The fucking noise in coffee shops

[likelysuspect]

Its unbearable

Went for a walk today, thought we'll have breakfast somewhere we havent been before. Lovely looking place and it turns out lovely food.

But my god, the smashing, banging, hissing, whizzing, grinding, clattering, scraping of chairs. Of course its a right trendy place with hard flooring, high ceilings, 'plastered' walls, hard tables and chairs.

I could barely hear OH, dreaded someone asking for a smoothie or another coffee or getting up from their chair

Its unfortunate but I dont think we'll go back which is a shame because we want to support small places.

We have been to a couple of those very large farm shop/garden centre cafes and the racket, not so much from people talking but the scraping of chairs mainly, if it's a large busy cafe it's almost constant

It’s the sour milk smell for me. It’s much worse in the big chain outlets than independents (generally speaking). It makes me think they aren’t clean. I don’t have milk in or on anything so I’m possibly more aware of it but the smell makes my stomach churn.

Agree. And the new one I went to yesterday (not my choice) had f’ing dogs 🤬 everywhere too.

I agree, OP. The way they treat the crockery in cafés, I'm surprised there is any left without chips.

Obviously 'Minimum Wage Syndrome'.

Actually yes, completely agree.
I was out with a friend yesterday, we both have some mobility issues so ended up in 3 coffee shops while getting through the day - and we said the same.

It is the decor.

The industrial ones have nowhere for the sound to soften so it is so loud. We were in one like this - had to as their bakery is so good. But after then we agreed that it wasn't a pleasure to try to sit in and chat.

But the majority of cafes are now decorated like that. I assume its cheaper to decorate/refurbish the unit. Dont need to put in a ceiling or cover piping. Probably easier to clean as no carpeting or soft furnishings. But not a really pleasant place to spend any time - which I suppose also speeds up custom.