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WORKING AT A COFFEE SHOP - A TREND OF WORKING ANYWHERE
Work from Anywhere (WFA) is becoming a popular trend worldwide, especially among young people and freelancers. This trend allows people to work from anywhere with an internet connection, instead of being confined to a traditional office.
Instead of being confined to traditional office spaces, many people choose coffee shops as an ideal "office" for working, studying, and creating. The culture of working in coffee shops is widely applied across various fields, making it easily become a trend. Whatever your profession—a journalist, content creator, teacher, photographer, etc.—a coffee shop is the perfect place for you if you value freedom and creativity.
Young people are "rooted" in cafes to work.
On average, 2 out of 5 people believe that the atmosphere of a coffee shop is more conducive to work and can generate more innovative ideas than working at home or in a library. It's no surprise that every day, many customers bring their laptops, files, and notebooks, choosing their familiar spot to work all day.
Modern cafes share a common feature: spacious, open areas that make people feel comfortable while working. In addition, they are equipped with plenty of tables and chairs, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and no time restrictions on sitting. Many also design small, private corners for young people who want to sit alone. As an unspoken rule, young people in these cafes are generally mindful of maintaining silence.
However, using a laptop can disturb those around you, especially if you work in a quiet space. Noise from the laptop, notification sounds, and video calls can be irritating and distracting.
COFFEE SHOP ALLOWS CUSTOMERS TO USE LAPTOPS
The sight of remote workers typing on their computers in cafes at all hours of the day has become commonplace. This seems normal to everyone, but recently, Fringe and Ginger – a cafe in the UK – made a bold decision to eliminate this customer segment.
Fringe and Ginger – a cafe in England – has made a bold decision to eliminate its clientele of people who come to work for coffee.
According to Alfie Edwards, the owner of the coffee shop, people working on computers often only buy one cup of coffee but stay in the shop for hours, using the free Wi-Fi and occupying the common area. This prevents other customers who come to the shop to chat and relax from enjoying the atmosphere they desire.
The cafe's interior is designed simply to provide a comfortable resting space for customers.
The decor throughout also reflects sophistication and a customer-centric approach.
The restaurant has a spacious and airy atmosphere.
However, it is the people who come to drink coffee and then work on their computers that are ruining the atmosphere of the coffee shop. Moreover, this situation means that although the shop is always full of customers, the revenue does not increase at all.
Fringe and Ginge products impress with their attractive packaging.
Edwards said he once encountered a situation where a customer asked the staff to be quiet so they could concentrate on their work. This annoyed him and disrupted the relaxed atmosphere of the cafe.
Since the ban on laptops, Edwards has observed customers chatting more. Even people who were once strangers have become friends. Some come to the cafe to relax in their neighbor's place.
The trend of cafes banning laptops is sparking heated debate in the community. Some support the idea, arguing that prohibiting laptops will create a quiet, comfortable environment for those who want to chat, relax, or work focused. However, others oppose it, arguing that it restricts customers' freedom and negatively impacts the cafe's revenue.
Fringe and Ginge also focuses on quality, from drinks to food, to ensure customers have the best possible experience.
Furthermore, laptops are an indispensable part of many people's lives, especially those who work independently or as freelancers. Banning laptops might discourage them from going to the cafe. Many people need to use laptops for work or study, and a complete ban would create significant difficulties for them. Instead of a complete ban, the cafe could designate a specific area for laptop users or require customers to use headphones while using laptops.
Overall, working at a coffee shop can be a good option for those looking to change their work environment, increase productivity, and save money. However, you also need to consider the drawbacks of working at a coffee shop.
