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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How long is U to sit in Costa after finishing a drink?

23 replies

Shipley · 24/04/2019 11:46

Or keeping a dribble in the bottom! It's not packed there are spare seats...don't want to move yet but don't want to pay for another drink....

OP posts:
whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 24/04/2019 11:48

Half an hour? How long are you planning on staying? If its not full dont worry about it too much.

Persimmonn · 24/04/2019 11:51

As long as you want. Students sit in there for hours.

RiddleyW · 24/04/2019 11:51

If there are other seats, I’d say basically indefinitely

QueenOfTheTofuTree · 24/04/2019 11:51

If it's not busy I would stay as long as you want.

Whenever I get time to myself (rare these days!) I will often spend up to an hour in a coffee shop taking my time with my coffee and reading my kindle.

outpinked · 24/04/2019 11:53

As long as you want really but I always feel rude doing it.

goingonabearhunt1 · 24/04/2019 11:53

I don't think it matters if no-one is waiting for a seat/table.

SoHotADragonRetired · 24/04/2019 11:54

Unless tables are in hot demand, I'd say as long as you please. Starbucks and the other chain coffee shops have deliberately popularised themselves as a 'third space' between home and work where you can study, read, meet friends, and basically sit there all day as long as you have actually bought something first.

If the place is rammed and your seat is needed, I'd be a good citizen and move along within 15-20 minutes once you finish.

Teddybear45 · 24/04/2019 11:55

Stay as long as you want but if it were me I’d treat myself to another drink and maybe a slice of cake too

Original poster
Shipley · 24/04/2019 11:56

Thanks I was worried I'd be flamed! If it was very busy I wouldn't stay. I'm going to get myself moving now anyway, good to know for the future!!

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 24/04/2019 12:19

The reason everything is so expensive is because you are really paying for the time, not the drinks. So don't feel guilty ...

(I read a while back of one coffee shop that made this obvious by charging for time spent, and you could have as many drinks as you wanted .....)

DGRossetti · 24/04/2019 12:23

www.ziferblatuk.co.uk/

(Sadly not in Brum, but you get the idea ....)

EssentialHummus · 24/04/2019 12:24

I agree with others - if not busy, suit yourself.

DG it’s called Zefirblad (sp?) and remains in Shoreditch! I think they trialled a Brighton outpost too at one point.

EssentialHummus · 24/04/2019 12:24

Crosspost, great minds Wink.

InadvertentlyBrilliant · 24/04/2019 12:29

You aren't paying to sit there as long as you want even if you've spent £3.95 on a large cappuccino. That's taking the pee. I would say if you have finished your drink then 10 minutes max after finishing is long enough.
Either buy something else or leave. It isn't a public library or somewhere to shelter from the rain/heat. It doesn't matter if there are other seats available.

harper30 · 24/04/2019 12:42

It's definitely not taking the piss if it's not busy? If you've had a drink, there are other empty tables, it literally affects no one if you stay for a long time. Doesn't affect the staff, other customers, no one.
You stay as long as you like in future! If it actually was an issue someone would ask to have your table or something so you'd know if you were best moving on.
I know you're in Costa but I imagine as well that in smaller independent coffee shops especially they'd rather have a couple of tables occupied, particularly if it's quiet, to make it look more appealing to passers by. Nothing worse than a completely empty cafe or restaurant, super off putting for potential customers.

OurChristmasMiracle · 24/04/2019 12:43

I sat in Costa for about 45 mins on Monday night. Waiting for my partner to meet me from work (we were going to see a film) it was very quiet and I bought a coffee and sat in the corner quietly reading my book.

I’d only just finished my coffee about 5 mins before he arrived so I honestly don’t think I was unreasonable.

bettydavid1972 · 24/04/2019 12:49

Hi I work at Costa, we literally don’t care! If you’ve bought a drink, you can sit there as long as you won’t. Smile A lot of my regular customers buy one drink and spend an entire evening. You can always ask for a free milk baby chino if you want to look like you’re drinking something Grin

CynsterBitch · 24/04/2019 12:57

Sit as long as you want, regardless of it being busy.
I don’t get much time for myself so the few times I get a bit of me-time and go to a coffee shop/cafe etc I don’t feel like other people’s needs should trump my own

FredFlinstoneMadeOfBones · 24/04/2019 13:00

As long as there are empty seats I would say sit as long as you want. It's a bit cheeky if there are people waiting to sit and you've been nursing one coffee for two hours.

BackforGood · 24/04/2019 13:20

Totally disagree with Inadvertently
As long as there are spare tables, so you aren't preventing paying customers coming in, you can stay as long as you want. Indeed, a lot of people are more likely to go into a cafe where there are quite a few tables being used, than an empty one, so you could even argue you are encouraging trade Grin

Orangecake123 · 24/04/2019 13:45

I live in an area that has three three franchised coffee shops all in a small area, it's very popular because of all the students. I buy a drink and study there. As long as you buy something it's all good. When it's been packed I've had people ask to share my table. But I stay as long as I want.

BareBelliedSneetch · 24/04/2019 13:48

I was in Costa for two hours yesterday, with just one drink. Hadn’t even considered it might be an issue. There were plenty of spare tables.

Carriefrompreston · 24/04/2019 14:14

I agree with others also, if there are seats stay as long as you feel like.......

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