priyarainelle t1_jdoinrd wrote on March 25, 2023 at 11:20 PM

Reply to comment by VulcanVulcanVulcan in DC’s cafe scene is great but lacks seating by ActuaryPersonal2378

This isn’t Europe, it’s America. Two different cultures re: coffee drinking and cafes.

It’s not some monumental ask for one to be able to sit and enjoy a latte or some other filter coffee drink (as opposed to an espresso) while reading a book or chatting with friends. Or, perhaps, just finishing the drink you just bought - which was probably $8-14 in this city.

I understand what you’re saying, but “camping out” is on the extreme end of things.

Existing365Chocolate t1_jdouc1o wrote on March 26, 2023 at 12:48 AM

> It’s not some monumental ask for one to be able to sit and enjoy a latte or some other filter coffee drink (as opposed to an espresso) while reading a book or chatting with friends.

This is entirely fine and expected

However a ton of spots are taken up by WFH warriors camping at a coffeeshop all day

priyarainelle t1_jdoweg3 wrote on March 26, 2023 at 1:04 AM

I’m so glad you agree with me that people “camping out” is an entirely different issue and expectation than what OP has, which makes the initial comment in this thread unnecessarily harsh and mostly irrelevant to the discussion that OP started. 🙂

GloomyPapaya t1_jdpa1m5 wrote on March 26, 2023 at 2:52 AM

Exactly. Sitting down to read a book while you eat & drink is no worse than people scrolling on their phone and not near the issue as people camped out on a laptop. All cafes becoming takeout only would suck.

celj1234 t1_jdopdfi wrote on March 26, 2023 at 12:11 AM

Is it? Esp with work from home as popular as it is now.

Feel like most people who “drink in” at this shops end up posting up for a long time

priyarainelle t1_jdoqxdg wrote on March 26, 2023 at 12:22 AM

What would you call a long time? I do tons of computer work (writing, editing, social media, etc.) and a lot of my regular “work” is just wandering around and knowing where to go so that I can make recommendations to people. From what I’ve observed, no… People camping out at coffee shops isn’t the big issue that this comment section is making it.

Most people have things to do and, in this city especially, there are many conversations that can’t be had in public. Plus, many places aren’t really super comfortable to post up in.

There’s a small minority of people who do hog up space and sure they are very noticeable when that happens. But it is overly dramatic to pretend as though the few people who do camp out at coffee shops are impactful enough to warrant a place literally restructuring their business model - which is based on volume and add-on items, anyway. Not dine in.

GloomyPapaya t1_jdpa8ds wrote on March 26, 2023 at 2:54 AM

I visit cafes a lot too and also haven’t noticed it being a major issue. Usually if I’m struggling to find a seat at a spot that has a lot of seating it’s because people are sitting around chatting, not working or (GOD FORBID) reading