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Working in a coffee shop etiquette, the basics.
As the current office working environment under the present circumstances in this world disintegrates as we speak, there have been many predictions on the fallout. Whatever the outcome of this, one thing is for sure, working lives have changed forever. So if returning to a normal office work environment isn’t ideal then what is?
How about working from home? For some people working at home presents more distractions than working in an office. So, how about coffee shops?
As an expat who’s been abroad for over 20 years, I’ve worked in various environments including coffee shops. Not only have I worked in coffee shops while abroad, but I’ve also worked in coffee shops in the United States as well.
Not serving or making the coffee mind, you but working out of my laptop.
However, if you make working out of coffee shops a regular routine there is a working in a coffee shop etiquette that you will need to learn and learn quickly. That is if you want to make your coffee shop working experience not only productive, but pleasant as well.
Here are some common questions regarding working in a coffee shop and the etiquette that will help you not only make your local coffee shop working environment more pleasurable, but it will also help you contribute to a pleasant environment for others, but the staff as well.
Is it okay to work in a coffee shop?
It’s perfectly okay to work in a coffee shop.
Most coffee shops nowadays even have free Wi-Fi for their customers. That’s the key, a coffee shop is not a library. So don’t treat it like one. Be a customer. At least buy a cup of coffee. And if you plan on staying more than an hour, buy another cup of coffee.
How long can you sit at a coffee shop?
Most coffee shops you can sit at all day if you like.
However, you can’t sit in a coffee shop all day and not buy anything. Buy a cup of coffee, a cake or salad, a sandwich, etc. while you’re there.
If you’re in the United States, become a regular at one or two of your local coffee shops and give a tip while you’re there.
The staff will look at you a whole lot differently and make your entire working experience in that coffee shop much more enjoyable.
Do you have to buy coffee to sit in a coffee shop?
You don’t have to buy a coffee to sit in a coffee shop. But you do have to buy something. You can buy tea. You can buy a soda, a sandwich etc.
But you just can’t treat a coffee shop like a library as I’ve already said. Coffee shops are businesses and they’re there to make money.
They offer nice settings with background music, comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi as a way to attract customers. The keyword in that statement again is, “customers”. So become one.
Is it rude to go to a coffee shop and not buy anything?
It is absolutely rude to go to a coffee shop and not buy anything, just so you can use their free Wi-Fi. But believe it or not, people do it.
I’ve actually seen people mosey into a coffee shop, flip open their laptop and start working without even as much as buying a glass of water.
Some of these inconsiderates even use the power outlets that are provided to make those paying customers, who want to get some work done or at least charge their phone up in that coffee shop, more convenient for them.
Can you sit in Starbucks all day?
Starbucks is an international coffee chain. Technically you can sit in Starbucks all day and just use Wi-Fi. But Starbucks is also still a business. And you should at least buy a cup of coffee while you’re there.
If you’re going to be there all day, then buy your lunch there as well.
Although Starbucks is higher priced than many other coffee shops, that doesn’t give you the excuse not to purchase anything from them.
Especially if you’re going to be taking up space and using their free Wi-Fi. If money is an issue but you still want to have the benefits of working in a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi, then pick a cheaper coffee shop.
One more thing, Starbucks is usually quite busy and has a lot of foot traffic. People go to Starbucks and buy coffee or other beverages along with some of their great cakes and want to sit and chat.
However, if you’re sitting there with your laptop, tapping away on your keyboard for hours on end without even buying a coffee, then you’re also hogging up space for legitimate customers.
Keep that in mind as well, if you’re thinking of going to Starbucks or any other coffee shop and want to use their comfortable tables and chairs and their free Wi-Fi without buying anything.
Can Starbucks kick you out for not buying anything?
In most places, Starbucks can kick you out for not buying anything. They could justify this because it’s a business establishment and you would be considered loitering, if you are not a customer or have a legitimate reason for being there.
Is it rude to talk on the phone in a coffee shop?
This depends. In general, it is rude to talk on the phone In a coffee shop. Why? Any noise you make that is above the level of background noise, including music that’s probably playing in the background or normal level conversations that are going around you, people will find disturbing.
Usually when people talk on the phone their voices are a little higher than conversation level, which makes it distracting.
I don’t know about you, but I always find it distracting when someone is talking out loud without another person in front of them.
So considering all the above, yes it is rude to talk on a phone in a coffee shop. So if you have to talk on the phone, then you should try to walk outside and do so.
If you can’t then, talk very softly and make it brief.
Why do I work better in a coffee shop?
I work better in a coffee shop than I do in any other environment except for home because I actually like background noise and people going about their days around me. I feel kind of more isolated because people are there for other reasons than I am.
I feel much more comfortable working and I work much better in a coffee shop than say, a coworking space. Why? That’s a good question. I had to think about that myself for a bit.
The main reason is that most people go to coffee shops not to work, but to relax and have a cup of coffee.
Maybe have a chat with a friend, read the paper etc. It’s a relaxing atmosphere, whereas in a coworking space, people go there not to relax or even chat with friends, but to work.
However, the coworking space is not an office or company. It’s various individuals working on various solo projects or even working remotely for a company.
But there’s no cohesiveness. There’s no common reason why they’re all there working towards one goal together like there would be in a company.
Needless to say, that’s why I think outside of my home, a coffee shop is the ideal place to work.
Being a regular at a coffee shop while working out of one.
What are the best things you can do when working out of a coffee shop becomes a regular part of your working life, is to become a regular at the coffee shop that you plan on working out of.
This of course could be more than one coffee shop. You can become a regular in many coffee shops.
Becoming a regular at more than one coffee shop may be a good idea because part of the benefit of working out your laptop is the freedom it gives you to change your environment and surroundings. It may also make you more productive and creative.
Besides, by becoming a regular at more than one coffee shop you will meet more new people as well.
But the best way to endear yourself to the staff of the coffee shop you would like to work out of is to become a regular.
By the way, when I say regular, I mean a regular “customer”, not a regular Wi-Fi mooch or freeloader.
Working in a coffee shop etiquette, summary.
As you can see working in a coffee shop does have a particular etiquette you should follow if you want your working experience to go smoothly and pleasant.
If you follow the above unwritten rules of coffee shop etiquette, you will find that at least this part of your working day will be one of the most pleasant parts of it.
So have a cup of Joe, smile and be a good customer, treat the staff and your fellow patrons well.