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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

205 replies

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 09/05/2025 14:20

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? 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
dollyblue01 · 09/05/2025 17:16

JustMyView13 · 09/05/2025 14:39

Coffee shops are community spaces. Places to study, work, meet friends, escape. Whatever the community needs them to be. Take away coffee is a great option if you’re looking for a space that’s less sociable. You could take it to a park, and sit on a bench.

These coffee shops wouldn’t exist if they didn’t provide such space for people. And in the absence of local libraries these days, where else are people to go.

Edited

I agree with this, maybe go find one that’s quieter and doesn’t allow it.

Original poster
canyouseemyhousefromhere · 09/05/2025 17:20

JustMyView13 · 09/05/2025 14:39

Coffee shops are community spaces. Places to study, work, meet friends, escape. Whatever the community needs them to be. Take away coffee is a great option if you’re looking for a space that’s less sociable. You could take it to a park, and sit on a bench.

These coffee shops wouldn’t exist if they didn’t provide such space for people. And in the absence of local libraries these days, where else are people to go.

Edited

The people working are not being sociable though are they? Quite the opposite in fact. Perhaps they should be sitting on a park bench. Not one of them had a drink or food while I was there. Just monopolising the space (and one was even plugged into their mains electricity).

I enjoy the buzz of a coffee shop with people chatting etc.

OP posts:
Bobnobob · 09/05/2025 17:22

Hamandpineapplepizza · 09/05/2025 14:32

I'm surprised their employers let them . We issued very clear guidance to employees that they are not allowed to work in public places.
So many risks of breaches of confidentiality

what if you work in an area that confidentiality isn’t needed?

LeticiaMorales · 09/05/2025 17:24

Hamandpineapplepizza · 09/05/2025 14:32

I'm surprised their employers let them . We issued very clear guidance to employees that they are not allowed to work in public places.
So many risks of breaches of confidentiality

I think many employers seem to be quite laissez-faire, and I suspect that many of these jobs are probably low stakes. I was in Caffe Nero and could clearly see the screen of the man sitting along from me, so I hope it wasn't confidential!

Original poster
canyouseemyhousefromhere · 09/05/2025 17:26

GiveMeSpanakopita · 09/05/2025 16:42

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.

You obviously didn’t read my op.

OP posts:
ThriveIn2025 · 09/05/2025 17:26

Just saw an ad for a pub offering their tables as a workspace and charging £15 for it (which included breakfast or lunch). I imagine if they haven’t paid the charge they’ll be moved on if they get the laptop out.

I mean, I see where you are coming from and largely agree but nowadays most places have people talking with their phones on loudspeaker or a kid watching something on an iPad with the volume on etc be it the bus or a coffee shop. Working isn’t much different, it’s pretty hard to escape from this kind of noise/nuisance.

Itisjustmyopinion · 09/05/2025 17:27

Work wise I would be pulled straight into a disciplinary if I joined a work call from Costa (or any public space). We are told to have Alexa’s switched off when wfh never mind working outside the home

I remember being in a cafe and two students were taking up a four seater table each and brought out their own picnic in Tupperware boxes!! They were most affronted when they were told to leave. CFs

isitme111 · 09/05/2025 17:29

I often see a table for four taken up by one single person bashing away on a laptop which is so frustrating when the cafe is full.

Panamacatinahat · 09/05/2025 17:30

Our local Costa is full of these idiots. One particular bloke takes up four armchairs with his laptop, coat, papers and lunch box that he brings in containing his own food. We’ve complained about him as he hogs the same chairs for hours and hours at a time. We were told that he does buy a few drinks throughout the day. It’s a particular peeve of mine.

BingoBling · 09/05/2025 17:30

Its very prevalent in uni towns so that the coffee places are akin to a library.

I think some places are set up for it - rectangular tables etc.

Someone2025 · 09/05/2025 17:32

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 09/05/2025 17:11

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.

Show quote history

Yes,
They want everyone to know they are on a ‘very important’ business call 😁
If it was that important you wouldn’t be doing it in a cafe?!?

vintagecrow · 09/05/2025 17:35

GiveMeSpanakopita · 09/05/2025 16:42

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.

