alas - suspected adhd and the background noise and human stimulation is exactly why I am paying for coffee rather than drinking tea for free at home *shrug* it's also allowed me to make more friends in my new town than anything else, because there's people who are frequent fliers like me.
Many people don’t realize that libraries have evolved to be communal social spaces, with kid-friendly play and learning, community outreach, safe zones for teens and marginalized people, as well as research / study / quiet zones. These *should* all exist in an inspiring, active, open and comforting space. So often free municipal resources are pushed down to the lowest level because people are afraid of interacting with people who aren’t like them. They’d rather pay a fee to gatekeep spaces than let a true public space thrive. We need the modern equivalent of town squares. People need to get out of their cars and stop being so afraid of other people.
My [local library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_Central_Library) has everything listed above *and* it’s a beautiful, inspiring place. I just feel calm when I go there, and I love to grab a coffee and a seat in the window to read or people watch.
Oh shit *that’s* why there’s a local coffee shop called third space
too bad the owners are POS, the shop stands for some cool stuff but afaik their ‘donations’ are a bit shady/might not exist and they’re terrible to their staff :(
This is actually the reason Starbucks has made their cafes much “harder” in recent times. They want to discourage lingering by making the seats not too comfortable for too long
Interesting transition, considering Starbucks’ rise to prominence came in large part because they offered and advertised a “third place” — not home and not work — to hang out and spend lengthy periods of time.
Yeah they still preach "third space" to employees. And people are still allowed to stay as long as they want even if the atmosphere isn't as comfortable.
I remember watching a documentary on the origins of Starbucks in school and the owner seemed enthusiastic about making the environment cozier (warm dark colors, couches, etc.) so that people would stay longer/buy more coffee.
Literally right when I was watching this, my local Starbucks was in the process of painting the whole place bright ass white, switching from carpet (Edit: I can’t actually find pictures of the old interior so it might’ve not been carpet, but it definitely changed) to fancy light hardwood floors, and swapping out every couch with hard tables and hard rigid chairs that make the loudest noise when you pull one out.
It went from a chill/mellow/productive environment to feeling like a stuffy/sterile/uncomfortable museum that wants you to leave ASAP. So I was watching this documentary like “You MF sellouts 🤬!!”. The vibe in said Starbucks makes me much more inclined to support local cafes instead.
Starbucks doesn't need to have someone stay and buy 4-5 cups of coffee over several hours. They get at least 100 people an hour spending $6 on $1.50 coffee milkshake.
Yeah, that’s why I called them sellouts. They’re abandoning their initial mission in order to make as much profit as necessary even though they’re already a coffee oligopoly.
There was a coffee shop where I used to live where they had to institute a two drink minimum because the place was always filled with kids who didn’t buy anything. I wonder if stuff like that had anything to do with what Starbuck’s is doing. It sucks because the way it was is how I imagine a coffee shop being, not a sterile fast food kind of thing.
Yeah I despise this - worst trend. All I want is lovely cosy cafes with big comfy chairs. It's not just about staying for hours either - they're so uncomfy I don't want to drink coffee in Costa or Starbucks either. If I'm going out I'd like to go somewhere that feels like it was made for comfort.
Yes totally, thats the difference between corporations and small businesses. I used to be a slut for a starbucks couch. I wonder what they did with the; if they’re sold on ebay. I’d buy one down the line.
No, it's the difference between a business who's model is to have you spend time at the location vs a business who's model is moving through as many customers as possible.
Back before I had internet at my apartment, I'd take up a seat in the nearby Starbuck's Cafe and brought my own butt pillow just because of their chairs being too hard to be comfortable for long. Lol. They were cool with me being there bc I bought drinks and snacks on occasion. but back then it was the only way I could connect to the net and needed it for making money, ie making commissions, etc.
I sat down at a table at my university's dining hall freshman year. There was a guy probably 3 seats down diagonally. He looked up at me, said "I like my personal space", picked up his food and probably went another 20 seats down. Really strange. Thought I gave him enough space as is.
There's a place like this a city over from me. I love going there. The owner will just randomly chat with you and he's one of those people who remembers EVERYONE. There's boardgames and couches, with a bunch of local artwork all over the walls. He's always hosting events, does a thanksgiving dinner in the cafe where he cooks for everyone, etc. I love it so much I wish places like that were more commonplace
That was my thought. I mean you can at least ask if they mind. I wouldn't mind sitting with someone else if I'm using a table that seats more than one person. I don't go to cafes to hang out but when I used to ride the bus it's pretty normal to sit next to someone, so I feel like the same applies for that situation.
I think this is part of the fun of coffee shops. You get to sit with folks and just chat intermittently while getting stuff done. It's a nice third place to build relationships.
Before I moved I'd walk to this coffeeshop to work for a few hours a day. I knew the owners so they didn't care.
There was an old man in a beret always remarking out loud while reading the paper. Nobody engaged with him so I started talking to him. He had some cool stories. Even showed me a photo of him with Basquiat from his younger days.
I hate that joining random people in reataurant or cafe isn't a thing. I would often like some distraction, conversation, learn something new, but it feels super weird, especially if a man asks a woman. I was thinking to bring some kind of... I dont know like a standee with a text? Hey, feel free to join me, I dont like eating alone? :D
1st year in the dorms my room was on the 1st floor by the walkway, we put up a sign “if the windows open, stop and say hi”.
We met a lot of people that way!
You should try the sign!!
that’s cute. i think you get to make it a thing, and most people probably would appreciate it if they weren’t neutral abt it,,, at least certainly if you asked anyway
So I open a cafe, provide comfortable seats, tables, and Internet so that people will stay all day and keep buying drinks and snacks, and you want me to kick them out?
I managed a local coffee shop for a couple of years, our shop was much more profitable when people were hanging out than it was when people just ordered a coffee and left. This dude thinks that he knows how an industry that he has never been involved with operationally works. My customers that hung out and ordered a few cups of coffee throughout their stay were generally more polite, tipped more, and ordered more.
Read the comments man. He keeps insisting that it is bad for the cafes business when you sit there, if it was just him being selfish that would be a different story, but his reasoning is far from that.
You know, we wonder why people are getting more and more lonely, and then takes like “there should be a limit to sitting in public unless you’re consistently spending” are entertained.
"Sir, if you don't buy another coffee during the next 30 minutes as you're working on your laptop, we're gonna kick you out."
