Coffee Shop Campers

[tonyo]

After reading the piece on 7 Nights about the issue of people hanging out for hours at coffee shops and cafes, I thought that this would be an interesting thread.  My guess is there are two camps on this;

Camp A:   "It is part of the culture of socializing with friends like maltshops were in the 1950's" . "I paid for my $2.00 coffee/tea/scone etc. so I have the "right" to hang out as long as I want".

Camp B: "Employ some common sense, it's not your office". 

I fall into Camp B.  It is a place of business, not a place to hang out, tie up a table for hours (yes hours, some people do just that), and spend virtually no money.  I have witnessed this at bookstores as well.  People go in and spend hours reading a book.  Hey here's an idea, BUY IT !!  I know, some of the stores have added to this dilemma by offering comfortable chairs, free wi-fi, electricity (to me that is pretty brazen to plug in your laptop rather than using your battery).  It is a tough call.  I can remember managing restaurants that were on 1.5 - 2 hour waits while a tabl of 6 lingered for an hour after their check was delivered.  Not much you can do (subtle hints, offers for free dessert to go, present a lease for them to sign.  Tough call.

[bigfatty]

Interesting conversation! As one who owns a restaurant, I'm of mixed feelings. 

I can give you a downside:  We had, on Friday, a customer who came in, ate his lunch at a table that seats 4 and had his laptop.  We here slammed with customers, some waiting for a seat.  The customer with the laptop spent the better part of 2 hours working on his laptop while chaos reigned around him.  Had it been me, I would have been very aware of the line of people standing next to his table waiting for a seat. 

I'm not bitchin'... just relating a scenario.

[VTFoodlvr]

Hmm, interesting question. I have worked in restaurants before where this has happened.  Certain places do put out comfy chairs and offer free Wi-Fi so that people will stay for a bit, and I think that's great. It becomes a problem when people are oblivious to what is going on around them, like the previous bloggers comment about the establishment being super busy. Of course, you can get those people who just buy a $2.00 cup of coffee and sit there for 5 hours and I think that's wrong too, especially if they are using the shop's electricity. Everything in moderation I guess. So yeah, I guess I'd be in camp B

[Morganna]

It is just common courtesy to both the business and the other patrons for an individual to be aware of the impact they're having. 

For the guy who camped at a table for four during the lunch rush I would have actually complimented any manager who had the balls to go up and tell him "sir, we're very glad you came in today, but we really need your table. Would you be willing to either move to a smaller table, or accept this coupon for <whatever> so we can seat some other customers? It is our lunch rush right now."

Honestly, if someone got snotty over such a polite request and an offer to make up for the inconvenience then they aren't worth trying to keep as customers.  Think of the four people who AREN'T getting served and who WON'T be back because this guy was hogging the table.  It's penny wise and pound foolish to do anything other than this.

Maybe public libraries should look into setting up a sort of cafe with wifi where people can come with their coffee and computers and sit for as long as they like and read.