The problem is not remote work, the problem is social fabric breaking down, causing people to take without giving in return. In the case of Starbucks, an anonymous corporation, little reciprocity is expected in the first place, but mom&pop coffee shops getting loads of freeloaders and squatters is an indicator of a larger problem in an area. Do these guys order one coffee in the morning and at lunch eat sandwiches they brought from home?
Also I wouldn't dare to take up space in a shop that's already short on space, nor would that be a particularly nice environment to work in.
I've got a local mom&pop coffee shop that I love, staff included, and obviously don't want to be a net negative to the place. Something would have to be seriously wrong with me if that ever changed and I'd hope someone would take corrective action by giving me a piece of their mind.
Kaibeezy•9mo ago
One of my favorite cafes has simple signage with an explanation, plus an owner/manager with the interest and confidence to enforce it. He’s really just replacing the empathy, self-awareness and social awareness that’s fading generally. It’s his prerogative: the scrambled eggs, toast and coffee are basically perfect; that’s where he puts his effort and what makes money; he’s tending his shop with care and dedication.
Corporate cafes are flaccid and indifferent. A pay toilet that hands out free coffee. Who even cares what a customer is up to?
Arnt•9mo ago
Would you leave if the café filled up while you were there?
Kaibeezy•9mo ago
At a local/mom-n-pop, if they asked, sure. At a corporate cafe no employee would care, so why should I?
In part, it’s a marginal utility problem. How do I know it’s not now peak crowded and will start to empty out if I wait 5 minutes. People can go somewhere else if it’s too crowded; I would have gone somewhere else; people with lower tolerance than me will leave before me; etc.
trinix912•9mo ago
I think it's both because of the Instagram glamourization of this sort of remote work, and the fact that more and more people are starting to work online but the public coworking spaces are still scarce and expensive.
The city I work in (Ljubljana) has recently opened a new public facility with desks, wi-fi and power outlets for anyone to use without any restrictions. They're crowded every single day. Same for all public libraries in the area, but every time such a space opens it frees up the other ones a bit.
While I don't agree with squatting coffee shops for days on end, I think we should be building more free to use public coworking spaces and libraries to accommodate this change.
fc417fc802•9mo ago
That's one way of looking at it, but an alternative perspective is that it's an issue with the pricing model. Move to assigned seating. Charge for the spot itself by the hour. Include internet and a beverage in that charge.
Sure there's a bit more to it but the basic idea is a straightforward and understandable one.
chmod775•9mo ago
Also I wouldn't dare to take up space in a shop that's already short on space, nor would that be a particularly nice environment to work in.
I've got a local mom&pop coffee shop that I love, staff included, and obviously don't want to be a net negative to the place. Something would have to be seriously wrong with me if that ever changed and I'd hope someone would take corrective action by giving me a piece of their mind.
Kaibeezy•9mo ago
Corporate cafes are flaccid and indifferent. A pay toilet that hands out free coffee. Who even cares what a customer is up to?
Arnt•9mo ago
Kaibeezy•9mo ago
In part, it’s a marginal utility problem. How do I know it’s not now peak crowded and will start to empty out if I wait 5 minutes. People can go somewhere else if it’s too crowded; I would have gone somewhere else; people with lower tolerance than me will leave before me; etc.
trinix912•9mo ago
The city I work in (Ljubljana) has recently opened a new public facility with desks, wi-fi and power outlets for anyone to use without any restrictions. They're crowded every single day. Same for all public libraries in the area, but every time such a space opens it frees up the other ones a bit.
While I don't agree with squatting coffee shops for days on end, I think we should be building more free to use public coworking spaces and libraries to accommodate this change.
fc417fc802•9mo ago
Sure there's a bit more to it but the basic idea is a straightforward and understandable one.