Coffee Office Etiquette
I usually have a good momentum to get things done in my "office" but there are days and some times weeks where I have to physically be elsewhere if I'm going to tackle anything on my short list. Like perhaps these past few weeks as an example? Yes. I find myself coming to a local coffee shop for a good drink, free wifi and uninterrupted time to focus and accomplish my tasks. However it gets pretty hard to do all of that wonderful-ness when distractions are every where. Here's a few of the tips I've picked up on when working in a public space (that is NOT an office, and should be treated as such.)
One. Earphone clues.
When there are ear buds in your ears you're sending a message; I'm busy, focused and not available. If you're attentive to those around you and spy someone you know or an acquaintance at the counter it's your job to make the contact (or remove the buds) in order to make conversation. If you have just one ear bud in, you're saying - I'm here and could be interrupted if needed, but prefer to keep working. No ear buds? Well I hope you can drown out the mood-music of the coffee house, constant chatter from other guests and constant "Oh hey!'s". Without your ear buds your attention span is anyone's guess ... and folks will be guessing.
Two. Conversation contempt.
Uh huh. The chatty college kids just told the. most. hilarious. joke. IN THE WORLD. You're going to be subject to the on-going inside joke. Here's where earbuds help. Without them you end up making constant eye contact with co-eds but they're not getting your message of "RUDE" because they do not care.
Three. Golden rule.
Everyone has something that rubs them the wrong way when operating in a public space. Don't take phone calls within ear shot of other guests. And use appropriate volume if it's a must. (But please, take your calls outside.) Turn the volume on your phone down or to vibrate. Texting is great but hearing the bell or ring or ding or jingle or ... you get it ... after every incoming text is annoying. Be the neighborly conversationalist you'd enjoy if you were working next to a coffee-date. Buy a drink! And an hour later, buy another one! Taking up a seat in a coffee house for an entire day with only purchasing a $3 drink once is hard on business. Not for you? Sure. But being polite to the business you frequent only works in your favor later.
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