People working on laptops in cafes 😡

You could have asked the barista nicely whether she could accommodate you. Maybe they would have made a public announcement - embarrassing, but useful, about whether anyone wanted to vacate their seats for you. Some people do not have internet at home, because they cannot afford it.

Some people do not have internet at home, because they cannot afford it.
🤔 Either their firm should pay if they are WFH or it would be a deductible expense if they are running their own business.

It is a trend.

I used to have almost unusable internet at home. I used a hotspot via my phone to connect to the laptop.
The phone signal wasn't great there either, tho, so I sometimes went somewhere with a better signal and still used my hotspot.
I don't really trust public internet, or that of businesses. It may not be secure so not a bright idea for work things.

There's a gentleman old enough to be a genuine Gransnetter who sits with his laptop at a table for two at my local pub, earphones on, for hours. BUT it's usually at a quiet time of the day, and he buys two pints of bitter at a time. I have never seen him drink fewer than four, so it works well for him and the pub.

Ladyleftfieldlover

I’m assuming those people with laptops are ordering coffee and tea every now and again !

Sorry you have been ill . I’m
In organ failure and limited mobility .
People work in coffee shops . They encourage it , they spend a fortune over the day . I used to do it myself . I do hope you recover soon.

Some of them can be very annoying, especially if they have a meeting with a client and end up with paperwork all over the table. However on a trip to London recently I found myself sitting opposite a long haired student with a lap top. After a few minutes I asked him what he was working on. He looked up (and turned out to be the most beautiful looking young man I have seen for a very long time) and we ended up having a lovely conversation about philosophy, the hard work involved in doing a PhD, and modern life in general. Twenty minutes well spent.

We were in a cafe recently when a young girl came in, sat down and read a book for while. Then she put the book away, put her head on down on her folded arms and went to sleep. Didnt even have a glass of water - unbelievable

That sounds like a lovely journey, Deedaa.

I agree that using a cafe as a meeting room (even worse if someone is talking loudly to others 'offstage') is inconsiderate, and yes, I'd expect anyone in a cafe (or pub, for that matter) to buy drinks whilst they were there, but sitting with a laptop, book, newspaper, map or last will and testament need not be.

I often sit with mine whilst Mr Dog is reading, or watching TV. We are sharing the space but doing different things - I don't see the difference, other than that a cafe owner has a right to expect to sell food and drink to people in the cafe.

I met a friend in a franchise cafe, we don’t see each other much. There was a chap behind us, on a zoom call, wearing headphones and gesticulating as he talked, his one-sided conversation echoed around the place. Sometimes, I think situations like this and like FallingStar’s are about a lack of awareness of others’ needs and a self-absorption, which computer usage encourages. Sometimes, it’s wonderful when someone looks up and notices and says ‘oh, would you like to sit here?’ And everyone smiles and moves around comfortably. That is a lovely scenario surely ? It leaves a nice feeling around the place, it’s good for everyone. 🙂