Fed up with drinking coffee in other people’s offices.

[canyouseemyhousefromhere]

That’s what it feels like lately. I popped in for a coffee in a local coffee shop and was surrounded by four separate people working with laptops, headphones and piles of paperwork talking loudly to ‘clients’ . No food or drink in sight. I have just heard one of them invite 2 people to a meeting in this cafe, he’s busy arranging chairs (carrying them across the cafe) as I type.
I have no particular problem to people working in coffee shops but some are really taking the p now.
They often take the best tables and are now frequently causing a nuisance. I have seen two groups of shoppers change their minds whilst in the queue not sure if it’s because of the office people or just coincidence.
Is there also a confidentiality issue here perhaps? A list with personal information was clearly in view on the table.
Does anyone else feel fed up with this or am I just being a misery? 🤷‍♀️

Are single people not allowed their own table?

Treating a café as your office is definitely out of order. It's very inconsiderate toward the owner and to other customers.

DN works in a café where a group of people go everyday and stay for hours, having bought only one drink each. The manager won't tell them to stop, so what can you do🤷🏼‍♀️

I think working on a laptop is one thing, and ok as long as the person is thoughtful about buying a reasonable amount for the time they're there, but taking calls/doing online meetings is incredibly off. I too am always surprised at how common it is.

I once sat next to someone in a coffee shop who turned out to be doing job interviews, in person! I initially thought the interviews were to work in the coffee shop, which made some sense, but it became clear it wasn't, they really had just scheduled interviews there. I can't imagine agreeing to being interviewed in Costa - and what was their plan if they couldn't get a table?!

I, on occasions, visit a small cafe where a number of the seats are against a ledge in the wall. There are a couple of smallish tables too both inside and outside

They've banned laptops. There was an online outcry but they are still very busy. On chatting to the owners they said about people staying there all day having bought just one coffee. But it was also because those with laptops were taking up too much space.

In that cafe I can see their point

“Dunno what the difference is between people talking on a call or people talking to each other or to their kids?”

The difference is: people talking to each other or their kids are all ordering, and sitting round a table. People with laptops seem to think it’s OK to spread themselves across a table - I was recently in Cambridge: very busy café, queues out the door, but still there were the entitled laptop table hoggers! It’s not OK, and I agree that people having meetings and so forth is as anti-social as those who talk loudly in their phones in trains.

What!? 😂 No, they reallly are not.

This! 👏👏
Fact is, everyone has some sort of device now and I don't really see what the difference is of someone sitting down with a cup of coffee and getting their phone out to scroll through social media, or working on a laptop?
The fact that coffee shops these days are all kitted out with WiFi, power sockets and USB ports suggests they're more than happy for customers to bring any device that might require them.
What I would say, though, is the likes of Starbucks etc would benefit from table/app ordering. I've often wanted to order more food/drinks but this means vacating my spot and/or leaving my equipment unattended.

I can't stand it. The problem is you go in and it's full of people on laptops that you know won't be leaving anytime soon, so you know you'll never get a seat even if you wait! Starbucks is the worst near me.

I just listen into their work chat. Sometimes I make a face to say ‘you know that’s confidential I shouldn’t be able to hear that, but I just did COS YOURE IN A CAFE.’

So if I understand you correctly...you dislike drinking coffee in public cafes which contain other members of the public?

Best solution is to take your coffee at home.

I actually really agree - and I'm self employed and used to work from cafes.

I went to one with my 10 year old the other day - during the day (she is only in school part time due to SEN _) - we couldn't find a table or place to sit but there were several people with empty coffee cups in front of them typing away.

I would honestly not normally care about something so petty but the entire vibe was just depressing!!

I went and complained at the counter - as basically people were making no effort to even eat or drink - but of course there isn't much they can do.

even when there is space it feels like an office not a cafe

and yes it's a community space but people typing away on laptops is not a nice feeling compared to people chatting/ with friends etc.

maybe unreasonable but it's true.

I think taking work calls and video calls in a cafe is a step too far.

Um, no, she says it's people 'talking loudly to ‘clients’' and having in-person meetings that's the issue.

I’m not bothered about a big Starbucks but customers do it a small independent near me and take up the small number of tables to do it which seems unfair for the cafe and other customers. Also it makes it so quiet you feel awkward chatting!

I mostly work from home but I really really don’t like it. Whenever it comes up on here, so so many people will suggest working from a coffee shop! I work with peoples personal information and I need to be on the phone a lot, so it’s totally out of the question for me.

Sure a few hours once a week of silent work would be nice to do, but I really don’t think it should be the norm!?

@canyouseemyhousefromhere try living in a small university town! you cannot get a table at all for the students doing their work. not even a tiny one. and they all need a table each for their laptops!! and you are right, never a coffee or even a used cup on the table!!

I don’t think you do understand the OP correctly.

The OP doesn’t like it when other members of the public are being inconsiderate and taking over cafes as if they are in their own private office.

I kindof agree BUT recently it has been (I notice) young women - very loud too

No, they’re shops.
They exist purely to turn a profit for their owners, they couldn’t give a shit about the community once it’s putting its hand in its collective pocket.

I WFH and every other week meet a friend in Costa for a catch up.
The selfishness of so many people. All the comfortable chairs gone, tables with 4/6 chairs gone for 1 person and their laptop! A cold empty cup in front of them.
Go home if you WFH and if you don't have room there go back to your office.

It’s the loud talking in the phone whilst wearing headphones, so they are in their own little self important bubble. Taking over the place to hold meetings AND NOT BUYING ANY FOOD OR DRINK. I’m not at all bothered by people chatting with friends at all table or on their mobiles as that makes a lively, pleasant environment.

I often work in a coffeeshop but never take calls. I only go in the mornings when I have no meetings.

Lots of independent coffee shops around me don't allow laptops. Those who do, people work quietly for a few hours and go away. Maybe it's more of a chain thing where the staff don't really care.

I did an online meeting in a Starbucks this morning. I paid for my coffee. Tipped the staff. Sat in a quiet corner.

i often meet colleagues in coffee shops too.

why shouldn’t I?

I was on a train once. It wasn’t crowded, I got my choice of seats, and sat down to read the newest (at the time) Harry Potter. At one stop this man rushed to catch the train, got on, and sat down diagonally across from me. I glanced at him briefly and from the corner of my eye, I saw as he opened his briefcase. Great, I thought, He’s going to be on his phone while I’m trying to read. But there was silence, so I turned to see what he was doing. He was reading the same HP book!