WiFi enabled coffee and conversation friendly places have become nomad offices for many self-employed, places to drink coffee and get work done. Working at a coffee shop or bookstore doesn’t change the tasks at hand nor does it transform them into a group project, but working solo in a setting where others are doing the same can make one feel less lonely.
And let’s not forget that the people you encounter and the conversations you have while working may ultimately have a positive affect on your final product. Ideas can be shared, knowledge transfered, and contacts made.
Not all caffeinated conversation friendly places are conducive to office work though. I have visited plenty where a password is required to access the Internet and signs are placed on tables asking customers to be considerate about the amount of time seated. Don’t let this anger you. Coffee shops and the like are businesses; they exist to serve and make money.
If you arrive at 8am in the morning and buy only one drink throughout the day, don’t be surprised if the Barista looks you over a few times. If you plan on working at the same place on a weekly basis, consider buying more than one drink and maybe even a snack. Or simply leave a reasonable tip. When free WiFi is available, understand that it’s only free for the user; it’s costing the company.
8 Comments
I will be working from home (going self employed, finally!) starting on July 1st and have already started to think about what I can do to get the facetime that I will no longer have because of working from home. Coffee shops are first on my list.
@Aaron Congrats! Coffee shops are definitely the way to go, especially those that have large tables, plenty of outlets, and a lot of light.
Thank you! yes, the Starbucks that I go to every week has just that! Large tables, outlets, and great natural light!
@Aaron What has your Starbucks WiFi experience been?
It has been good actually…once I connect. That seems to be the hardest part. But once connected, it’s pretty reliable for the most part.
@Aaron If I recall correctly, Starbucks uses T-Mobile HotSpots.
Yes, they do. Are you thinking it may be worth looking into if I go often enough?
@Aaron I’m not very familiar with it. I generally go to coffee shops that offer free WiFi.