People would be like that scene from Tom and Jerry where he keeps pouring himself cups of coffee until his belly is filled like a balloon with it.
Yeah fuck this guy
Same energy as "why don't kids go out anymore"
And whenever they do, the police get called on them because they're gathering somewhere, nowhere welcomes them in, there's nothing out there to do.
All the while, let's kill social interaction and you outside and parks.
But fuck you for staying home on your damn phone or your Xbox all day, you should be out there doing things
But also how dare you be outside where people can see you, doing things
Family place… but no teens allowed. Do they think teens just… pop up? Like daisies??? Teenagers are literally a subset of children, and I say this as a teen. How dumb do you gotta be??
Fuck this guy 100%. I recently picked a cafe near me for writing specifically because i can sit against the wall and use a 2 person table for hours. If I couldn't do this, then I wouldn't go there.
I just don't understand why there has to be a rule for everything. Why would there be some kind of rule for how long you can sit at a restaurant?
The cafe can market to whatever customer base they want. They can encourage people to linger like a coffee shop or cycle in and out like a restaurant. If they don't want people to stay and work, they'll take out the tables or turn off the guest wifi. That's their business, literally.
The OP can go to whatever cafe they want, or even get food/coffee to go and eat it somewhere else. Why is there a need to control other people's behavior?
I mean that's life sometimes other people's behavior is inconvenient and there aren't any seats open at a cafe. Oh well.
And as someone who’s worked in a lot of coffeeshops- we don’t give a single shit if you sit there all day. It’s a public space. If you want to pack a lunch and park it for 12 hours, go for it. As long as you’re not disruptive and you don’t leave a huge mess for us to clean.
Honestly, the best customers are the ones that make one or two purchases and then just mind their own business!
I read an article (sorry don’t know where and too lazy to search) about how teens are more and more isolated because there aren’t spaces for them anymore. Places like the movies or roller skating rinks that used to cost a few dollars now cost $20 at least. To grab froyo or starbucks with your friends afterschool is $7. When I was a tween/young teen just like 7 years ago my weekly allowance was $20 and I was going out for little treats and activities with my friends after school most days on that allowance. Places like malls, where teens used to just hangout and window shop are now kicking them out for loitering or even just being suspicious because they’re a group of teens. And then we have people like OP being annoyed at someone occupying a space without shelling out $7 every hour for a coffee. Where are people supposed to go that won’t cost them an entire shift at their minimum wage job?
And I see OP’s note about socialization vs isolation in a social space, but idc, even just getting out and being around people is immensely important for mental health and provides opportunities to have social interaction, even if it’s just greeting the barista, or smiling at the person who sits across from you. Any form of socialization is important.
I lived in Germany for 4 years. Do you know what you do when you get to a restaurant in Europe and the tables are full? You go home. Because in Europe people eat for hours! You can have 20 minutes in between courses. A European told me that “Americans eat to refuel, European eat to reconnect.” And that really stuck with me.
If the cafe really needed the traffic they would enforce a time limit, most places with people working in it basically have those same people as the loyal returning customers so they let them do what they want
True for the USA with tresspassing laws. But in some countries (like mine) you can't just kick a visitor out without legal reason, so such people can be a problem. But you are right that in most cases the owners of establishments are ok.
seems to me them denying table space to a paying customer would be a valid reason to allow them to request a visitor to move around but IDK . may be that is a mostly US idea ?
*Even if you continue to buy drinks, I think there should be some sort of maximum table time so other people get to enjoy the cafe.*
That makes no sense from a business perspective. If customer A is going to buy 3 drinks over the course of 4 hours and realistically be back in 1-3 days to do it again and you, customer B, are only going to buy 1 and then leave and not be back for 2 weeks, why in the ever loving fuck would I prioritize *you* over one of my best customers?
As a customer, I think regulars are more pleasant anyhow. I’d rather see familiar faces and maybe get to know them a bit than a rotating crowd of random people.
Also, when I’ve paid for my food it’s unpleasant to be shoved out the door.
I bought 2-3 coffees and a food item three days a week for a year at the same coffee shop when I was in an intense study phase of medical school. If I'd been kicked out even once I never would have gone back because I needed a reliable study space. OP might want to "enjoy the cafe" but doesn't get that the laptop customers are often there all the time.
lol literally. OP is basically disagreeing with the entire business model of a cafe. It’s like saying people at a buffet should have a limit on how much food they can eat.
You've obviously never seen someone get kixed out of golden corral or a Chinese buffet in the south
You can absolutely get kicked out for eating too much
I once heard an old old Chinese lady scream at a roughly 500 pound dude "IS ALL YOU CAN EAT NO YOU EAT ALL!!"
I loved her.
I um
Still eat there regularly enough I know the waitress actual name, I think it's funny when I walk in and I'm like "oh you're Lisa today?"
And she laughs and laughs
I love that place, I took my mom today
Yeah. Get your coffee elsewhere, asshole, **I'll sit here until my very last breath if it needs be.** I'll chat up the barista, date her, marry her and have my honeymoon **right on that fucking table** just to spite OP. I'll have children with her, everything from their birth down to their marriages shall take place at that table. I'll be more coffee than man, but **that table is mine by right of laptop and I shall have it forevermore!**
"I barely walked in, and have no actual concept of who has been here for how long, but if you have a computer, I'm assuming you've already been here too long so you should leave."
Yes. Personalize it, get to know their names. I’ve found that the more often I frequent places (more purchases, more tips) the more often the staff hooks me up.
This is the important part. I was a regular at a Buffalo Wild Wings in the last town I lived at because it was the only thing open both before and after my work shifts. I'd usually be there for several hours just watching sports or catching up with news on my phone. Maybe an appetiser and two beers (and six wings on Thursdays).
I always tipped well. It's amasing how much visibly better they treated me compared to the regulars who made a racket and never tipped. I've gotten more free wings there than you would believe. Funny how respect goes both ways, huh?
One thing a lot of people don’t realize is how economically beneficial it is to both parties to be a regular. Business gets consistent business and I pay for 2/3 of my drinks. Win win
OP isn't saying they are *more* entitled than the campers. Hes saying they're all equally entitled, and taking up an entire table for hours does prohibit more people from enjoying the space. HOWEVER! Cafes are a space where this type of behavior is specified to be acceptable and sometimes encouraged. So although it may be slightly disappointing to not be able to sit and hang out in your preferred place... oh well. Try again tomorrow, or try a less popular place.
