Business meeting in Waitrose cafe

[whoneedswings]

I'm currently sat in Waitrose cafe enjoying my free coffee with my 6 month old (I find it useful to feed him here whilst we're out shopping.) It's very busy so I've plonked myself on a chair on the edge of someone's table. Done this many times, just finding a bit awkward today as these people are discussing private financial matters and conducting some sort of meeting. They don't even have any coffee or food (so I'm not rushing them) just feel maybe it's a bit U to be continuing their business in a very small busy cafe. Or is it me?

Youve crashed THEIR table and YOU feel

maybe it's a bit U to be continuing their business in a very small busy cafe

so - if you sat at my table, I wouldn't say you couldn't sit there... and they didn't either... you just want to dictate what can be discussed in your cafe?! So - if you crashed my table and said I was rude to carry on my conversation I'd suggest you DID find somewhere else to sit.

YAB totally U

Our Waitrose cafe is great for meetings. Lovely and quiet, easy access from outside the city, car park, can pick up your bits & pieces on the way home.

In our Waitrose you can only get the free coffee to take away unless you are purchasing food as well.
I don't think they were being u reasonable to talk about work in a cafe, no.

Evans, a lot of people's work set-ups don't include being able to hire hotel rooms or use offices. Another phenomenon!

witsender HOW did I miss these threads! Better than parking!

I think they should have had their meeting somewhere else. Not right to block tables in a public cafe like that. Just stay put and drink your coffee.

Agree with Navy. What should be all do, nurse a cold latte until a skin forms as some sort of terribly British 'right to sit down' badge!?!?

Oh and, OP, if you're the one joining a table where a conversation's already going on, you don't get to dictate that conversation.

From OP:

"...They don't even have any coffee or food..."

If they still haven't ordered, then they should get up and do so.

If they have finished and the table has been cleared, they should not be there. They are taking up a table and the OP has every right to have a table to herself. If they have finished, they should leave. Usually the staff leave the crockery and so on, for a reasonable length of time; if they remove it, they are basically implying your time there is up and other people may need a table.

Cafes are supposed to be pleasant relaxing zones. Listening to tedious suits boring everyone in the vicinity is not very relaxing.

Not right to block tables in a public cafe like that.

They ARE part of the public.

Waitrose Card members don't generally need to buy food or drink to use the cafe facilities for business - chances are the manager knew about this already. I'm always in my local waitrose cafe using wifi and conducting teleconference business & only needed to okay this with the manager the first time. However, people with free coffees aren't allowed to use the cafe unless they buy food there - and I think this policy is regional. So you might be the unreasonable one here.

You're entitled to sit there

They are entitled to sit there

Nothing to see here.......

"Olympiathequeen

I think they should have had their meeting somewhere else. Not right to block tables in a public cafe like that. Just stay put and drink your coffee."

This ^^

Its amazing how often I see business meetings in Waitrose cafe (and our local Nero), they get out folders of paperwork and their laptops and can sit there for an hour or more. I have a quick coffee then do my shopping in Waitrose and as I walk back past the cafe to the doors they are still there conducting the meeting. I've never thought it was wrong as such but maybe a bit odd? I'm guessing they have to be careful what they say!

Lots of people have meetings in cafes. Self employed people, public sector staff who are all hot desking and can't find anywhere to have a meeting. It is not unusual, although shouldn't happen if they are discussing things that are confidential. Although discussing budgets does not mean they are discussing confidential stuff.

Listening to tedious suits boring everyone in the vicinity is not very relaxing.

because discussions about leaking nappies, noisy neighbours, bad parking, trolls or lunch boxes, or free drinks at weddings are fascinating?

If there isn't any free tables, it's rude to stay after you have finished your food and drink. The tables are provided for paying customers to use and if others are waiting, their need is greater.

It's not appropriate to conduct business meetings or talk loudly/constantly in public spaces. It seems these days that there are far too many people who never shut up, it doesn't seem worth it trying to have a relaxing coffee when there are people yapping everywhere. You can't help but hear them.

If the people having the meeting had wanted to carry on, they should have moved on or bought more drinks. Or gone somewhere quieter with more space. Supermarket cafes are nearly always constantly rammed.

Waitrose only let you sit in their cafe and have a free coffe if you have paid for food too.

I frequently have meetings in pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants. I would be quite narked if someone parked themselves down in the middle of a discussion.

I don't have an office. I often meet people in cafes. I wouldn't discuss anything commercially or personally sensitive but i would have a business meeting.

I would pay for the coffee, soup whatever and maybe a Marlborough Bun

Cafes are supposed to be pleasant relaxing zones. Listening to tedious suits boring everyone in the vicinity is not very relaxing.

The 'tedious suits' would probably find your conversation boring!

If they have finished and the table has been cleared, they should not be there.

So they're supposed to rush off the minute the last morsel passes their lips? I actually like to sit for a moment and digest my food and drink thank you!

Oh blimey, I'm going to be judged tomorrow, aren't I? I'm meeting two friends that are in the same line of work as me. We'll have a nice lunch, chat about personal stuff and then end up discussing business, as usual. I wasn't aware there were conversation police about! 😮 I blame Brexit! 😉

YABVU.

I often have business meetings in cafes, and have had one in a Waitrose cafe too.

I am self-employed and work from home and it is often easier to meet people in a cafe than at my house, which would be weird. Also it can be a more convenient place to meet in a town centre especially if we are coming from different places.

And sometimes I have to have a meeting with someone else prior to a meeting at a 3rd party's office - which is nowhere near where either of us work, so we go to a cafe.

We would always buy a coffee/tea and try to be discreet about what we are discussing.

So you sat down at their table, which they were at first and you want them to amend their conversation for your benefit?

Think I'm actually done with this place.

Yabu (in case you didn't realise that's what I am implying)