to be annoyed at people being on their laptops forever in busy coffee places?

[olimpia]

Alright, this time I expect the flaming so won't be as shocked as last time!

I was in a very busy Pret today with very limited sitting and half of the tables where occupied by people working on laptops or doing their coursework leaving no-where for others to sit!
I'm not saying it's never ok to occupy a table in a coffee place but surely people should use their common sense and move on if there are people standing and waiting to sit down?

YANBU

People use it like an extension of their office or the library.

You know you are being unreasonable so I'll not bother explaining why.

Were they not having coffee whilst working?

I guess it's first come first served and stay for as long as they want (as long as they still have a coffee) but I know what you mean, it is annoying.

no I don't know I'm being unreasonable only thought that people would say that I am - and would flame - because I always seem to be disagreeing with the main stream opinions on MN...:(
Also fearing I've picked another sensitive topic without knowing!

YANBU, there are libraries for after you've had your coffee break where you can get free wi fi. Or maybe alternate between coffee shops & mcdonalds and other free wifi zones.

i get sick of ours being used as a mother and baby club, screaming yapping babies all over the place

Hahaha your guys are classy, our local wetherspoons is used as mum & baby.

Well it depends, coffe shops aren't really there for troughing your food and drink as fast as possible and getting out again. People alone on laptops may not be there any longer than people chatting with a companion. Why should being alone mean you have to eat/drink quicker?

I often use coffee shops for working when i'm between meetings in a different city (public libraries are harder to find, often involve some sort of 'registering' to use etc).

I read, a while back, that Starbucks, McDs, etc are starting to cut back on their shops with free wifi. People buy one coffee and stay for hours and it's too expensive for the retailer to sustain.

YABU

I work in a coffee shop, never get anyone come in with a laptop who doesn't spend the same money as anyone else. I'd much rather have them than the ladies out who buy one pot of tea between them and stay all day. (not that they bother me either tbh, everyones money is welcome on my shift)

I also do my work / coursework / hour long reading a book in coffee shops and love it. Why should I go to a library, I can't work in our local one, and I can't get essential cake.

As long as they don't get their laptops to go and bagsy a table for them from the back of the queue, I think it's ok.

It's not going to sustain a business buying one coffee and hogging tables for hours though is it? That's where you should be using the library or home if possible - or complaining to your employer if they won't provide you with wifi to do your job at home!

Fair enough if it's just that you are popping in for coffee and cake and doing a smidge of work while you're there and take normal time over it.

YABU - I think the first harry Potter was written in a cafe like this and where would we be without him -

YABU - as long as they are paying customers.

I am sure the place would rather a load of office bods with their lap tops (who go through coffee like no ones business) than a mother and toddler group who stay for hours and have like one cuppa every hour!

I think the thread needs to be changed to being annoyed by ANY groups / individuals hogging the seats in coffee shops for hours nursing one cup of coffee!

What really pisses me off is when groups come in and start to use it for a work meeting. They all talk louder than normal and the previously restful atmosphere is polluted with management-speak bollocks.

Top slicing, thinking outside the box to push this forward otherwise we need to park it.

So long as they are sat in a smallish table, so not occupying a table for 4 or whatever, and they are buying drinks/food as they work, I can't see the problem really. They have as much right to be there as anyone else.

My equivalent in a different office/same region often meet in Starbucks in the in between town, for a catch up meeting - away from the office (his or mine) and the "have you got a minutes....?" to actually get some work done. We buy a drink or something every 45 mins. This particular branch is in the middle of a the business district or a large city, I'd be surprised if it had many customers who were not there for work or a meeting or on their way there.

I think the thread needs to be changed to being annoyed by ANY groups / individuals hogging the seats in coffee shops for hours nursing one cup of coffee!

Yes, you're right!
I'm not saying, drink your coffee and get out but people should be sensible depending on how busy the place is.

YABU

If they're purchasing food & drinks from the edtablishment I don't see what the problem is?

I think YABU. As long as they have bought a drink they are entitled to be there.

somebloke123 - I'd much rather sit next to a business meeting that a group of mums with babies and toddlers haveing a social coffee!