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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take my laptop to starbucks

50 replies

lots2doooo · 31/03/2018 08:29

I have a lot of work to do.

I need WiFi

Would it be unreasonable to occupy a seat in Starbucks for most of the day?

OP posts:
espoleta · 31/03/2018 08:29

No. Loads of people do it!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 31/03/2018 08:37

That's why they have those long tables!

If you go in enough you'll see people being interviewed in there too.

All sorts of business takes place, lots of small businesses who don't have a proper office use them for all sorts of work.

Enjoy.

peachypetite · 31/03/2018 08:38

Just buy a few drinks and it's fine

Amaried · 31/03/2018 08:39

As long as there is enough seats for paying customers, have at it

mumonashoestring · 31/03/2018 08:40

As long as you keep up a steady stream of orders then it's fine (and obviously don't be one of those CF types that buys cheaper supermarket food to eat in there Grin ). Oh, and don't sit at a family sized table and give filthy looks to anyone who tries to share the table because there's nowhere else to sit.

iveburntthetoast · 31/03/2018 08:40

YANBU, providing you don’t sit there for hours with a single coffee.

I spend a lot of time working/writing in coffee shops. It can get expensive as I feel I should buy something every 1-1.5 hours to justify me staying. I see it as a ‘rental’ cost for a work space. Some places are set up to appeal to people working (especially ones with sockets all over).

Can you concentrate in a noisy environment? I have Bose headphones to listen to music + drown out the noise.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 31/03/2018 08:41

No it's fine - just be prepared to buy drinks. It used to be one every two hours or so; and then they were happy.

qazxc · 31/03/2018 08:43

Our Starbucks have table with plugs to charge your laptop, so they don't bat an eyelid when I do some coursework. I do buy coffees too though, it would be cf to occupy a space without being a customer.

IanRushesInadequateFlushes · 31/03/2018 08:43

m.youtube.com/watch?v=9KkUj4i-F6w

Impossible not to think of this!

Mogleflop · 31/03/2018 08:45

Do you have a local library that offers this? That would be better.

icelollycraving · 31/03/2018 08:48

I think it’s ok as long as you’re buying a drink/good frequently.
What happened to that cafe owner who had a bad review after someone ate their supermarket sandwiches?!

blueskyinmarch · 31/03/2018 08:58

I live in a university town. All the cafes and coffee shops are full of students with laptops working away for hours. No-one ever seems to mind.

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 31/03/2018 09:00

Why on earth wouldn't you?

Caulk · 31/03/2018 09:01

Why would you think it was unreasonable?

Buy some drinks, maybe food.

Fortybingowings · 31/03/2018 09:02

Not at all. I’m snowed under with work at the moment. Starbucks is round the corner and I take my laptop there several times a week while DH has kids for a few hours. If I was at home I’d have constant interruptions 🙈

BertrandRussell · 31/03/2018 09:03

My dd had a route round Edinburgh while she was writing her dissertation, her flat was freezing and the library made her anxious. Starting at Spoons for breakfast...........

Hilda40 · 31/03/2018 09:03

No one should ever go to Starbucks - we all know that they don't pay appropriate amounts of tax in the UK. Find a nice independent

PlaymobilPirate · 31/03/2018 09:04

As long as you buy things regularly through the day it's fine. Buy a coffee at 9 and nurse it all day = not fine.

Vagndidit · 31/03/2018 09:07

DH is one of those at our local Starbucks. They put out the mug of filter coffee (free refill!) for him before he even hits the till, and know very well he's in for a long aftrrnoon. He's just one of many regulars in there. Same goes at Caffe Nero (my haunt!) ;)

Chopchopbusybusy · 31/03/2018 09:07

There is a new roadside Starbucks opened near me and it has a maximum stay of 1.5 hours in the car park. I know a few people who have got £100 fines for overstaying. So provided it’s not one of the roadside ones you should be ok.

poddige · 31/03/2018 09:09

@BertrandRussell I think me and your DD might just be the same person!

dancingthroughthedark · 31/03/2018 09:10

On a busy Easter Saturday I can't see you getting much work done in a café. Would you not be better at a library?

BertrandRussell · 31/03/2018 09:12

“No one should ever go to Starbucks - we all know that they don't pay appropriate amounts of tax in the UK. Find a nice independent”

If you’re just going for one coffee and WiFi then definitely Starbucks, not a nice independent!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 31/03/2018 09:17

Bertrand That is how I think of it!

I use the nice independents for lunch, pleasant leisure time, when I will be paying for the pleasure.

Costa and Starbucks when I will be nursing 1 coffee, using their electricity and wi fi for my business needs Smile

falsepriest · 31/03/2018 09:18

What’s wrong with your house? Free WiFi AND coffee.