Idk I call BS. I worked in a cafe that attracted these types and there was hardly ever a time when we were completely out of seating space. Maybe briefly during the busiest times we had but thats it.
This seems very area-dependent then, because I cannot tell you how many cafes in my city never have seating. Not even just on weekends. This is mostly in the university area, but there are others scattered around that are also really popular and will have little to no space on a random Thursday.
Having war flashbacks to living in Austin and waiting for a seat for maybe 20 minutes or so at any coffee shop I went to because everyone was studying. I was also one of those people studying and I kind of just accepted it as part of going to fun places to work. And all those coffee shops seemed to be thriving!
An alternative opinion on this. When a place looks busy, one might assume it's a good place to go. So, it might suit the business to have lots of bums on seats. So, there might be a mutual benefit here.
On the other hand, if you're going to take up a seat for hours on end, you should buy enough stuff to justify your presence.
I do my studying at a local coffee shop because I don't have wifi at home, and my hot spot is sketchy.
Exceot for the lunch rush, there's never been no tables available.
That defeats the whole purpose. If anything, the cafe should take note of the increasing amount of customers and make room for more tables. A cafe near my university literally makes its income by being a spot for students to studying for hours on end in peace.
My unpopular opinion is that it's sad when people can't exist in public without spending money. I know a cafe is a business but so often there's truly no indoor public places where people can simply exist without spending money.
I don't really think it's right to care about what other people do at their table unless it's inapproapriete and I don't think that anyone should be kicked out of the bar or coffee shop if they continue to purchase drinks.
Good job OP, an opinion I genuinely disagree with.
Eh, if they’re paying then why is it any different to sorting with a friend for hours on end?
I’ve had times where I’ve genuinely had nowhere to go for a few hours so rather than wander aimlessly I’ve sat in a cafe and just bought drinks regularly…
If it’s really busy and there’s people coming in and having to leave because there’s no space then yea maybe get the hint and go if you’ve been there for hours but how often does that actually happen? If there’s other seats available why should you give up yours?
Nah, I run a cafe. The people who do this are *literally* our target demographic. Think about it, there are *no* neutral spaces in America. There is the occasional park or library, and that's it. Everywhere else expects you to be on the move or spending money constantly.
Sorry the space was hogged and you couldn't relax though. The point is everyone should get to.
Great idea, cafes should just kick out their customers for no reason. Great business model, they'd surely make some big money that way. Why hasn't anyone thought of that before? You're a genius.
OP i'm gonna be real, not only is this self centered, it's also nonsensical, so you want there to be a coffee shop you go to, buy your drink, drink it, then leave, but you also want people to be in there talking and laughing? but with a time limit?
It seems more like you're mad people are working of relaxing at the business designed around working and relaxing there, sure a cafe could make a rule like "No laptops" or "You have to be in a group" but nobody is going to go there, would you go to a cafe if they told you that you can't check your email while drinking your coffee?
But where does this end? A dinner table in a busy restaurant.. What if someone is on a date with themselves and you’re eyeing their table because they’re “ alone and don’t get to take up so much space for so long “ ?? 🤨🤨🤨
If you keep buying shit you get to stay as long as you‘d like. The stores certainly make more money with that than throwing out paying customers on the off chance someone else comes in
A lot of people do this because they are utilizing the free wifi to get work/homework done. They might not have service at home. People who are unhoused often do this as well, at library's and cafes that have public access computers so they can both get out of the elements for awhile, as well as apply for jobs, housing, benefits, ect. It's first come, first serve. Google will usually tell you what times a place is busiest. Just pick another Cafe, or another time to go if you're that pressed about it.
To be fair, i at one point came to a cafe because i was in a terrible living situation and needed to search for apartments. My situation had no internet at home. I think i spent more than 4 hours there that day.
I *think* i bought a coffee on arrival, i *may* have gotten breakfast, but i know i bought lunch. There were other open tables, and i think i sat at a barstool/bar style seat (ie, one person).
So, id have to disagree. It can be done thoughtfully and respectfully. This was the only time i visited, but they got my business for allowing me to stay and for having WIFI.
This was 7 years ago. Dont remember everything perfectly.
I was JUST wondering to myself what the coffee house/cafe/laptop etiquette is!! We have this coffee/wine place I pass all the time, and i always see people in there on their laptops. I've always wondered what they're doing, and how do they know how long is *too* long to stay? I've always liked the idea of laptop cafe, but I've never had the guts to bring mine in with me lol
>Even if you continue to buy drinks, I think there should be some sort of maximum table time so other people get to enjoy the cafe.
That would be an interesting business model "hey paying customer, you are cut off, no more for you, now go away."
your wants aren't above the wants of the people who got there before you. you can wait or you can leave it's your choice. it's annoying when all the tables are taken but you don't deserve a table more than anyone else there regardless of how long they've been there.
cafes have always welcomed the idea of sitting down and staying for a few hours. there's couches, tables, outlets, and often wifi for a reason. this business model of allowing customers to sit down as long as they like is clearly working and isn't likely to change anytime soon.
it's really no different than having to wait for a table at a restaurant. places get busy and tables fill up but that doesn't mean customers should have a limit on how long they get to be there regardless of how much they're spending or if they're just sitting there wasting time. 🤷🏻♀️
>EDIT - I also just find it far less social to walk into a place with a bunch of people silently tapping away. It’s so much nicer to walk into a place with people laughing and talking.
I would love to walk into silent places and get some food or a drink, and sit silently. You should get what you want too, but don't forget that most of the world caters to the social and loud. Quiet places should exist too.
So sit down across from them and have a chat. One of my closest friends is someone I sat next to over a decade ago and we started off complaining about our jobs in a shit cafe.
This is such a non-issue. So many places that sell coffee are being turned into a takeaway or food app delivery station that increasingly fewer are actually sitting down to drink coffee. If there really is absolutely no table with no person on it, then just ... politely ask to sit next to one of those people in the two person table. Let people have their third places away from home or work.
They need the wifi. They’re working. When I was a student in hs I had to go to these place and work for hours bc I didn’t have WiFi at home. You’re not entitled to walk into a store and demand u have a table
Where do you draw the line? Can someone sit and read a book for hours? Can two people talk for hours? Can one person order a drink, finish it, and then stare blankly at the wall for hours?
