Page 2 | Working at a cafe without buying anything

Overthebow · 2022-03-04T07:52:43+00:00

Yesterday I was at a cafe and a lady came in and sat down, set up her laptop and books and started to work. She had taken a glass of the free water but hadn’t bought anything. AIBU to think she was a CF?

BeHappy91818 · 04/03/2022 08:39

Yes she’s a cf.

MiddleParking · 04/03/2022 08:40

I can see why garden centre cafe staff wouldn’t give a shit and I really can’t imagine why another garden centre customer would give a shit.

Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2022 08:41

Taking it at face value yes it's CF behaviour.

Lots of unknown variables though but it's not up tho the cafe to provide 'shelter' for someone who is working on their laptop.

ErrolTheDragon · 04/03/2022 08:42

@MiddleParking

I can see why garden centre cafe staff wouldn’t give a shit and I really can’t imagine why another garden centre customer would give a shit.

Unless there was a shortage of tables of course, but the OP didn't say that was the case even though it was a busy time of day.

Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2022 08:44

TBF the OP didn't say much at all.

If you did this in our local Garden Centre cafe it would take the staff a while to realise if the place was very busy.

BulletTrain · 04/03/2022 08:47

I suspect it's someone between appointments, so yes, CF. People down on their luck don't drive to garden centres for wifi.

GinIronic · 04/03/2022 08:48

Was it JK Rowling?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 04/03/2022 08:48

Maybe she works there?

It's quite common for managers or big bosses to come in and work on the premises of smaller shops and cafes as most don't have office space.

Iamnotamermaid · 04/03/2022 08:50

yes, it is cheeky but a risk if you provide free wifi. It is a known issue\frustration with cruise ships. People come off, look around and head to a cafe for WIFI. They will probably buy a drink (low profit) but no food (higher margins) as they are constantly fed on the ship.

ClemFandangoo · 04/03/2022 08:51

I totally agree but then I think that coffee shops in general need to do something about people working in them. In my town you can hardly get a seat for all the people sat there hogging seats with their laptops.

One coffee shop has now made a designated area for people working which is chargeable by the hour. Means that people coming in can get a seat and if you need to work it’s a quiet space with no need to buy anything as cost is covered.

Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2022 08:51

I wonder if (shock, horror) they also used the loo.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 04/03/2022 08:53

This drives me mad. Went for a drink and snack in the cafe of our local cinema the other day, before a daytime film. Couldn’t find a table because they were all taken up by people with laptops, no sign of any cafe purchases, just them, their laptops and the obligatory Chilly bottle on a table for 4. I had to balance my panini on a radiator cover.

BulletTrain · 04/03/2022 08:53

Tbf I would say garden centre toilets are ok for browsers.

Lilifer · 04/03/2022 08:53

@OneTC

Lots of cafes welcome people who need shelter or WiFi regardless of whether they can afford a coffee or not

No they don't

Is this true?? Can you name them?

Lilifer · 04/03/2022 08:55

@GinIronic

Was it JK Rowling?

😂😂😂🙌🏻

NoSquirrels · 04/03/2022 08:58

@Overthebow

This was a big but busy garden centre cafe. The staff were too busy to notice so I doubt anyone said anything to her, and it didn’t seem like she knew the staff but of course I could be wrong.

If it was busy enough no one noticed then I’d say she’s scoped it out well for a reason and not think any more of it. How long did you stay and watch her? She might have bought something later having sent her urgent emails/done job application/ etc.

If it was a small independent & taking up paying customers space, CF for the cafe to deal with. At a busy chain I couldn’t get bothered by it if the staff weren’t.

girlmom21 · 04/03/2022 08:58

@sparepantsandtoothbrush

*She might have been meeting someone for work who was buying lunch on expenses. She might be the owner. She might have just got her first job in 15 years and simply can't afford coffee or internet until her first wages are paid*

Or she might just be a CF

Which is why I said it depends on her circumstances

NoSquirrels · 04/03/2022 08:59

@HomeHomeInTheRange

This drives me mad. Went for a drink and snack in the cafe of our local cinema the other day, before a daytime film. Couldn’t find a table because they were all taken up by people with laptops, no sign of any cafe purchases, just them, their laptops and the obligatory Chilly bottle on a table for 4. I had to balance my panini on a radiator cover.

Ask to join them at their table. It’s what folk did in the olden days.

girlmom21 · 04/03/2022 08:59

@OneTC

Lots of cafes welcome people who need shelter or WiFi regardless of whether they can afford a coffee or not

No they don't

I'm sorry you live in an area where people don't help each other out 🤷‍♀️

BulletTrain · 04/03/2022 09:01

@girlmom21 Can you name any that do? And no, a new independent saying they do it in order to get a positive mention in the local paper doesn't count.

NotNotNotMyName · 04/03/2022 09:03

I think this is increasingly becoming a problem with wfh. If people buy one coffee buy stay there for hours, they are taking up often the best tables in the coffee shop so other customers can’t sit down or are relegated to the table by the loos.

Pbbananabagel · 04/03/2022 09:04

Absolutely a cheeky fucker. @girlmom21You wouldn’t expect someone who didn’t want your services to come into your place of work and use up your time/resources without any benefit for you would you? She could use a library or any other designated public place for that.

Original poster

Overthebow · 04/03/2022 09:04

There wasn’t a shortage of tables but it was very busy so not loads of free tables. It’s a fairly upmarket garden centre and everyone else there had bought at least drinks and I didn’t see anyone else working so she really stood out. I just think it strange not to even buy a drink, just take advantage of the free water that’s laid out for customers.

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 04/03/2022 09:05

[quote BulletTrain]@girlmom21 Can you name any that do? And no, a new independent saying they do it in order to get a positive mention in the local paper doesn't count.[/quote]
There are at least 5 independents in my local town that pride themselves on being community hubs and no I won't name them because that'd be pretty outing, wouldn't it. But it's also an area where people 'pay it forward' a lot. There's a difference between a town and a community and I'm fortunate to live in the latter I guess.

Original poster

Overthebow · 04/03/2022 09:06

One coffee shop has now made a designated area for people working which is chargeable by the hour. Means that people coming in can get a seat and if you need to work it’s a quiet space with no need to buy anything as cost is covered.

That’s a really good idea, more places should do this

OP posts: