Today I am enjoying the pleasure of writing at my favorite neighborhood cafe (Mission Creek on Valencia in SF. Word.) As I am getting my write-on, my brain tingling to the caffeine/fuel, looking at my fellow cafe goers, I am recalling a few passages scattered across various writing how-to books and blogs floating around in the mental miasma I call my brain.
The advice, for me, boils down to:
Buy something. Seriously. Doesn’t have to be much, but (for me) a couple bucks an hour in purchases seems not to small an amount to ask. You are basically renting a table, and rent means pay.
However, there is an interesting exception. If the cafe is not overfull, it does help to have some folks sitting around, busily enjoying their activities. It makes the place look more popular, and sucks passers-by in.
Somewhere in their is a balance, but a cheap cup of coffee, and the willingness to vacate your place in favor of a customer looking to buy a meal if the place is packed, feels about right to me.
Your mileage had damn well better vary, and I’d love to hear about it.
Cheers!
Stumble it!
2 Comments
Greetings Travis….
I followed you from Takuin’s blog, and this little piece on Cafe Etiquette caught my attention for several reasons. One, because I’m moving to SF next year, so now I know of a coffee place to try.
And two, you reminded me of the cafe culture in Paris. You nailed it: you are RENTING a table. In Paris, you order your cafe or your verre de vin and sit and enjoy the passers-by or your book or conversation. No one will every expect you to give up that table, even if the place becomes crowded. All for 2.50 euros! (Yes, that single shot of espresso costs a lot more–that’s why you can keep the table for hours.)
I practice your style of etiquette here, too. An espresso here, a biscotti there, a bottled water. It all amounts to gratitude, really. I’m grateful for someplace to sit in an inviting atmosphere, surrounded by my fellow human beings. Almost like tithing you could say!
Be well.
Thanks, Tim!
As it turns out I am going to Paris for the first time at the end of this month. I am glad to hear that I might fit in, in at least one way.
Cheers!
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