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?

It's not appropriate to conduct business meetings or talk loudly/constantly in public spaces.

We had a sales meeting in Pizza Express last week...

If I'm having lunch with DH or one of my friends we tend to talk most of the time - I didn't know I was supposed to sit in silence...

You can always ask for your free coffee in a takeout cup and go elsewhere if you don't find that environment relaxing. No one forced you to go there.

Maybe they were Waitrose area managers/specialists/general managers convening in that store for a meeting. Used to happen a lot when I worked for Tesco. Often groups would turn up unannounced and the meeting room wasn't free for them to use.

Oh and YABU, no one likes a table casher.

Or simply move to another empty table when someone leaves?

Or is that not controversial enough

*table crasher

If they're holding a meeting in a public space, they have to accept it won't be confidential, and they should buy things to justify their continued use of the space. OP is also a customer (paid for food) and can sit in any free seat therefore. Why should she move? They've not paid rent on the table? Having said that you can't object to whatever their conversation is, however uncomfortable it makes you.

My conversation is scintillating. The tedious characters would be utterly charmed by it.

"NavyandWhite

I was in a Costa the other week where they were interviewing."

Wow. What a privilege.

So neither of you are using the cafe for its primary purpose - you chose I to feed your baby and they apparently chose it to have a meeting. And guess what - it doesn't matter! This is not something to get worked up about.

Buttery I suggested OP could move to an empty table when one becomes available because OP feels uncomfortable.

Of course, OP can continue to sit where she is and moan about feeling uncomfortable......

Wow, what a lot of angst! Confidentiality means nothing these days, more's the pity. We had lunch at the Wallace Collection last year and I was gobsmacked to realise that two men in suits sitting near us were having an appraisal meeting. Why would you do that in a packed cafe?

I do think it matters. For all these business people know, the other customers could be employees of rivals/suppliers/customers/banks who would know exactly what they were talking about. It's not unknown, is it?

People who sit and chat in a full cafe long after they have finished their food are rude and ignorant to the needs of others. I don't mean that that have to leave the second they are finished but as I see it the price of a coffee gives you short term rental of a table and chairs. The length of that term of rental depends on how busy that cafe is.

However that is true of all people, business meetings, couples, parent and baby groups..................

Hilarious stance-taking is much in evidence on this thread. Haha

"Wow, what a lot of angst! Confidentiality means nothing these days, more's the pity. We had lunch at the Wallace Collection last year and I was gobsmacked to realise that two men in suits sitting near us were having an appraisal meeting. Why would you do that in a packed cafe?

I do think it matters. For all these business people know, the other customers could be employees of rivals/suppliers/customers/banks who would know exactly what they were talking about. It's not unknown, is it?"

Exactly.

I find it surprising that OP's Waitrose let her into the cafe with just a free coffee. They generally don't. Maybe this entire post is made up to get DM to publish it?

oh gawd, the usual mn crap. people finding the OP rude and entitled for no reason - she had to sit somewhere!

I would have thought a cafe was a place for a private-ish chat rather than a voluble business meeting.

I liked your post OP.

Oh, and as for the idea that in a crowded cafe the people having the important business meeting should not have to share a table with others - get real! If there are no free tables the customer looking for a seat has every right to take a vacant seat at a table where others are already sitting. This is the flipside of being too mean/poor to pay for a meeting room/office space.

I often go to Ikea to work. They have a cheap drink bar and free wi-fi. Luckily im good at tuning out background kid noise. I work alone though and mid-week when its quieter.

"StripeyCover

oh gawd, the usual mn crap. people finding the OP rude and entitled for no reason - she had to sit somewhere!

I would have thought a cafe was a place for a private-ish chat rather than a voluble business meeting.

smile I liked your post OP."

Ain't that the truth! I liked the OP too. She has made a very good point.

Actually, apols to the Wallace Collection - it was actually the Wellcome Trust.

Gasp - a lot of managers hold appraisals in cafes as the atmosphere is more relaxed and informal. Its quite normal and can get a more effective result as the employee is generally more relaxed