For a sizable portion of American workforce the coffee shop has become the new office. That's fine and dandy. But it doesn't mean you can treat it like your personal studio.
We'll admit it, the prospect of free Wi-Fi, pastries, and gallons and gallons of caffeine, can cloud anyone's judgement. But guess what? If you walk into a coffee shop, plug all your gear into the only outlet, use the Wi-Fi, and refuse to buy anything, you're a bad person.
You're also a lousy customer.
For one thing, you're abusing a service meant to lure customers in to buy drinks and food. That's the deal, you see. You buy stuff, the coffee shop lets you enjoy its broadband, use its electricity, and sit at one of its tables. Everybody wins. Therefore, when you arrive at any coffee shop, the first thing you should do buy a beverage. And not the cheapest, smallest drink on the menu. Buy something worthy of free Wi-Fi. Go ahead and try a cup of that Ethiopia SCFCU Peaberry.
If you plan on sticking around for a few hours, purchase at least one drink per hour. Better yet, order some food. Muffins are always a good call. If this particular coffee shop also serves lunch, get yourself something delicious if you're in it for the long haul. The coffee shop's proprietors and your stomach will thank you.
Now that we've transformed you into a decent customer, it's time to talk about being a good citizen. Finding the one power outlet in the coffee shop and plugging all your gadgets into it for hours is a jerk move. Yes, your laptop needs power. But does it need to be plugged in the entire time? Also, charge your smartphone from your computer, not the power outlet. Unless you plan on bringing a power strip and letting everyone plug in, use one outlet.
And if you are bringing all your stuff (including a power strip), for heaven's sake keep it consolidated under your table. This isn't your home, so stop spreading out and taking up valuable seating space with your jacket and backpack. Stuff your jacket in your backpack or hang it on the back of your chair. That bag will probably fit under the table too. Now that you've cleaned up your clutter, if you're sitting at a table with an open seat, offer it up to other patrons. You'll probably never talk to them after they sit down. But, there's always a chance you'll make a friend. Bonus: you'll have someone to watch your stuff when you have to pee after drinking all those lattes.
Finally, for some reason, people tend to forget that no one wants to hear their phone calls while they're in a coffee shop. If you need to conduct business, that's fine. But go outside to use the phone. If you're concerned about your stuff being stolen, pick it up and take it with you. Or you can ask your new friend to watch your stuff while you take an important call. Better yet, schedule your calls to coincide with leaving the coffee shop.
So let's review: Be a decent, non-freeloading customer so the coffee shop where you love to work doesn't have to shut down. Stop being selfish and share the power outlets, chairs, and space around you. Oh, and wear headphones. Always wear headphones while listening to your music. We're not all Robin Thicke fans.