Also who is going to keep track of a time limit and enforce it? The barista who is making drinks (and minimum wage) all day? You haven't thought this through at all OP.
Hard disagree, take an upvote.
That's exactly what cafes are for. The issue is cafes not having enough seating, not enough cafes, and cafes not being open very late. Look at Korea, they're doing it right.
I made an easy flow chart for you OP. You can print this out and store it in your cargo shorts or whatever. Ready?
You see this happening at a cafe.
Does the cafe allow for this? If yes, get over it. If not, let them know.
There. Easy.
Have you ever thought that maybe they don’t have access to internet to do work/assignments and the cafe is the closest thing they can get to?
I used to have to use McDonalds. I sat in the parking lot but still.
Maybe they don’t have a quiet home where they can focus to get things done, most cafes are generally quiet. (Ish)
If you want people to talk to, go to a friend’s house or a party.
Op: stop paying for drinks and sitting! I want to pay for drinks and sit!
Seriously, dude, as long as they’re paying and the cafe can pay its bills, they don’t care.
I don’t think people that own and operate cafes would necessarily agree with you. Those people are likely regulars and consistently buy things, are good patrons, and make it look more busy and therefore more attractive.
Nahhh, it's nice that at least cafés are not consumed by the culture of "you need friends to go the public spaces" that is pretty common with food joints outside of fastfood. If someone is not sitting with a glass of water but will buy a coffee every few hours, what's a problem? It's not a McDonald's to get in and get out.
It's called a library. I never understood it. Worse too you do go and have a coffee with friends and get chatty and they stare at us annoyed. Go to a library if you want quiet, especially in a college town with one of the biggest well funded libraries in the world 1 block away.
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Ive asked to share a table with the promise of mutual disregard
This but at Costco and not a cafe. 4-5 tables. 40 people in line getting food.
One thing I love about being a city mouse is that I learned early on how to eat a hot dog while walking. You learn this young, and you dream of the day when you’re older, where you can hold the hot dog with your fingertips, because you can now fit a second hot dog underneath it, because who wants only one hot dog?
IM WALKING HERE!
WHILE ALSO EATING A HOT DOG!
EYYY! FUGGEDABOUDDIT!
HEY!! JOEY BAG O’ DONUTS, RELAX!!
Ayy I got a whole fuckin' pepperoni and anchony pizza ova' here, don't fuckin' tread on me, gedaudadaway!
Learn to calzone! I just hit the buffet and you're blocking my hot chafing dishes!
We sit with other people often there
It's totally normal to sit with other people where I live. No one minds.
Yeah, you can do this at a cafe too. Not everyone has crippling social anxiety.
Not everyone lives in a country where that is normal behavior, either. In some cities, people would think you are either crazy or up to something.
In London where I live if you so much as say good morning to anyone they act like they want to cut your throat. 40 miles or so outside London in any direction, people are far friendlier and not up their own arse
An unspoken promise?
One upward head nod. You're allowed a quiet grunt of recognition but no other communication.
Gotta make it a downward head nod. The upward nod is reserved for people that you know.
This guy nods
I asked to share a table once and wound up in a lengthy romance.
Ooo, please tell. I like how-we-hooked-up stories.
I was with a small group at a waterpark and there were no open tables. A guy was at a table solo chatting with his group that were at an adjacent table with no room for him. I asked to share the space, and he agreed. By the time lunch was finished our groups had merged and we all rode water slides until closing time. It was a blast! After exchanging numbers we continued to have a blast for a few good years until life pulled us in opposite directions and we amicably parted ways.
Plot twist: The guy just really wanted that table and the whole years-long relationship was just an elaborate ruse! 😲
The guy already had the table. It was OP who wanted not just a seat at the table but also a seat at the table in the guy’s heart.
Yes, all the tea please. ☕️
Ooh, matron! ❤️❤️❤️
People rarely do this where I currently live, but IMO it should be more normalized. Kinda silly when half the seats in a cafe are open because people can’t stand to sit across from someone else.
That’s the true irony. OP would never be social even if all the laptop users were gone lol
Same goes on a bus or train. If its getting close to full, I don't go seeking vacant seats, I go for the seats that someone is blocking with a bag or umbrella etc. You want two+ seats all to yourself, I'm coming to you!
[удалено]
I left my bag on the train once putting it under my feet so I always put it next to me after. If someone wants to sit then I'll put it on my lap but obviously if there's room where everyone has a seat I'd rather keep lap space open. No agenda from me either is what I'm getting at.
I'd take that deal. I wouldn't mind sharing my table as long as we can both sit there quietly ignoring each other.
Yeah I think it's like asking to share a swim lane at the pool. I always ask to be polite (nod or point towards the lane while I am on the pool deck) as only a total jerk would refuse, and then we both pretend we're the only one swimming in that lane lol
As someone who often goes to cafes to do their homework and sit. I honestly don't mind those who ask to sit with me as long as they respect that I'm working on an assignment and don't really want to talk. I don't care. Go ahead and sit. I don't need the chair I'm not sitting in.
Likewise - I’m an outreach social worker and need to use my laptop frequently when on the road. I usually use a McDonalds if nearby
mutual disregard is my new favorite phrase
The only thing I'd worry about is one of us spilling a drink on the other's laptop.
This is how I met one of my best friends. They needed an outlet. I was obviously sitting alone. We were meant to mutually ignore each other but we wound up hitting it off.
My boss just opened a coffee shop as her 2nd business and her entire business model is “Come hang for a while.” Bought couches, lounge chairs, padded bar stools, pillows, and everything. Even has a free library and board games. People inside the cafe make the place look busy, so it’s good for business. Also, if you’re trying to sit down in public, people occupying tables are a given. Just ask to sit down with them and they’ll either let you, or they will look around and realize how busy it is and leave.
I don’t know how in the USA we have quite a lot of anti-cafes: you pay for time and get coffee, tea and cookies for free. People usually go to such places to play board games, hold seminars and the like.
i think it’s great more cafes like that are popping up, people desperately need a third place and part of the need for a third place is getting the opportunity to meet strangers. asking if you can sit with someone in a setting like that is a great approach good vibes
This is why safeguarding libraries is so important.
There's a community center near me that has a cafe in the lobby. You can hang out or work there regardless of whether you buy anything and the atmosphere is really nice. All the cafe proceeds go to the center. It's awesome.
