So this guy at the near-the-diner Starbucks spreads all these documents and notebooks one comfy chair. He sits in the other nice one, working on his laptop. From the looks of things he’s been there a while, like since he first started his consulting project or novel or whatever.
Serene on the outside. Inside, it's every man for himself.
I ask if I can move his junk stuff Very Important Research. He gives me that look that intimidates women and children. But I’m a guy, so I just glare back. I move his crap portable desk, and sit down.
I whip out my iPhone, check headlines and weather and e-mail, drink my coffee and leave. Mr. Big Tough Guy keeps tapping away. He’s probably still there.
Which brings me to today’s “06880” civility questions. The topic is: “What is proper Starbucks etiquette?”
- Is it okay to turn the place into your own office?
- If so, can you commandeer one of the few comfortable chairs, or should you cede those to customers who don’t nurse 1 small regular coffee through 3 consecutive barista shifts?
- When you take a bathroom break, can you save your (nice) seat by leaving your laptop on it, and strewing other personal possessions around it?
- If the music is too loud for you to concentrate, are you within your rights to ask an employee to turn it down? How about telling people at the next table to pipe down — thumbs up or not?
- If you settle in to Starbucks every day for hours at a time, is there a moral obligation toss money in the “Tips” jar? If so, how much and how often?
These are important questions, as every Starbucks-going Westporter knows. Click “Comments” to add your 2 cents.