Keep conversations brief, quiet in cafe
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By Sherlyn Kim
The Coffee Shop is my office! It’s no secret that coffee culture has gone mainstream in Korea. You can see coffee shops anywhere and everywhere, especially in Seoul. Owners don’t mind if a competitor is just across the street or a block away.
After a meeting last Thursday, I decided to drop by one of my favorite cafes in Yeouido, Seoul, to get a cup of its special hot chocolate. Upon entering, I was bothered by a man who looked like he had moved into that coffee shop.
He was using two tables, had files all over and he had around two or three dirty cups around him. But maybe that was his plan. Like everybody else, I sat as far away from him as I could.
Here are some etiquette tips for you to observe if you wish to work or hang out in a coffee shop or cafe.
1. Spend money
One cup of coffee could be your ticket to work for maybe an hour. Coffee shops are affected by turnover too; if for example you are not going to cafe for work and you know that it will be full of people not getting up from their work, and there may not be a seat, you will probably choose a different shop. That coffee shop just lost business due to a low turnover of tables.
2. Be cautious of rush hour
High volume times equals more seats needed and more opportunities for table turnover. If you plan to work in a cafe, do it off-peak time for maximum consideration.
3. Share bandwidth
Don’t download huge files or stream movies for hours. It uses a lot of bandwidth that should be shared among everyone. If you know that you’ll need to download a large file, try to do that at home or at work before you get to a coffee shop so as not to slow down the Internet for everyone else. And if you’re just watching movies maybe you better go home.
4. Take one chair and the smallest table available
If that happens to be a large table, offer to share until someone accepts. Don’t wait for others to ask and please do not cover the table surface with papers in hopes that no one will bother you. As soon as a smaller table opens up, you should move.
5. Leave chairs free
If the space is busy, your bag goes on the floor, not a nearby chair. That way, other people can use the chair without interrupting you. If you’d like someone to clear a laptap bag, so you can sit, please say it properly. “Excuse me, is someone sitting here?” or “Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
6. Avoid noise pollution
Switch your phone to vibrate and take calls outside. If that’s not possible, keep conversations brief and quiet. Also mute the sound of your computer, or wear headphones. Please watch your voice tone especially if you are talking to your friends and get carried away with your emotions.
7. Hang up
The barista is not a vending machine. Put away your phone while ordering.
Many workers today are working remotely. By encouraging telecommuting, companies reduce their need for office space and often gain productivity from their workers and workers gain flexibility and eliminate their commuting time.
Here is a question about telecommuting from a participant in the workshop I did few days ago.
Dear Ms. Etiquette,
I am a mother of three with a toddler. I am new to the work place and I have a long commute. I think I want to telecommute to be flexible and be more productive and of course spend more time with my family. How do I properly approach my boss?
Kim Chang-sugi, Pyeongtaek
Dear Ms. Kim,
Before you approach your boss about telecommuting, create a well-thought plan about how you can successfully accomplish your work from home. But you have to bear in mind that there is a lot to learn by being in an office, especially since you are just starting your career in this company. You can meet more people; learn more about other jobs within the company and workplace.
An alternative to telecommuting may be to change your working hours so the commute is less stressful. You could also turn the long commute into a positive: listen to audio books if you’re driving, or read a book or study for a course if you’re using a public transportation.
Whether your office is really at home or WiFi equipped coffee shop such as Starbucks, you need to be professional in interacting with potential customers or clients, colleagues and bosses. Please do not be like the gentleman I described above. You need to maintain a business image whenever you are.
The Manners & Etiquette column is written by Sherlyn Kim, a certified international etiquette consultant and trainer. She is CEO of Molly Manners Korea (https://www.mollymanners.co.kr), a leading manners and etiquette institute. Readers are encouraged to send their questions about manners, etiquette and social skills to the author (sherlyn@mollymanners.com).