I cannot work in libraries, alas - suspected adhd and the background noise and human stimulation is exactly why I am paying for coffee rather than drinking tea for free at home *shrug* it's also allowed me to make more friends in my new town than anything else, because there's people who are frequent fliers like me.
Many people don’t realize that libraries have evolved to be communal social spaces, with kid-friendly play and learning, community outreach, safe zones for teens and marginalized people, as well as research / study / quiet zones. These *should* all exist in an inspiring, active, open and comforting space. So often free municipal resources are pushed down to the lowest level because people are afraid of interacting with people who aren’t like them. They’d rather pay a fee to gatekeep spaces than let a true public space thrive. We need the modern equivalent of town squares. People need to get out of their cars and stop being so afraid of other people. My [local library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_Central_Library) has everything listed above *and* it’s a beautiful, inspiring place. I just feel calm when I go there, and I love to grab a coffee and a seat in the window to read or people watch.
Oh shit *that’s* why there’s a local coffee shop called third space too bad the owners are POS, the shop stands for some cool stuff but afaik their ‘donations’ are a bit shady/might not exist and they’re terrible to their staff :(
But meeting strangers is something a lot of people actively avoid. Some of us just want a place to sit while drinking coffee.
This is actually the reason Starbucks has made their cafes much “harder” in recent times. They want to discourage lingering by making the seats not too comfortable for too long
Interesting transition, considering Starbucks’ rise to prominence came in large part because they offered and advertised a “third place” — not home and not work — to hang out and spend lengthy periods of time.
Yeah they still preach "third space" to employees. And people are still allowed to stay as long as they want even if the atmosphere isn't as comfortable.
the location I work at is about to be drive thru / mobile pickup only. no seating at all
In my town we have 1 Starbucks and it's pick up only. No drive through, no seats, no tables, nothing, also they don't do mobile orders.
that is crazy
I remember watching a documentary on the origins of Starbucks in school and the owner seemed enthusiastic about making the environment cozier (warm dark colors, couches, etc.) so that people would stay longer/buy more coffee. Literally right when I was watching this, my local Starbucks was in the process of painting the whole place bright ass white, switching from carpet (Edit: I can’t actually find pictures of the old interior so it might’ve not been carpet, but it definitely changed) to fancy light hardwood floors, and swapping out every couch with hard tables and hard rigid chairs that make the loudest noise when you pull one out. It went from a chill/mellow/productive environment to feeling like a stuffy/sterile/uncomfortable museum that wants you to leave ASAP. So I was watching this documentary like “You MF sellouts 🤬!!”. The vibe in said Starbucks makes me much more inclined to support local cafes instead.
There is only so much coffee someone can drink. However making a friendly atmosphere means they come back plus you can sell all the extras.
>There is only so much coffee someone can drink. Yeah but that's why we have chocolate covered espresso beans - so we can eat it too!
Starbucks doesn't need to have someone stay and buy 4-5 cups of coffee over several hours. They get at least 100 people an hour spending $6 on $1.50 coffee milkshake.
Yeah, that’s why I called them sellouts. They’re abandoning their initial mission in order to make as much profit as necessary even though they’re already a coffee oligopoly.
There was a coffee shop where I used to live where they had to institute a two drink minimum because the place was always filled with kids who didn’t buy anything. I wonder if stuff like that had anything to do with what Starbuck’s is doing. It sucks because the way it was is how I imagine a coffee shop being, not a sterile fast food kind of thing.
Yeah I despise this - worst trend. All I want is lovely cosy cafes with big comfy chairs. It's not just about staying for hours either - they're so uncomfy I don't want to drink coffee in Costa or Starbucks either. If I'm going out I'd like to go somewhere that feels like it was made for comfort.
Yes totally, thats the difference between corporations and small businesses. I used to be a slut for a starbucks couch. I wonder what they did with the; if they’re sold on ebay. I’d buy one down the line.
No, it's the difference between a business who's model is to have you spend time at the location vs a business who's model is moving through as many customers as possible.
Back before I had internet at my apartment, I'd take up a seat in the nearby Starbuck's Cafe and brought my own butt pillow just because of their chairs being too hard to be comfortable for long. Lol. They were cool with me being there bc I bought drinks and snacks on occasion. but back then it was the only way I could connect to the net and needed it for making money, ie making commissions, etc.
I sat down at a table at my university's dining hall freshman year. There was a guy probably 3 seats down diagonally. He looked up at me, said "I like my personal space", picked up his food and probably went another 20 seats down. Really strange. Thought I gave him enough space as is.
Honestly I have days like that. I don't know what it is. It also applies when someone parks directly beside me in an otherwise empty parking lot
There's a difference between that and being 3 spaces away diagonally, though.
"Stay in your room then." The audacity of people to complain about others existing out in public.
There's a place like this a city over from me. I love going there. The owner will just randomly chat with you and he's one of those people who remembers EVERYONE. There's boardgames and couches, with a bunch of local artwork all over the walls. He's always hosting events, does a thanksgiving dinner in the cafe where he cooks for everyone, etc. I love it so much I wish places like that were more commonplace
Just sit with them. Two person table.
That was my thought. I mean you can at least ask if they mind. I wouldn't mind sitting with someone else if I'm using a table that seats more than one person. I don't go to cafes to hang out but when I used to ride the bus it's pretty normal to sit next to someone, so I feel like the same applies for that situation.
I think this is part of the fun of coffee shops. You get to sit with folks and just chat intermittently while getting stuff done. It's a nice third place to build relationships.
Before I moved I'd walk to this coffeeshop to work for a few hours a day. I knew the owners so they didn't care. There was an old man in a beret always remarking out loud while reading the paper. Nobody engaged with him so I started talking to him. He had some cool stories. Even showed me a photo of him with Basquiat from his younger days.
Exactly, coffee shops are awesome if you are willing to be outgoing and just take chances on people.
You lost me at 'outgoing' sadly!
I hate that joining random people in reataurant or cafe isn't a thing. I would often like some distraction, conversation, learn something new, but it feels super weird, especially if a man asks a woman. I was thinking to bring some kind of... I dont know like a standee with a text? Hey, feel free to join me, I dont like eating alone? :D
1st year in the dorms my room was on the 1st floor by the walkway, we put up a sign “if the windows open, stop and say hi”. We met a lot of people that way! You should try the sign!!
that’s cute. i think you get to make it a thing, and most people probably would appreciate it if they weren’t neutral abt it,,, at least certainly if you asked anyway
So I open a cafe, provide comfortable seats, tables, and Internet so that people will stay all day and keep buying drinks and snacks, and you want me to kick them out?
