Since
many of us enjoy spending time in our local coffee houses, we should consider
how our behavior might affect other coffee addicts who share the same space. After all, for many of us, this outing is our
brain tidy; a time to get away from work and other stresses of our lives.
To
borrow a phrase from one coffee house, “It is not just coffee,
it is an experience.” Yet, to some, it
is an extension of their office. Nevertheless,
to all of us, this is a shared space and not one that belongs to us.
No Blatant Table Swooping
Recently,
as I sat with my decaf java in an overly crowded shop, I noticed a blatant
social gaff. The affectionate couple sitting
next to me — affectionate
in a positive sense, not slobbering please-get-a-room sense — was preparing to
leave. As they gathered their
belongings, an abrupt young man swooped in for the kill. No actual bloodletting, unless we consider
his now tattered reputation.
He
snatched the table without so much as “I can’t believe my luck; are you two
leaving?” Nope. He sat down, tossing his belongings in front
of the empty table next to him. The
couple stood dumbfounded, mouths open, stared for a second, and left. …great example of a “Please don’t.”
So,
what are some other do (s) and don’t-even-think-about-it (s)? Please consider the following.
Please
Do Not
Infringe
on other’s space by spreading out your belongings. Stay in your space.
Sneak
a peek at other’s computer screens.
Swoop
in. If it appears as if someone is
leaving, ask politely.
Grab
newspapers left from others without asking those around you if they mind.
Blow
your nose in public. Use the
restroom.
Laugh
loudly or do anything else that is loud for that matter.
Please
Do
Treat
the employees with respect. These
cheerful people are there to serve you, but they are not below any of us.
Parent! Parenting includes keeping children in their
seats and not running around. This is an
excellent time to teach ‘respecting property and people’.
Gentlemen,
if accompanied by a lady, treat her as such.
Simple gestures as offering her a chair before sitting down are
noticed—very positive.
Hold
doors for others and thank those who open and hold them for you.
Cell Phone
Users
Do
not talk on your cell phone when ordering your brew.
Take
your Blue Tooth devise out of your ear when with others. You are not part of the Star Trek crew.
When
talking on your cell phone, do so quietly.
Do not disturb those around you.
Mute
when with others. Those in your company
are more important than an incoming call or notification.
In Conclusion
Coffee
houses are a great place to meet and greet.
In fact, it is a great place to meet your next date, which is not news
to most. So, knowing this, ladies might want
to dress as if they are going out dancing.
Uh…no. Disturbing those around us
also includes the visual. Revealing the
assets just may be a bit much for those who just want their caffeine fix.
More
by The Polite One
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Conflicts by Following These Simple Bike and Bike Path Etiquette Rules
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