'At least spend $20': The unspoken etiquette of working remotely in a café

One of the joys of WFH is sometimes it can be WFC – Work From Café. In today's digital nomad era, coffee shops have become makeshift offices for many people. They offer a cosy vibe, endless caffeine, and sometimes, the gentle hum of background noise is just right for productivity.But how long is too long when turning your local café into your personal office?This question recently became headline news in New Zealand when a journalist was asked to leave a café after working there for just an hour.READ MORE: The simple fashion choice that shows a generational divideWhile there are no official rules for how long you can work from a café, the consensus among both patrons and café workers seems to hinge on common sense and courtesy. But it seems not everyone is polite, and some act with a sense of entitlement.Michael, who works at Chutney Café in the Hawkesbury, says some remote workers are just plain rude."We had a guy come in at midday, sat down with his laptop and only ordered a coffee, took up a table and chair for two people and we had to turn paying customers away," he tells 9honey."It was so busy, and he just sat there through the whole thing. And then when it got to about two o'clock, when it started to quieten down, he got up, packed up his laptop, came and paid for single coffee and walked out.READ MORE: 'Too much work': Why Shelly has given up on dinner party milestone"For God's sake, I was furious."They key point to remember is a café is a business, not a coworking space. So, if you're using the free Wi-Fi and table space you need to pay for the privilege. "Paying your rent" in coffee and snacks is café-working etiquette. Michael agrees with this unwritten café code."I think if you are using our café as an office, you should at least spend about 20 bucks and not do it in the middle of lunch. Come early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it's not as busy," he says.At Custard Canteen in Tallebudgera, Brittany's approach is similar."If you are planning to work for a while, at least order lunch and a couple of coffees, that's fine," she says.READ MORE: Flights to bucket list destination now cheaper than ever"It's just the ones that have one coffee and sit on it for hours who get on people's nerves."So be conscious of how busy the café is, how much you're ordering, and how much space you're occupying. "We really don't mind much if someone decides to work from here," says Madelaine, a seasoned café worker from Canvas Café in Palm Beach."It's nice to see our place buzzing with activity, as long as it's not busy and no one's waiting for a table, we're pretty flexible."Brittany adds, "We love having people fill our space. If it's busy though, we appreciate if those staying longer could be mindful of others waiting."I do uni assignments in cafes, so I see if from both sides, but if I was at another cafe, I'd definitely keep an eye on how busy they are and adjust how long I stay accordingly."It's also important to remember customers are there to eat and drink, not overhear your meetings.Madelaine does put a few boundaries in for those who do Zoom meetings or conference calls. "I'd suggest taking it outside or to a more private space like a park, especially if it's a lengthy call," she says.Michael is a hard no on work calls and Zoom calls: "If someone was on a work Zoom call, I'd casually make sure there'll be a lot of 'accidental' interruptions."READ MORE: The 'simple question' Shelly asked herself after medical emergency put her in the ICUCafés are community hubs, but remember they are also running a small businesses. They thrive on a good atmosphere and repeat customers who respect the space.For remote workers, this means balancing the need for a work spot with the café's need to serve more customers, especially during peak hours.If you're planning to stay for more than a couple of hours, a lunch purchase or a few snack breaks can go a long way in maintaining goodwill with the café staff.Whether you're a digital nomad or just changing your work-from-home scenery, respecting these simple guidelines can make sure that both your productivity and your welcome stay as warm as the coffee served.FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.