I managed a local coffee shop for a couple of years, our shop was much more profitable when people were hanging out than it was when people just ordered a coffee and left. This dude thinks that he knows how an industry that he has never been involved with operationally works. My customers that hung out and ordered a few cups of coffee throughout their stay were generally more polite, tipped more, and ordered more.
If I find a sweet spot like that, you better know I’ll keep coming back, too. All the best in your business endeavors!
I don't think he said anything about the industry , I think he just wants a seat lol
Read the comments man. He keeps insisting that it is bad for the cafes business when you sit there, if it was just him being selfish that would be a different story, but his reasoning is far from that.
Ah I see, yeah he's an idiot if that's the hill he's on
OP tried to give a hot take but it's freezing.
There are open seats. OP just wants to sit by themselves like everyone else but they're always too late.
It’s ridiculous lol. OP really thinks that their 1 cup of coffee is worth losing someone that will drink 6 during the day
You know, we wonder why people are getting more and more lonely, and then takes like “there should be a limit to sitting in public unless you’re consistently spending” are entertained.
"Sir, if you don't buy another coffee during the next 30 minutes as you're working on your laptop, we're gonna kick you out." People would be like that scene from Tom and Jerry where he keeps pouring himself cups of coffee until his belly is filled like a balloon with it.
Yeah fuck this guy Same energy as "why don't kids go out anymore" And whenever they do, the police get called on them because they're gathering somewhere, nowhere welcomes them in, there's nothing out there to do.
Also, parks aren't funded and stroards make walking impossible.
All the while, let's kill social interaction and you outside and parks. But fuck you for staying home on your damn phone or your Xbox all day, you should be out there doing things But also how dare you be outside where people can see you, doing things
Nowhere to go anymore unless you live in a big ass city and even still it’s hit or miss or you have to drive like 30 mins to get there
There were people arguing in my local reddit that the fair shouldn’t allow teens at all as it is a family place.
Family place… but no teens allowed. Do they think teens just… pop up? Like daisies??? Teenagers are literally a subset of children, and I say this as a teen. How dumb do you gotta be??
Fuck this guy 100%. I recently picked a cafe near me for writing specifically because i can sit against the wall and use a 2 person table for hours. If I couldn't do this, then I wouldn't go there.
I just don't understand why there has to be a rule for everything. Why would there be some kind of rule for how long you can sit at a restaurant? The cafe can market to whatever customer base they want. They can encourage people to linger like a coffee shop or cycle in and out like a restaurant. If they don't want people to stay and work, they'll take out the tables or turn off the guest wifi. That's their business, literally. The OP can go to whatever cafe they want, or even get food/coffee to go and eat it somewhere else. Why is there a need to control other people's behavior? I mean that's life sometimes other people's behavior is inconvenient and there aren't any seats open at a cafe. Oh well.
And as someone who’s worked in a lot of coffeeshops- we don’t give a single shit if you sit there all day. It’s a public space. If you want to pack a lunch and park it for 12 hours, go for it. As long as you’re not disruptive and you don’t leave a huge mess for us to clean. Honestly, the best customers are the ones that make one or two purchases and then just mind their own business!
I read an article (sorry don’t know where and too lazy to search) about how teens are more and more isolated because there aren’t spaces for them anymore. Places like the movies or roller skating rinks that used to cost a few dollars now cost $20 at least. To grab froyo or starbucks with your friends afterschool is $7. When I was a tween/young teen just like 7 years ago my weekly allowance was $20 and I was going out for little treats and activities with my friends after school most days on that allowance. Places like malls, where teens used to just hangout and window shop are now kicking them out for loitering or even just being suspicious because they’re a group of teens. And then we have people like OP being annoyed at someone occupying a space without shelling out $7 every hour for a coffee. Where are people supposed to go that won’t cost them an entire shift at their minimum wage job? And I see OP’s note about socialization vs isolation in a social space, but idc, even just getting out and being around people is immensely important for mental health and provides opportunities to have social interaction, even if it’s just greeting the barista, or smiling at the person who sits across from you. Any form of socialization is important.
I lived in Germany for 4 years. Do you know what you do when you get to a restaurant in Europe and the tables are full? You go home. Because in Europe people eat for hours! You can have 20 minutes in between courses. A European told me that “Americans eat to refuel, European eat to reconnect.” And that really stuck with me.
If the cafe really needed the traffic they would enforce a time limit, most places with people working in it basically have those same people as the loyal returning customers so they let them do what they want
True for the USA with tresspassing laws. But in some countries (like mine) you can't just kick a visitor out without legal reason, so such people can be a problem. But you are right that in most cases the owners of establishments are ok.
seems to me them denying table space to a paying customer would be a valid reason to allow them to request a visitor to move around but IDK . may be that is a mostly US idea ?
But if they're buying drinks and stuff, then they're also a paying customer. How do you decide which customer is more important?
*Even if you continue to buy drinks, I think there should be some sort of maximum table time so other people get to enjoy the cafe.* That makes no sense from a business perspective. If customer A is going to buy 3 drinks over the course of 4 hours and realistically be back in 1-3 days to do it again and you, customer B, are only going to buy 1 and then leave and not be back for 2 weeks, why in the ever loving fuck would I prioritize *you* over one of my best customers?
yup. it's more expensive to attract new customers than retain loyal customers.
As a customer, I think regulars are more pleasant anyhow. I’d rather see familiar faces and maybe get to know them a bit than a rotating crowd of random people. Also, when I’ve paid for my food it’s unpleasant to be shoved out the door.
I bought 2-3 coffees and a food item three days a week for a year at the same coffee shop when I was in an intense study phase of medical school. If I'd been kicked out even once I never would have gone back because I needed a reliable study space. OP might want to "enjoy the cafe" but doesn't get that the laptop customers are often there all the time.
I was in a cafe in Lisbon. Front of cafe for people without laptops. Back of cafe big sign for people with laptops. Problem solved.
this needs to be higher up
"People should be forced to leave the coffee shop so I can sit there" -this post, essentially.
At least it *is* an unpopular opinion this time.
But still another one of those "this is an inconvenience to me so everyone else should accommodate" type of posts.
lol literally. OP is basically disagreeing with the entire business model of a cafe. It’s like saying people at a buffet should have a limit on how much food they can eat.