Misunderstanding on purpose doesn’t make you right. Or funny.

AthWat · 09/05/2025 17:37

I mean, this is obviously going to be market driven. If they get more custom by allowing this, they will allow it, and if they don't they won't. If there's a market for both types, then both types will exist.

Nobody has any right for the type of business they would like to visit to exist. It will exist if enough people share your opinion and go and spend money in it. That's capitalism.

AthWat · 09/05/2025 17:39

Panamacatinahat · 09/05/2025 17:30

Our local Costa is full of these idiots. One particular bloke takes up four armchairs with his laptop, coat, papers and lunch box that he brings in containing his own food. We’ve complained about him as he hogs the same chairs for hours and hours at a time. We were told that he does buy a few drinks throughout the day. It’s a particular peeve of mine.

Complaining while continuing to go won't make them change anything. Tell them you won't come in until they do something about it, and if enough people tell them that and stick to it, then they might.

Purplebunnie · 09/05/2025 17:40

I heard on the news that some pubs are thinking of charging £15/half day for people to work in the pub (maybe just our area). If it keeps our pubs open I'm all for it

UpJacksArseAndRoundTheCorner · 09/05/2025 17:41

KStockHERO · 09/05/2025 15:03

There was once an incredibly irritating bloke doing this on my train. He was also trying to make eye contact with everyone in the carriage just so he could be assured that they'd heard how incredibly important he was.

As I was queueing to get off the train, I told him that I'd reported him to his employer and to the Information Commissioners Office for a serious data breach. He went grey It was hilarious. I hadn't but hopefully he thought twice about doing it in future.

Oh do behave yourself lol

IcedPurple · 09/05/2025 17:43

Bobnobob · 09/05/2025 17:22

what if you work in an area that confidentiality isn’t needed?

Show quote history

What job has no confidentiality requirements at all? If not for clients, then for the business itself? Conducting work meetings in public places where anyone can hear every word you say is unprofessional at best.

isitme111 · 09/05/2025 17:44

Forgot to mention I also once overheard an interview take place - 2 interviewers and 1 poor candidate who was expected to answer questions in a coffee shop I mean WTF... I was so tempted to lean across and ask the interviewers if they really thought it was an appropriate space but thought it less confrontational to just stare at them instead - I eventually left when listening to it all became too cringe.

TortolaParadise · 09/05/2025 17:44

First dogs now laptops! Whatever next?👀

Shakirasma · 09/05/2025 17:46

DD messaged me the other day to say she had come across a guy conducting an online meeting from his laptop while sat in a mock up living room in IKEA!

IcedPurple · 09/05/2025 17:47

isitme111 · 09/05/2025 17:44

Forgot to mention I also once overheard an interview take place - 2 interviewers and 1 poor candidate who was expected to answer questions in a coffee shop I mean WTF... I was so tempted to lean across and ask the interviewers if they really thought it was an appropriate space but thought it less confrontational to just stare at them instead - I eventually left when listening to it all became too cringe.

Interviews usually involve sharing personal information so I'd question if it's even legal to interview someone in a public place without their consent.

LeticiaMorales · 09/05/2025 17:47

TortolaParadise · 09/05/2025 17:44

First dogs now laptops! Whatever next?👀

Dogs on laptops?

LeticiaMorales · 09/05/2025 17:47

Shakirasma · 09/05/2025 17:46

DD messaged me the other day to say she had come across a guy conducting an online meeting from his laptop while sat in a mock up living room in IKEA!

Edited

😂that's a great one!

UpJacksArseAndRoundTheCorner · 09/05/2025 17:48

Shakirasma · 09/05/2025 17:46

DD messaged me the other day to say she had come across a guy conducting an online meeting from his laptop while sat in a mock up living room in IKEA!

Edited

Clearly a member of staff then.

KitsyWitsy · 09/05/2025 17:49

I often work in cafes but I like to think I am considerate. I usually get there about 10:30 and have a coffee, then I'll buy another coffee and a full meal for lunch before I leave. Probably still 2 hours max. I am very aware of how so many people take the piss that I would hate it if a cafe owner thought that of me.