I spend a lot of time at coffee shops. As a result, I've had a lot of experience observing the comings and goings of coffee shop patrons. I've seen temper tantrums and public breakups (or possibly just a nasty couple-fight). I hate when people fail to grasp basic coffee shop etiquette. There are certain rules that should be observed inside a coffee shop for the sanity of everyone involved.
Rule #1: Don't take up more space than you need!
This. Is. So. Annoying.
At the coffee shop I frequent, there are three individual couches, three two-person tables, five small round or square ones, and three four-person tables. There's also a grand total of four power outlets. One of them is at the entrance, so it's effectively useless because you can't plug anything in without tripping every customer that walks into the door. The three functional power outlets are next to the three big tables, which are usually occupied.
As a result, the three larger tables are the most in-demand areas of the coffee shop. I can't work with other people at an itty-bitty table, and if I have WebAssign to do, I need the power outlet to keep my laptop on for long enough (it's really old and has terrible battery life...).
If you're alone with a grand total of one book and a drink, you don't need to sit down next to one of the tables that everyone needs! I don't care how large you are. I don't care how spread out want to be. The regular tables are plenty spacious. You are annoying. And don't put your twenty million bags on top of the table and on the other chairs around you--someone else can use that space.
There's nothing more irritating than seeing someone with materials that don't take up much space and no laptop sitting at one of the nice tables surrounded by a fort of backpacks.
Rule #2: Inside voices, please.
The other day, I was struggling through a particularly confusing section of The Republic when a lady sat down at the table behind me. I thought nothing of it, but her friends began to join her, and as time passed, the noise level from behind me got louder and louder until I could hear every word of their conversation. And I didn't care at all to hear about the time Sally dressed up as a showerhead for Halloween.
A coffee shop is a perfect place to gather your friends to chat and catch up with each other, but not when your collective volume level starts to rival that of a lawnmower. There are people trying to work! Either a) be polite and talk in six-inch voices, or b) take it outside--there are lots of tables there too!
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Oh, there's more. Check back next time for Coffee Shop Etiquette: Part 2!
I also spend a great deal of my time at coffee shops and cafés. Oftentimes I get distracted at home, so a café is the only place where I can get any real work done. The people you describe get on my nerves too, but I think that I may be one of them. I always try to get the big table by the outlet and then proceed to spread my stuff around to take up more space. I would rather not share the table with someone, and doing this makes it more intimidating for them to ask. If they do ask though, I'll always make room. I look forward to hearing about more of your coffee shop experiences.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! Last year, I used to work at the Espresso Royale at Village at the Crossing, but because of people breaking your two rules I stopped. Nonetheless though, sometimes Coffee shops are the best place to just relax and read (unless you're reading Philosophy). I say print out your rules and start posting them at your coffee shop!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you 100% on both of these points of coffee shop etiquette. I've had so much trouble with loud people at coffee shops that I've actually taken to carry earplugs in my backpack for those really egregious instances where I just can't concentrate because people are talking loudly or (worse) someone has decided to talk on their cell phone right there at their table (which always seems to necessitate a loud voice, for some reason).
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing about more of your ideas on coffee shop etiquette!
I totally agree with you, especially about rule #2. I'm one of those people who can't focus when someone is talking, no matter how hard I try. You'll often find me studying with my earbuds jammed inside my ears, blasting some nice classical music. I'm so glad you put out this set of rules!
ReplyDeleteI have seen some unsanitary practices in coffee shops, but noise pollution (Rule#2) is probably the worst thing that could ever happen.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you wrote this post. I don't really go to coffee shops but this does apply almost everywhere. I feel how annoying it is for someone on the bus to think their stuff has a right to a chair more than I do. Can't wait for your next post!
ReplyDeleteCoffee shops, for me at least, used to be the perfect place to focus and get my work done quietly. Unfortunately, it seems there's no way it's ever quiet anymore. My favorite times are Sunday evening and after 7pm on school nights--it always seems like the people then are the ones wanting to work. Good rules!
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