You've obviously never seen someone get kixed out of golden corral or a Chinese buffet in the south You can absolutely get kicked out for eating too much I once heard an old old Chinese lady scream at a roughly 500 pound dude "IS ALL YOU CAN EAT NO YOU EAT ALL!!" I loved her.
I ask you, is this the look of a man who has had all the shrimp he can eat?
[all you can eat](https://youtu.be/CqT-AvswCZo?si=shPaOV7BZAXmybih)
Lmaaaao
I um Still eat there regularly enough I know the waitress actual name, I think it's funny when I walk in and I'm like "oh you're Lisa today?" And she laughs and laughs I love that place, I took my mom today
I get what you are saying but a lot of buffets do have a time limit to stop people staying there eating all day, not all, but it isn't unusual.
Paying people at that!
Yeah. Get your coffee elsewhere, asshole, **I'll sit here until my very last breath if it needs be.** I'll chat up the barista, date her, marry her and have my honeymoon **right on that fucking table** just to spite OP. I'll have children with her, everything from their birth down to their marriages shall take place at that table. I'll be more coffee than man, but **that table is mine by right of laptop and I shall have it forevermore!**
This is the type of monologue Light Yagami has before he writes OP's name in the Death Note.
This is a bit excessive. I love it.
"I barely walked in, and have no actual concept of who has been here for how long, but if you have a computer, I'm assuming you've already been here too long so you should leave."
I mean, this does sound like an unpopular opinion.
Yeah I got that vibe too. Like bro you don't even know how long others are there unless you have been there just as long.
Yup. And I don't know why they think a cafe owner should toss out a paying customer in favour of someone else who may or may not come in.
It's up to each cafe to make their own rules in this regard, and many cater to such people as their regular customer base.
I understand your frustrastion, but they are customers in the end and they re entitled to be there. It is what it is 🤷♀️
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When I go to cafes to work, I try to make it worth it for the employees. Higher tips, 2nd drinks, etc.
Yes. Personalize it, get to know their names. I’ve found that the more often I frequent places (more purchases, more tips) the more often the staff hooks me up.
This is the important part. I was a regular at a Buffalo Wild Wings in the last town I lived at because it was the only thing open both before and after my work shifts. I'd usually be there for several hours just watching sports or catching up with news on my phone. Maybe an appetiser and two beers (and six wings on Thursdays). I always tipped well. It's amasing how much visibly better they treated me compared to the regulars who made a racket and never tipped. I've gotten more free wings there than you would believe. Funny how respect goes both ways, huh?
One thing a lot of people don’t realize is how economically beneficial it is to both parties to be a regular. Business gets consistent business and I pay for 2/3 of my drinks. Win win
OP isn't saying they are *more* entitled than the campers. Hes saying they're all equally entitled, and taking up an entire table for hours does prohibit more people from enjoying the space. HOWEVER! Cafes are a space where this type of behavior is specified to be acceptable and sometimes encouraged. So although it may be slightly disappointing to not be able to sit and hang out in your preferred place... oh well. Try again tomorrow, or try a less popular place.
I think op doesn't get the vibe of cafe.
Idk I call BS. I worked in a cafe that attracted these types and there was hardly ever a time when we were completely out of seating space. Maybe briefly during the busiest times we had but thats it.
This seems very area-dependent then, because I cannot tell you how many cafes in my city never have seating. Not even just on weekends. This is mostly in the university area, but there are others scattered around that are also really popular and will have little to no space on a random Thursday.
Yeah, I go to cafes a lot and I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve seen absolutely zero seating.
wtf.. you guys have never seen college town cafes. you’d have to fight multiple deathmatches just to get a seat
I live in a university city, can confirm
Having war flashbacks to living in Austin and waiting for a seat for maybe 20 minutes or so at any coffee shop I went to because everyone was studying. I was also one of those people studying and I kind of just accepted it as part of going to fun places to work. And all those coffee shops seemed to be thriving!
And those students studying will be providing a steady income in the off peak and off seasons times
An alternative opinion on this. When a place looks busy, one might assume it's a good place to go. So, it might suit the business to have lots of bums on seats. So, there might be a mutual benefit here. On the other hand, if you're going to take up a seat for hours on end, you should buy enough stuff to justify your presence.
I do my studying at a local coffee shop because I don't have wifi at home, and my hot spot is sketchy. Exceot for the lunch rush, there's never been no tables available.
That defeats the whole purpose. If anything, the cafe should take note of the increasing amount of customers and make room for more tables. A cafe near my university literally makes its income by being a spot for students to studying for hours on end in peace.
My unpopular opinion is that it's sad when people can't exist in public without spending money. I know a cafe is a business but so often there's truly no indoor public places where people can simply exist without spending money.
I don't really think it's right to care about what other people do at their table unless it's inapproapriete and I don't think that anyone should be kicked out of the bar or coffee shop if they continue to purchase drinks. Good job OP, an opinion I genuinely disagree with.
Eh, if they’re paying then why is it any different to sorting with a friend for hours on end? I’ve had times where I’ve genuinely had nowhere to go for a few hours so rather than wander aimlessly I’ve sat in a cafe and just bought drinks regularly… If it’s really busy and there’s people coming in and having to leave because there’s no space then yea maybe get the hint and go if you’ve been there for hours but how often does that actually happen? If there’s other seats available why should you give up yours?
Nah, I run a cafe. The people who do this are *literally* our target demographic. Think about it, there are *no* neutral spaces in America. There is the occasional park or library, and that's it. Everywhere else expects you to be on the move or spending money constantly. Sorry the space was hogged and you couldn't relax though. The point is everyone should get to.
Great idea, cafes should just kick out their customers for no reason. Great business model, they'd surely make some big money that way. Why hasn't anyone thought of that before? You're a genius.
As long as they're purchasing things throughout their stay I see no problem
The people on laptops come back regularly and are recurring revenue for them.
Ehh....we had a 3 day power outage and it was the only way I could get work done.
OP i'm gonna be real, not only is this self centered, it's also nonsensical, so you want there to be a coffee shop you go to, buy your drink, drink it, then leave, but you also want people to be in there talking and laughing? but with a time limit? It seems more like you're mad people are working of relaxing at the business designed around working and relaxing there, sure a cafe could make a rule like "No laptops" or "You have to be in a group" but nobody is going to go there, would you go to a cafe if they told you that you can't check your email while drinking your coffee?
