Working in a coffee shop? These are the unwritten rules according to baristas
In a world where five days in the office is no longer the norm, most people nowadays work from home at the kitchen table. And while it can sometimes be delightful to slide behind your laptop in your loungewear and pull open the candy drawer every ten minutes without being noticed, it can also make you feel like the walls are closing in. All remote workers gather for this reason nowadays in cozy coffee shops. Not only for the coffee and a nice pastry from the display, but also because there is a motivating yet calming atmosphere in such a place that ensures you can still get quite a bit of work done.
So we keep those coffee shops as new workplaces. But let's be honest: occupying a table for four for an entire afternoon just to order two latte macchiatos and a slice of carrot cake is, according to baristas, not really the intention. Money needs to be made, and this way it doesn't happen very quickly. So to ensure that laptop users and coffee shops can live in harmony, there are a few unwritten rules you want to follow as a remote worker so you don't get in the way. Are you listening?
Choose the right spots
No matter how much you want to sit in that aesthetic coffee shop , it is important to think about how practical this place actually is for you. Are there enough seats? Can you also sit at a one- or two-person table? If you choose a café that is too small, it becomes much harder to occupy a spot for a longer period. Moreover, it is wise to check in advance whether they have free wifi and power outlets. If there are plenty of power outlets available, you can be sure it is a work-friendly place.
Make sure you keep ordering
According to baristas, the unwritten rule is that you spend a minimum amount of five euros if you sit for at least an hour and a half. So that's a bit more than just a coffee. If you plan to stay longer, make sure to order something to eat. And this doesn't have to be elaborate, you know. Even a simple croissant or a slice of cake is appreciated if you try to place an order every hour to hour and a half.
Leave when it gets busy
Now that we've checked off the minimum order amount, we come to the next burning question. Because yes, how long can you actually stay if it's just you and your laptop? You could argue that the maximum time you can spend in a coffee shop is around four hours. That's still quite long. But do keep in mind that this only applies in coffee shops where there is actually room for it. If it starts to get very crowded during the day, that might be your sign to pack up and move somewhere else.
Don't make phone calls
Just like you would sit in a private booth at the office for a call or meeting, this applies to other places as well. So don't spend hours on the phone, unless it's a quick call of a minute — that's of course a different story. In any case, be a little considerate of your fellow humans and don't be a nuisance to anyone.
Source: eater.com
