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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To remote work from a pub / bar / coffee shop

48 replies

Window1 · 15/07/2021 15:14

After nearly 18m of working from home I am keen for a change of scenery. Our offices are unlikely to reopen for at least another 6 months due to reconfiguration for the new world of working.

In the meantime, would it be unreasonable of me to spend a few hours a couple of times per week perched in the corner of a bar or coffee shop?

If so, what is the etiquette aside from buying something and not taking more space than needed?

I'm thinking of seeking out somewhere local either with a nice window view and/or comfy seating.

Is anyone else doing this already and where are you heading to?

OP posts:

ememem84 · 15/07/2021 18:08

[quote reannneeee]@WeAllHaveWings.

Sorry but that’s a bit ridiculous. In a coffee shop you expect tot hear other people’s conversations.[/quote]
True but work calls are a bit different. There would be confidentiality issues.

TheOnlyKoiInAPondOfGoldfish · 15/07/2021 18:11

I had a job where I WFH a lot - my choice whether or not I went into the office - certainly around London it was really common to see people working in places like the British library cafe.

If the cafe are happy to have you there then go for it. The reality is that people are more likely to come into a cafe if they see it being used.

TheOnlyKoiInAPondOfGoldfish · 15/07/2021 18:15

I've just looked up the AndCo organisation that Smuggler mentioned - what a great idea - would have definitely used it in my last job!

Stillcrikey · 15/07/2021 18:28

Between the two full lockdowns (or however many we’ve had) a pub local to me was offering a table / WiFi / as much tea and coffee as you could drink and a soup and sandwich lunch for £10 for the day.
I did it a few times when I knew I didn’t have teams meetings and it was lovely.

WeAllHaveWings · 15/07/2021 18:41

[quote reannneeee]@WeAllHaveWings.

Sorry but that’s a bit ridiculous. In a coffee shop you expect tot hear other people’s conversations.[/quote]
Big difference to the background noise of people having a face to face chat with a friend in a cafe and someone speaking constantly, usually louder than talking to someone in front of you, about work on a prolonged mobile or zoom call.

I wouldnt even have a 30min personal mobile call in a cafe as it not unusual for others to find intrusive. Maybe I am just considerate.

Biancadelrioisback · 15/07/2021 19:03

@Window1

Slightly surprised I half expected a fair chunk of people WFH during this time to confirm this is something they had been doing for ages and I was behind the curve.

I've been working remotely for nearly 2 years and do a few days a week in a co-working space

DameAlyson · 15/07/2021 21:11

it was really common to see people working in places like the British library cafe

Yes, I've noticed. When I've been visiting the BL to see an exhibition and there's been nowhere to sit to have a coffee because people are using the cafe for meetings or to work on their laptops.

TabithaTiger · 15/07/2021 21:35

I find it really annoying when people do this. Pre-pandemic, our local Costa was full of people taking up tables to work for hours on end. I think it's fine to do for up to an hour while you have a coffee/ snack, but no longer than that really.

Lipsandlashes · 15/07/2021 22:00

Do not take up a table for four. This happens all the time in our local Costa and it’s so selfish and unreasonable

StepladderToHeaven · 15/07/2021 22:04

My local Cafe Nero has an upstairs floor and it's full of people doing this (pre covid too). The downstairs seems unofficially set aside for "normal" customers. So I'd say look around and see what vibe you get. Avoid a place with limited seating.

amission · 15/07/2021 22:09

Don't scowl at people who dare to be there socialising (like the people 'working' on the top floor of our local coffee house)

Don't make long and/or loud work calls, it's intrusive and annoying and you will sound like a dick asking James to get the latest figures to you 'stat'.

Don't spread yourself out on the one big table with laptop, papers etc and crouch over it like a brooding spider

Just for starters..

Nohomemadecandles · 15/07/2021 22:12

Julia? Is that you?

reannneeee · 15/07/2021 22:15

@Nohomemadecandles.

Maybe it’s Amanda doing a reverse AIBU

Jumbojem · 15/07/2021 22:19

I think if it's more than a one off either look for places that positively encourage this or a co-working space. Locally we have a pub that welcomes home workers for the morning and up to just past lunch. Fixed price includes tea/coffee and a sandwich lunch. We also have a cafe run by a charity which welcomes home workers as it's a larger space and not for profit so they are happy for the custom (and work experience for the young adults with learning difficulties). I think both of these are more appropriate than our fairly small and busy local cafe.

HollowTalk · 15/07/2021 22:23

@Stillcrikey

Between the two full lockdowns (or however many we’ve had) a pub local to me was offering a table / WiFi / as much tea and coffee as you could drink and a soup and sandwich lunch for £10 for the day. I did it a few times when I knew I didn’t have teams meetings and it was lovely.

But that makes no financial sense to the owner.

GolfEchoRomeoTangoIndia · 15/07/2021 22:24

Just check the places near you locally. We’ve got a large restaurant near us in a converted warehouse which is more than happy to supply you with hot running coffee, electricity and Wi-fi in return for a few quid per hour during week days. Pubs are well worth checking.

Smaller places which need all their space to service the NCT groups or whoever may be less keen.

Blippibloppi · 15/07/2021 22:28

I used to do this pre Covid on my WFH days - I'd go about 11ish and have a coffee, order lunch about 12ish and then have another coffee and a cake at about 1. It was terrible for both my waistline and my bank balance.

I only ever sat on a 2 person table or on the window counter area - I'd never take one of the nice sofa areas.

Doubledoorsontogarden · 15/07/2021 22:44

Coffee shops are shit for working, choose a hotel lobby/bar/restaurant or Wetherspoons

JaceLancs · 15/07/2021 23:06

My rule is a drink per hour - and at least one food item if you are there for 2 hours plus or around a meal time
I use local cafes to meet colleagues and clients - they tell me they welcome our business as it’s regular and not weather dependent or changes during holiday periods etc

Original poster

Window1 · 16/07/2021 07:01

@Doubledoorsontogarden

Coffee shops are shit for working, choose a hotel lobby/bar/restaurant or Wetherspoons

Thanks for this.

Ok I was kind of thinking Wetherspoons as it's massive and will not risk getting full to capacity.

Didn't want to say that though for fear of being judged 🙈

OP posts:

garlictwist · 16/07/2021 07:11

It doesn't sound like the most relaxing or peaceful environment to work in. I would really struggle with the noise. Also - why would you pay to rent somewhere to work? It seems like a total waste of money.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 16/07/2021 07:15

I go somewhere that has plenty of tables - there’s a big Pret near me. Usually I’d go to an indie but I don’t want to take up their tables when they need the customers. In the Pret there’s always empty tables so I know I’m not preventing anyone else coming in.

I probably stay a couple of hours, but I don’t make calls.

Billandben444 · 16/07/2021 07:24

Have you got a local FB group that you could ask? There might be a thriving working-from-cafe industry out there already that would appreciate your custom. Pre-covid it was really irritating to go into our Cafe Nero for a relaxing coffee and find many tables covered in laptops, paperwork and phones with empty coffee cups hidden in the mess. It doesn't sound as though you'd be that person though.

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