Coffee shop etiquette

[Dr Jekyll]

For how long is it acceptable for someone to occupy a table after finishing their coffee? I went into Costa this morning hoping to find a table so I could read my paper while drinking my coffee and noticed that 2 people on a table by the window had an empty cup each. They were still there once I'd collected my drink, I found the one vacant table, stayed until I'd finished my coffee and they were still there, still with empty cups when I'd left.

Surely you drink your drink before it gets cold, then buy another if you still want to sit there.

[StuntmanMike]

First world problems, no?

[singlecoil]

Some people will sit it out, because it's convenient for them, until they are asked to move. If you asked them they would say they hadn't realised they were causing a problem, and in many cases that would be true, and in the rest it would be because they didn't care.

[wildcat45]

I read somewhere once that some fast food outlets have things like fixed chairs and tables so not to make customers feel too comfortable. Just comfy enough for you eat, then go.

"Shake, fries, powder, they're gone." As Mark Knopfler wrote in a song about the fast food industry.

[Lozw86]

Different tempos of music are widely used in the fast food restaurant industry to influence the speed that people eat etc

Faster music during busy times to get the crowds through. Slower music to keep bums on seats

In response to the original question.. If there are clearly people looking for a table and you have finished eating / drinking the reasonable thing to do is get up and go, or at least offer up your seat.

[ambuletz]

Galleons reach (east london) used to have a Borders, within it upstairs there was a Starbucks. I know 2 of my friends used to sometimes grab a book from the Borders downstairs and spend the day reading them up in starbucks

[soad]

ambuletz said:

Galleons reach (east london) used to have a Borders, within it upstairs there was a Starbucks. I know 2 of my friends used to sometimes grab a book from the Borders downstairs and spend the day reading them up in starbucks

Unemployed or students?

[ambuletz]

at the time we was rather young, so 6th form & uni students.

[IanMorewood]

Doesnt surprise me, hence why you pay £3 for a cup of pretty average coffee.

[Petrol Only]

In the nice coffee shops I use. (Don't drink coffee). Just ask one of usually very friendly patrons to share. Never had a problem yet.

Obviously going to the wrong coffee shops

[soad]

Petrol Only said:

In the nice coffee shops I use. (Don't drink coffee). Just ask one of usually very friendly patrons to share. Never had a problem yet.

Obviously going to the wrong coffee shops

Amsterdam.

[ecsrobin]

Or they were staying and going to have another coffee and a bit of cake later on.