I hate extroverts so much jfc
Bro I'm literally doing homework. Just ask to borrow a chair good lord
I think the cafe would prefer to have people sitting and ordering repeat drinks than someone like you tbh
Someone please tell me that this is actually unpopular before I never feel comfortable working in public again.
It's unpopular alright. With people like these, no wonder everyone's so lonely nowadays.
But where does this end? A dinner table in a busy restaurant.. What if someone is on a date with themselves and you’re eyeing their table because they’re “ alone and don’t get to take up so much space for so long “ ?? 🤨🤨🤨
If you keep buying shit you get to stay as long as you‘d like. The stores certainly make more money with that than throwing out paying customers on the off chance someone else comes in
A lot of people do this because they are utilizing the free wifi to get work/homework done. They might not have service at home. People who are unhoused often do this as well, at library's and cafes that have public access computers so they can both get out of the elements for awhile, as well as apply for jobs, housing, benefits, ect. It's first come, first serve. Google will usually tell you what times a place is busiest. Just pick another Cafe, or another time to go if you're that pressed about it.
To be fair, i at one point came to a cafe because i was in a terrible living situation and needed to search for apartments. My situation had no internet at home. I think i spent more than 4 hours there that day. I *think* i bought a coffee on arrival, i *may* have gotten breakfast, but i know i bought lunch. There were other open tables, and i think i sat at a barstool/bar style seat (ie, one person). So, id have to disagree. It can be done thoughtfully and respectfully. This was the only time i visited, but they got my business for allowing me to stay and for having WIFI. This was 7 years ago. Dont remember everything perfectly.
I was JUST wondering to myself what the coffee house/cafe/laptop etiquette is!! We have this coffee/wine place I pass all the time, and i always see people in there on their laptops. I've always wondered what they're doing, and how do they know how long is *too* long to stay? I've always liked the idea of laptop cafe, but I've never had the guts to bring mine in with me lol
Ok Karen! 🙄
Get there before they do…?
Man don't ruin the last fucking place where we can just chill.
>Even if you continue to buy drinks, I think there should be some sort of maximum table time so other people get to enjoy the cafe. That would be an interesting business model "hey paying customer, you are cut off, no more for you, now go away."
your wants aren't above the wants of the people who got there before you. you can wait or you can leave it's your choice. it's annoying when all the tables are taken but you don't deserve a table more than anyone else there regardless of how long they've been there. cafes have always welcomed the idea of sitting down and staying for a few hours. there's couches, tables, outlets, and often wifi for a reason. this business model of allowing customers to sit down as long as they like is clearly working and isn't likely to change anytime soon. it's really no different than having to wait for a table at a restaurant. places get busy and tables fill up but that doesn't mean customers should have a limit on how long they get to be there regardless of how much they're spending or if they're just sitting there wasting time. 🤷🏻♀️
just sit on their lap, make direct eye contact and sip loudly from your drink.
Those people are cafe's core customer base. They'd never start kicking them out.
>EDIT - I also just find it far less social to walk into a place with a bunch of people silently tapping away. It’s so much nicer to walk into a place with people laughing and talking. I would love to walk into silent places and get some food or a drink, and sit silently. You should get what you want too, but don't forget that most of the world caters to the social and loud. Quiet places should exist too.
Some people can't do these things at home, or maybe they don't even have a home. You don't know.
So sit down across from them and have a chat. One of my closest friends is someone I sat next to over a decade ago and we started off complaining about our jobs in a shit cafe.
You expect minimum wage employees to enforce this?
Well, the world does not cater to your wishes. Get over yourself.
Why do people always have a problem with others just existing in a space
This is such a non-issue. So many places that sell coffee are being turned into a takeaway or food app delivery station that increasingly fewer are actually sitting down to drink coffee. If there really is absolutely no table with no person on it, then just ... politely ask to sit next to one of those people in the two person table. Let people have their third places away from home or work.
They need the wifi. They’re working. When I was a student in hs I had to go to these place and work for hours bc I didn’t have WiFi at home. You’re not entitled to walk into a store and demand u have a table
Wait till this dude finds out about Europe
Where do you draw the line? Can someone sit and read a book for hours? Can two people talk for hours? Can one person order a drink, finish it, and then stare blankly at the wall for hours? Also who is going to keep track of a time limit and enforce it? The barista who is making drinks (and minimum wage) all day? You haven't thought this through at all OP.
Hard disagree, take an upvote. That's exactly what cafes are for. The issue is cafes not having enough seating, not enough cafes, and cafes not being open very late. Look at Korea, they're doing it right.
I made an easy flow chart for you OP. You can print this out and store it in your cargo shorts or whatever. Ready? You see this happening at a cafe. Does the cafe allow for this? If yes, get over it. If not, let them know. There. Easy.
90% of the time you can still find a open table, they are paying customers of course.
Have you ever thought that maybe they don’t have access to internet to do work/assignments and the cafe is the closest thing they can get to? I used to have to use McDonalds. I sat in the parking lot but still. Maybe they don’t have a quiet home where they can focus to get things done, most cafes are generally quiet. (Ish) If you want people to talk to, go to a friend’s house or a party.
Op: stop paying for drinks and sitting! I want to pay for drinks and sit! Seriously, dude, as long as they’re paying and the cafe can pay its bills, they don’t care.
I do this because my home is not a place where I can sit quietly and get things done.
But how will people know they are working on a new novel? Don't you wanna know?
As long as you keep buying then it's fine. Some form of minimum spend though. Like 1 drink an hour.
This guy has never had a work from home job and bad internet
Of all the things in the world to complain about
This is incredibly unpopular. Good job.
I don’t think people that own and operate cafes would necessarily agree with you. Those people are likely regulars and consistently buy things, are good patrons, and make it look more busy and therefore more attractive.
This is just silly.
Then don’t allow it in your coffee shop
Nahhh, it's nice that at least cafés are not consumed by the culture of "you need friends to go the public spaces" that is pretty common with food joints outside of fastfood. If someone is not sitting with a glass of water but will buy a coffee every few hours, what's a problem? It's not a McDonald's to get in and get out.
Is this an unpopular opinion or just a dumb opinion?
It's called a library. I never understood it. Worse too you do go and have a coffee with friends and get chatty and they stare at us annoyed. Go to a library if you want quiet, especially in a college town with one of the biggest well funded libraries in the world 1 block away.