Comments on: Rules for Working in Cafes http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes the inteserection of geek and money Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:05:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Scot http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-329 Scot Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:16:33 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-329 I'm a waiter working in New Zealand. In NZ the tip is built into a staff member's pay, and patrons are encouraged not to tip in kiwi venues (it's even in the 'welcome' brochures on international flights). That said, as a waiter I certainly don't object to receiving a tip. This has only ever happened after weddings though. Just an aside. I'm a waiter working in New Zealand.

In NZ the tip is built into a staff member's pay, and patrons are encouraged not to tip in kiwi venues (it's even in the 'welcome' brochures on international flights).

That said, as a waiter I certainly don't object to receiving a tip. This has only ever happened after weddings though.

Just an aside.

]]> By: Corie http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-325 Corie Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:41:36 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-325 I have to disagree with "the waitress" on this one. I've been a waitress in quite a few different places. In AZ they only pay 3.13 an hour to waitresses and tips [are supposed to] supplement up to minimum wage, though they are expected to make a lot more. So is not a good idea to skip the tip, ever, that is how most wait staff pay the bills. I'm not big on coffee shops, after being a waitress constantly waiting for people to leave so I can clean the table and seat the next customers it feels weird just to sit and internet. I have to disagree with "the waitress" on this one. I've been a waitress in quite a few different places. In AZ they only pay 3.13 an hour to waitresses and tips [are supposed to] supplement up to minimum wage, though they are expected to make a lot more. So is not a good idea to skip the tip, ever, that is how most wait staff pay the bills.
I'm not big on coffee shops, after being a waitress constantly waiting for people to leave so I can clean the table and seat the next customers it feels weird just to sit and internet.

]]> By: Danger Farmer http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-324 Danger Farmer Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:34:43 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-324 Please set your cellphone ringer to vibrate. Nobody in the cafe including me is in the least fascinated by your crappy ringtone. When the call is answered, take it the hell outside if it's going to last more than one (yes, folks, one) damn minute, because nobody wants to listen to your one-sided blather any more than they want to listen to the death rattle of their first born child. As far as "watch my stuff" goes, the patron next to you is as good as anyone. Even if he or she might be feloniously inclined, the preface of "could you help me by..." works wonders. Oh, and if you think you've tipped enough, leave another one spot. Thanks, cheers Please set your cellphone ringer to vibrate. Nobody in the cafe including me is in the least fascinated by your crappy ringtone. When the call is answered, take it the hell outside if it's going to last more than one (yes, folks, one) damn minute, because nobody wants to listen to your one-sided blather any more than they want to listen to the death rattle of their first born child. As far as "watch my stuff" goes, the patron next to you is as good as anyone. Even if he or she might be feloniously inclined, the preface of "could you help me by..." works wonders. Oh, and if you think you've tipped enough, leave another one spot. Thanks, cheers

]]> By: William Lehman http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-323 William Lehman Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:55:30 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-323 Great list. Especially that last one. I am at both ends of the spectrum here. I do a lot of my online work and blogging from the coffee shop and I also work at a coffee shop. I might add one more to your list here though. Don't take up a table for six if a table for one works. Great list. Especially that last one. I am at both ends of the spectrum here. I do a lot of my online work and blogging from the coffee shop and I also work at a coffee shop.

I might add one more to your list here though. Don't take up a table for six if a table for one works.

]]> By: Mich De L Orme http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-322 Mich De L Orme Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:52:15 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-322 Ah the joy of a real place to work outside the home, a big dream when the closet thing is a McDonalds. Nothing like 30 screaming children and three of your own to watch while working. :) But at least the coffee is cheap and the web is free. Ah the joy of a real place to work outside the home, a big dream when the closet thing is a McDonalds. Nothing like 30 screaming children and three of your own to watch while working. :) But at least the coffee is cheap and the web is free.

]]> By: Max http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-321 Max Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:08:43 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-321 I suggest that if you work at Starbucks, which now has free wifi, that you use all the bandwidth you want, and buy as little coffee as you want. They're a megacorporation. Take what ever you can get. Be nice to the staff, tip well, but don't feel like you have to buy anything, because the staff isn't paid on commission. I suggest that if you work at Starbucks, which now has free wifi, that you use all the bandwidth you want, and buy as little coffee as you want. They're a megacorporation. Take what ever you can get. Be nice to the staff, tip well, but don't feel like you have to buy anything, because the staff isn't paid on commission.

]]> By: the waitress http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-320 the waitress Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:22:02 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-320 I'm a waitress and have worked in a bar, a restaurant and a cafe. All with a system of tipping that means that you get whatever management decides you get, once a month. So really, unless you are putting the money into the pocket of the waitress that retrieved the baby high chair for you promptly, don't tip. If you really must tip however (such as a tip jar) just know your money is more than likley going to management (or being spread unevenly out between staff). Frankly I do not give a stuff who sits in the cafe or what they do. As long as they do not get in the way of me cleaning, or worse make even more mess for me to clean. (Pretty much asking for anything from the wait staff that requires them to do work will only lead to fake smiles and unvoiced anger in your direction). My suggestion to avoid this would be to leave them alone as much as possible. At the end of the day, it's not my cafe, I just work there and if someone came in, sat down & started typing away I wouldn't care, even if there were no seats left for paying customers. My boss might though. I'm a waitress and have worked in a bar, a restaurant and a cafe. All with a system of tipping that means that you get whatever management decides you get, once a month. So really, unless you are putting the money into the pocket of the waitress that retrieved the baby high chair for you promptly, don't tip. If you really must tip however (such as a tip jar) just know your money is more than likley going to management (or being spread unevenly out between staff).

