This morning, I found this lovely newsbit on Twitter: Some coffeehouses in NYC are pulling the plug on laptop users. Then, I had some Twitter conversation with Brian and Kyle* on the issue and then some more reactions on Facebook, as I posted the article link to my “wall.” For the past few years, I have made decisions about which coffee houses I go to based on if they offer WIFI. In fact, I am writing this post from Starbucks, from which I get all the WIFI I want while I’m here. Which brings me to another subject.
WIFI is a perk the cafe owners offer to their customers. Even if it’s a small expense compared to other business-related ones, the owners have gone out of their way to provide something their customers like. Coffeehouses have operated quite fine without laptops or access to the Internet for a long time and they could still continue if they didn’t. One point that Brian brought up is that people have come to feel entitled to having WIFI, like they do many other things. The reality check is that coffee shop are running a business, not a public service. They don’t have to do it.
The public libraries, however, do provide free WIFI as a public service. Perhaps because it frees up computers to be used by patrons who don’t have ones of their own. This facilitates searching the library catalog and Internet research for everyone. Cafes, on the other hand, only have an obligation to serve the best coffee for the buck.
One thing that complicates the simple purpose of the coffee house is that it has a long tradition of being used beyond the simple function of getting a cup of coffee. Many gather to have conversation, whether with friends or the strangers they meet. Others come to do things by their lonesome in a public place, and this is where laptops come in. Many writers like to come in with their notebooks (and now laptops) and scribble away on their Great American Novel. Some published writers have actually done that, even if their work isn’t great nor American nor both. Then there are the people who come in to read a book with a cup of Joe, though a home coffee brewer and a nice arm chair might be adequate for them. Definitely part of being alone but not alone. Then there are the students** who come in and study, by themselves or in groups, and the same go for business people. All of the above often have laptops in their possession.
One could easily point to any or all of the above as part of the coffeehouse tradition. If all one needed is a cup of coffee, one has many options for making one at home, which often has mixed results. However, as previously mentioned, these venues exist for various activities. However, the patrons have some responsibility if they want a place to use their books, journals, or laptops. Perhaps some business owners operate their establishments out of the goodness of their hearts, but most are trying to make money, even if they have a love for coffee. Making the decisions to ban laptops during certain hours or altogether are decisions they made for their business, whether we like it or not. Perhaps the few bad customers are why everyone else suffers. Being a good customer by buying coffee and goodies and being gracious go a long way to helping the cafe owner. Some money’s spent, atmosphere is enhanced, and then using a laptop or some other time consuming device (such as a book) isn’t such a problem. One thing laptop users can do to help everyone else is to not wear out their welcome – keep the visits much shorter and sweeter. Having the owner happy to see you goes a long way.
*Unlike Brian, Kyle doesn’t stay in one digital place for too long. This seems to be a thematic decision for his blogs.
**Some coffeehouses had to deal with students and their effects on their business.
Tags: coffee, laptop computers, Wall Street Journal, WIFI
I was pondering the ROI on public wifi the other day while sitting in Panera. My wifi hadn’t yet been set up at my new home, so I used Panera as my official wifi place of choice. I’m wondering, does it really cost that much to have wifi? It seems like a $50/month venture + the $30 router to provide a value-added service that separates one coffeeshop from the next.
Personally, I think that if cities would provide free wifi, they would be making a pretty big gesture toward education, while encouraging businesses to be more creative in the luring of clients.
All that said, I will go to a place with free wifi before its wifi-free counterpart every single time.
GranDiva´s last blog ..Death of a saleswoman
Well said. I can talk–in a coffeehouse, no less–about this issue for quite a while and I am happy to do so. But my main points are that, as you said, the free access to internet is a perk. And that people have left home to be alone in a public place for a long while.
If I lived in a “college town,” I might feel differently because there would be a fun (crunchy, free-spirited) coffeehouse available to visit. But unfortunately the urban landscape brings places like Starbucks and the “little guy” that’s struggling to keep up with the Starbucks. Respect the business and they’ll respect you. I’m working or commuting during the “busy” hours in the week, so this is rarely an issue for me. But as a customer who sometimes just wants to sit, enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with friends, it is really a turn-off to walk into a coffee house and see that there are no seats available because the laptop brigade is taking them all up. It takes public privacy to the extreme.
Honestly, haven’t these people “studying” ever heard of a library?
urban bohemian´s last blog ..coffee: new neighborhood, clean slate?
I often try to do what I can to be a good customer. As one of the WIFI users, the whole discussion has made me think about being a better customer. Hopefully, what I say in the post will help others think about that too. In the future, I think I’ll ask fellow WIFI users if I can share their table, as it frees up space for people who want to sit down for a cup of coffee and chat.
I think they know about the library. I hope so. They can’t bring their drinks there, though. Libraries, though, are an excellent public service and are in great need of support.
Hi Shin,
I think the main problem these coffee shops are facing is people setting up shop at the store. Since it is easy to just be there all day and use the wifi and not move on.
while it is important to accomodate the legitimate needs of your customers, and provide a quality experience to bring patrons back, I can see it getting frustrating for the shop owner to have people using tables and hanging out all day on the computer conducting business of their own.
ultimately I think the main point of a coffee shop is to sell coffee and tea. Internet cafes are more for cyber squatters.
BTW in Tokyo there is a starbucks on every corner, but Seattle’s Best Coffee is in Shinjuku.
andrew´s last blog ..Wednesday, August 12, 2009