Cafe Laptop Etiquette – Play Nice With Others
October 24, 2008 by Yvonne Russell
Dan Florio has some useful tips in his article on coffee shop laptop etiquette. It’s well worth reading.
It’s an interesting look at using a coffee shop as a virtual office from the perspective of the staff and other customers. No one likes someone who hogs a table all day. Don’t you hate it when people talk loudly on mobiles in public places?
Here are some other insights into playing nice in coffee shops whether you’re a regular or a visitor.
The bottom line is it costs the owner money and he’s providing a service to all his customers, not just those who use wi-fi, so it has to be a win win for all concerned.
- Be fair with your use of the coffee shop owner’s bandwidth.
- Be aware of others (staff and customers) and be polite, friendly and considerate.
- Bring all your own stationery. Nothing is going to bug a coffee shop owner more than someone who sits there all day and then also wants to borrow things and take up their time.
- Don’t automatically take the biggest (or best located) table especially if you’re going to be there at busy times.
- Make it worthwhile for the coffee shop owner – Buy something, and don’t just sit on one drink all day.
- Do you have any other cafe laptop etiquette tips?
- What are your biggest cafe laptop etiquette peeves?
Also read –
Also annoying, those who hog electrical outlets by charging a cellphone and/or camera while on thier laptop. I refrain from this because most coffee shops only have a few outlets, I will plug in my laptop, buy myself a drink and maybe some food, and if I plan to stay a while after finishing my coffee, I’ll order another. It’s just common sense people! Oh, and don’t bring in a bunch of stinky food from another location, esp if you are not going to order from the place. Eat your $5 footlong at Subway or at home.