Frankly I do not give a stuff who sits in the cafe or what they do. As long as they do not get in the way of me cleaning, or worse make even more mess for me to clean. (Pretty much asking for anything from the wait staff that requires them to do work will only lead to fake smiles and unvoiced anger in your direction).

My suggestion to avoid this would be to leave them alone as much as possible.

At the end of the day, it's not my cafe, I just work there and if someone came in, sat down & started typing away I wouldn't care, even if there were no seats left for paying customers. My boss might though.

]]> By: dave0995 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-318 dave0995 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:36:32 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-318 After 20 years in catering, much of which has been customer service related (even though i'm a chef), tipping does matter, if you're a regular will get you certain perks as people in this trade are generally there to be accommodating (more tips) and won't regard people as condescending unless they expect to be served immediately i.e. out of turn or ask for something which will affect the other patrons experience in the establishment. Also in most cultures i have experienced (most of europe, n. america, s. america some indian ocean, australia) tipping, while not expected is certainly used to supplement a minimum wage job. With regards to watching your stuff you should always ask a member of staff to watch your things as well as a person near you as this will give you 2 sets of eyes but never any comeback as all establishments display a disclaimer. The most important thing is to be polite but friendly and you can pretty much get anything you want (again more tips) as long as you see if anyone else minds, it's a respect thing. After 20 years in catering, much of which has been customer service related (even though i'm a chef), tipping does matter, if you're a regular will get you certain perks as people in this trade are generally there to be accommodating (more tips) and won't regard people as condescending unless they expect to be served immediately i.e. out of turn or ask for something which will affect the other patrons experience in the establishment. Also in most cultures i have experienced (most of europe, n. america, s. america some indian ocean, australia) tipping, while not expected is certainly used to supplement a minimum wage job. With regards to watching your stuff you should always ask a member of staff to watch your things as well as a person near you as this will give you 2 sets of eyes but never any comeback as all establishments display a disclaimer. The most important thing is to be polite but friendly and you can pretty much get anything you want (again more tips) as long as you see if anyone else minds, it's a respect thing.

]]> By: Sheldon http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-307 Sheldon Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:42:10 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-307 I dont think any amount of tipping will assist you when you come in to someones work place and ask them to turn the music down or close the blinds, they are more than likely going to think of you as condescending, and rightly so. I dont think any amount of tipping will assist you when you come in to someones work place and ask them to turn the music down or close the blinds, they are more than likely going to think of you as condescending, and rightly so.

]]> By: Ivy http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-303 Ivy Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:29:02 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-303 I always wondered if it was okay to ask someone to "watch my stuff" and then leave my laptop while I go to the washroom. On one hand, I feel like I've established some sort of trusting vibe with the people i've been sitting around for a couple hours in the cafe, I'd like to believe if anyone tries to snatch my mac they'd say something or try to defend it in some way. On the other hand, if this really happened, how confrontational are most people anyway? If I put myself in the other person's shoes how far would i really go to defend the property of someone i don't even know well. Th other issue is when i see someone taking their laptop to the washroom I think to my self WTF?? you've been sitting around me for hours and you don't trust me with your piece of crap laptop? You think you're better than me punk???!! So I don't know, its an interesting issue. I always wondered if it was okay to ask someone to "watch my stuff" and then leave my laptop while I go to the washroom. On one hand, I feel like I've established some sort of trusting vibe with the people i've been sitting around for a couple hours in the cafe, I'd like to believe if anyone tries to snatch my mac they'd say something or try to defend it in some way. On the other hand, if this really happened, how confrontational are most people anyway? If I put myself in the other person's shoes how far would i really go to defend the property of someone i don't even know well. Th other issue is when i see someone taking their laptop to the washroom I think to my self WTF?? you've been sitting around me for hours and you don't trust me with your piece of crap laptop? You think you're better than me punk???!! So I don't know, its an interesting issue.

]]> By: Paul Long http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-300 Paul Long Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:20:03 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-300 Starbucks owns Seattles Best Coffee, and the latter has free wifi. Go figure. Also, Starbucks is rolling out free (sort of) wifi this year: http://www.starbucks.com/retail/wireless.asp Starbucks owns Seattles Best Coffee, and the latter has free wifi. Go figure. Also, Starbucks is rolling out free (sort of) wifi this year: http://www.starbucks.com/retail/wireless.asp

]]> By: JB http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-299 JB Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:11:20 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-299 Tip well. Tip well. Tip well. Your renting that space for pennies on the dollar. Tip well. Tip well. Tip well.

Your renting that space for pennies on the dollar.

]]> By: Dan Gtdagenda http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-287 Dan Gtdagenda Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:48:52 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-287 Great tips thanks. I didn't know why Starbucks doesn't have wireless internet. :) Great tips thanks.

I didn't know why Starbucks doesn't have wireless internet. :)

]]> By: paul http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-248 paul Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:45:56 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-248 i would also say that if you are going to work in cafes that you better be very vigilant of security. if you're going to be doing lots of work that is sensitive, i would consider running all traffic thru a proxy of some sort. i've been in cafes just to test how well ppl do with that. let's just say that most folks don't have a clue. it's a big security issue. i would also say that if you are going to work in cafes that you better be very vigilant of security. if you're going to be doing lots of work that is sensitive, i would consider running all traffic thru a proxy of some sort. i've been in cafes just to test how well ppl do with that. let's just say that most folks don't have a clue. it's a big security issue.

]]> By: Bob Younce at the Writing Journey http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes/comment-page-1#comment-233 Bob Younce at the Writing Journey Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:32:17 +0000 http://www.geekpreneur.com/rules-for-working-in-cafes#comment-233 Excellent common-sense advice that too many of my brethren and sistern can't seem to get. Good form! Excellent common-sense advice that too many of my brethren and sistern can't seem to get.

Good form!

]]>