Working at Starbucks
Posted by Cottontimer on 10 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Thoughts
When I say “working at Starbucks,” I’m not talking about as a cashier or barista. I’m talking about all those Starbucks customers who like to bring their laptops and spend the day there working off the Wi-Fi connection. This is a phenomenon in almost every Starbucks I’ve been to no matter the country. And, I know Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has a group of customers who like to do the same. Why?
First of all, Wi-Fi at the Starbucks here in London isn’t free; ?20 per month which also includes other T-Mobile hotspots but it appears to be cheaper if you’re an existing T-mobile cell phone customer. Why should I pay that when I’ve already paid a significant amount for broadband connection at home? Although I suppose it would have been handy when we didn’t have internet in our first months in London. (/me shakes fist at Wanadoo-Orange)
Then there’s the food – it’s none too good and also overpriced. And, I don’t find their tables to be big enough for proper work. I like to spread out all the magazines and books I use for reference plus my lunch, drink, external hard drive, camera, and other random stuff. Show me a table at any coffee shop that’s big enough for all that. Only my dining room table suffices. The wooden chairs and sofas also don’t seem to be ergonomically comfortable.
There’s also the issue of privacy. There’s no way I could do Skype voice calls or IM without wondering if someone is eavesdropping or peeking over my shoulder. I’d also find it difficult to concentrate with all the noise and activity. And, I definitely wouldn’t want to bump into anyone I know because I’d be obliged to chat instead of work. If it’s a stranger, it’s all the worse (and I do seem to attract talkative strangers).
I like to work at home where I can get other household chores done, wear anything I like, sit on my own comfortable and clean furniture, eat my own food, and not have to lug any muggable, breakable equipment out of the house. What about you? Do you like to do work in Starbucks or other public places?
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yeah i tried studying at starbucks’ too and it doesn’t work. it’s too loud and disruptive! it just seemed “cool”…only to find out that it’s actually pretty dumb…:\
I go out once a week to study Japanese at a local coffee shop. I’m not using a laptop, just books and notebooks. I go in the evening when it’s not that busy anyway, but I’ve studied in bars–the noise does’t bother me, I just tune it out. Benefit of growing up in a family of 8 kids! Plus, it’s a lot quieter than trying to study at home, haha. At least none of the coffeehouse noise is directed towards me.
Most places around here that offer WiFi have it for free, you just need to actually buy something. Brian has occasionally taken his laptop to a coffeehouse to work just to get out of the house and have a change of scenery (he works from home). But almost always we go to small local shops which are generally quieter. I worked at a local coffee shop for years before I met Brian and I still feel guilty if I patronize a chain coffee store such as Starbucks
I don’t get the attraction, either. I, too, need spread-out room. And if I am writing (as opposed to crunching number or some other task that does not require creativity), I need quiet. There are too many distractions in public, unless you are at a library. I’m with Laurina: it’s a “cool” thing unless you happen to be traveling and that is your only wi-fi opportunity.
I don’t get why so many people like to work out in public either. I find it particularly frustrating when I stop at our local coffee shop with the boys and then get dirty looks from the people with their laptops taking up 90% of the seating. If you want to control your environment, go home!
And I can’t work in my pajamas at Starbuck’s either!
half my thesis was written at a Starbucks or a Coffee Bean! Here the connection is free and I find home a far bigger distraction. The bed, the TV, parents asking for this and that but mostly the bed!
I generally don’t put out a spread as most of my research materials are now downloadable from our e-library. Only my final two weeks of finishing up did you see a spreadout!
I don’t like working, period.
Here, Panera is the free wi-fi joint of preference. I actually will go there with a book or a journal (the kind you actually use a pen and not a keyboard to write in) and sit with coffee. I’m pretty good at being anti-social and unwelcoming when I get that rare moment out of the house by myself.
The only time I’ve been online in public was in a hotel lobby during a layover. I kept looking around to see if anyone was looking over my shoulder. Needless to say, I didn’t get much done!
Personally I think it would be hard to get serious work done, but I do totally get it that people who work alone all the time need some social interaction. Also I think if you live in a low-density environment (live alone, live in suburban America), you can crave that sense of “community” (tenuous) that you can get by being a regular at the local cafe.
For me personally, I live in a big city, I live with four people, three of whom demand a lot of my time, and so when I’ve got a chance to be alone, I relish it.
A library (preferably of a university type) is about as public as I get—-most of my computing happens in my office or at home, within earshot of Charlie.
Who wants to pay at Starbucks? And the food doesn’t even look as good as it might—never mind the so-so taste!
Since my laptop is new, I think it’d be fun to TAKE it somewhere, but I wouldn’t pay for internet-there are some free wi-fi spots here, though. I think the advantage of going somewhere to work would be to get away from the distractions of home-like housework or tv or the kids. Alas, I don’t really have any reason to WORK on the computer, I guess this post doesn’t really apply to me, now does it?!!
I actually get a lot done if I go to a Starbucks, City Brew, Barnes & Noble, etc. I’ve never had anyone try to chat with me when I’ve been typing. I don’t tend to have a lot of books and papers that would need spreading around, so I only need room for a drink and my laptop. I do prefer to find a spot near an outlet, so I don’t have to rely on battery power.
I don’t go to these places to be online. Ever. If I’m going to be online, I’ll log in through our home network. I go to these places so I can type without my family constantly interrupting me, or being distracted by all the house projects that could be getting worked on.
I have a house full of boys, and all the noise that goes with it. Coffeeshops aren’t really any different when it comes to noise. What they do allow, is for me to ignore the noise without bad consequence. Since I’m not connecting to the ‘net, I also have more incentive to stay focused on writing.
When I say writing, I mean books and stories.
laurina: We used to go to Lyon’s or Denny’s to “study.” Got no work done there either. lol
Donna: I can understand it if you’re in a busy household! BTW, so nice to see you here.
Sheila: You have the ultimate home office set-up!
Abigail: What?! I can’t believe those people would dare to give you dirty looks. On the other hand, remember that article last year that ticked everyone off? The one where some coffee shops banned kids?
MJ: Sure you could! If you don’t mind getting stared at….
Smitha: Wow! Really? You must have amazing powers of concentration.
Kerri: Paper and pen? What era are you from anyway?!
LG: lol Glad I’m not the only paranoid one.
Jill: I think if I had the internet, I could easily go without human interaction for a good long while.
Kristina: I pay for Starbucks because I like their almond syrup! Which they’ve discontinued in Singapore…
Mari: Isn’t it funny how so many of us have laptops but they don’t actually go much further than from one room to another? Still, I can’t imagine working on a desktop anymore!
Deb: I can picture you full of concentration writing away with a BIG cup of coffee next to you.
Prefer to WAH in my own home for sure – warm, cosy, IT enabled and, fingers crossed so far, a mug/robbery/burglary free zone and involves 0 minute commute which is by far the very best aspect. Also browsing blogs via Blackberry tucked up with duvet is a winner all round.
Kindest Regards
A