BECAUSE I CAN’T SEEM TO STOP WRITING ABOUT CAFES — A MINI MANIFESTO

A couple days ago in my first post about my disappointment with being unable to plug-in my laptop at Tillie’s, I mentioned an IM chat I had with a friend who was frustrated by the way certain people hog space at cafes and therefore is all in favor of ways of limiting that ability, e.g., not allowing people to use the cafe’s power.

Today I drifted slightly into my friend’s camp, however. Ultimately, it’s all about consideration, recognizing that a Starbucks really isn’t your office and that other people have as much a right to be and work there as you. Which is why when I sat down today, and asked the guy at the table next to me if I could use one of the two outlets in the wall directly between us — of which he was plugged in to both — his response of, “No I’m using them” kind of annoyed the shit out of me. It certainly wasn’t the end of the world. Thankfully the woman on the other side of me was about 7000 times nicer, helping me reach my power cord behind her chair and into the open outlet on the other side (uhm … that came out dirtier than I intended — you don’t know what I’m talking about? Never mind.), but it should never have been an issue.

People have been writing manifestos left and right recently. Or I just enjoy practicing hyperbole myself. But Lindsay’s camera manifesto — with which I wholeheartedly agreed — did create a brief stir within our lame insulated blog world. I wish their was a manifesto about laptop usage in a cafe that had just a couple brief points:

1. Don’t be cheap. If you’re going to sit some place for hours, at least justify it by buying something from time-to-time.

2. Don’t be selfish, Part I: Yes, laptops take up some space. At little round tables, they may take up the entire thing. Still, if the place is crowded, share. Especially if someone doesn’t have a laptop. Yeah, I like to be able to spread-out too, but we’re really only talking common courtesy here. This obviously also includes giving up a chair that your bag and jacket don’t really need.
   (UPDATE: In the comments below, Jette mentions a corollary which I with which I would agree: “I always tip when I’m using free wireless.” I would venture to say you should occasionally tip even if the place doesn’t offer free wireless. I don’t tip a lot, but usually I’ll either toss change in or put a dollar in at least once during my time there.)

3. Don’t be selfish, Part II: Back to those outlets. You get to use ONE! No more. If you have a need for more than one, bring your own damn power strip or extension cord or one of those little block things that turns one outlet into three. If you can come prepared with two or more items that need power, you can also spend the $1.99 to get an adapter. You don’t have the right to tell someone else (he/she … me!) can’t use one of the two outlets you’re monopolizing.

4. Don’t be selfish, Part III: You know how you took your bag and jacket off that chair. Try to stuff it as much as possible under the table. That includes that huge blockish portion of your power supply too. It’s one thing to dominate one table; it’s another to think you have some sort of personal safe zon on the floor around you. There’s no reason I should have to trip or kick your laptops transformer (or whatever that thing is).

5. Don’t be nosy. I don’t need privacy because I’m looking at porn, but I don’t need you actually reading what’s on my screen either. I don’t stare over your shoulder.

Hell, that might be it. If I come up with more, I’ll add it, but really, would those few rules be that rough. I mean, I know consideration for your fellow cafe squatter isn’t the first thing on your mind, but it would make the world (or at least the city’s cafes — Starbucks or otherwise) better places. Especially during this holiday season. (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.)