Jackson Heights Life

Is there proper etiquette about how long you can sit in a coffee shop after you finish eating?  I don't drink coffee so I don't frequent these establishments but today I wanted to check out either Expresso 77 or Starbucks since they both look very inviting.  I just wanted something lite to eat and in both places people who were finished eating were either reading or on their laptops.  Because of this there were no empty tables so I left each place and got a very nice sandwich at Ricky's cafe (my first time there). 

Honestly, people who occupy tables long after they have finished their coffee AND see new patrons entering a full establishment should really get up and leave, or purchase something else to justify occupying the space for more time. It's unfair to the owner who needs customers to stay in business, unfair to other patrons, and horribly inconsiderate. So friggin annoy, I swear.

If any of you remember Rudy Greco's coffee shop on 37th between 79th and 80th - he once shared with some folks I know that he made very little money because people would come into his shop and camp out. As full as a place may look, if people are not buying things, the place is at risk. Rents on 37th street and vicinity are high - we all know this. These wonderful shops and restaurants that we like to patronize are only in business if they sell things.

 It is frustrating when people stay and prevent others from enjoying their coffee and pastry.  It should not matter who owns the shop.  Respect is respect.

Regardless of whether you're there to read or work on your laptop, I think it would be rude to expect someone to rush through their meal just because you're waiting to be seated.  I know I would never rush my meal, but if I do see that there is someone waiting to be seated, and I am finished with my meal, I will gladly leave rather than linger.  I would hope that the same courtesy be extended to me if the shoe was on the other foot.  What I absolutely hate is when a restaurant owner/manager makes every attempt to rush a customer.  And I'm very sympathetic with the fact that money has to be made, but I consider it in poor taste when you receive the check before you even take the last bite or consider ordering a dessert for that matter.

It's also important to remember that coffee shops in general, and Starbucks in particular, strive to sell themselves as a "third place"- not home, not work but that third place where you feel comfortable and want to spend a lot of your time (and eventually money). A "home away from home" if you would. The feeling that you couldn't spend as much time as you wanted there is counter intuitive to the concept (though perhaps not to common courtesy). Corporations (and I would assume to a lesser extent small business owners) that strive for this ideal want a customer to feel comfortable and welcome- hence the chairs the couches, the soft lighting- and like they're in their own home (or a good friend's home).

I would love for one of the local bars to be my third place... maybe we'll work at hanging out at the Ready Penny a bit more!/hijack

I have NO qualms about asking if I can share a table. It's just not right to hog a table if there are spare chairs at it.

I wonder how the new e77 computer policy is working out? 

If the place is still packed with laptops...is it because (1) the barristas are not or are unwilling to enforce their new policy, OR (2) laptop users are indeed getting up every so ofter to purchase more drinks OR (3) both?  If so, then how does this improve the situation?!? 

I can totally understand why the management/barristas don't want to get involved in throwing people out of the shop...I read the "third place" article too, and it does seem like e77 is set up to be that kind of place. 

I still kind of like the idea of only allowing 3 laptops in the shop at any given time.  That way, laptop users will police themselves...incoming laptop customers will naturally "push" out the sitting laptop users...its a simple self-policing method that doesn't involve the shop proprietors being stern with any particular customer!  Other customers without laptops and looking for a place to sit won't have to compete with laptop users either...well, because there can be only 3 laptops in the shop at any given time...simple as ONE, TWO, and THREE.  Oh well, what do I know about running a coffee shop...clearly e77 did their research on the subject.