5 Etiquette Tips - The Coffee ShopToday’s 5 etiquette tips will help all of you independent, creative, business people, who call the coffee shop your office.

For many entrepreneurs and independent business owners, as well as those of us that work from home, the local coffee shop has become our favorite office home away from home.  I am just like you, and often have a “kneecap to kneecap” meeting at the local cafe.  It’s a place where we are so comfortable, that we often forget that it is not our home.  The best etiquette practices for conducting business from the local coffee shop depend on one underlying principal of etiquette and that is “Be considerate of others.”  Here are my five etiquette tips to rule coffee shop etiquette like a boss:

  1. Be aware of your noise level.  If calls are loud or long, it is considerate to take these calls outside.
  2. Leave your work space cleaner than you found it. Always clear any trash off the table. It’s also considerate to wipe off the table from crumbs and any wet spots.
  3. Allow space for others.  Try not to take up a table four four if a table for two will do.  Especially during busy times of the day.
  4. Don’t hog the electrical outlet.  It’s easy when you are lost in the work at had to forget that others may need to charge their devices.  Extra points if you carry a power strip in your bag.
  5. Last but not least, always make a purchase. Remember the coffee shop or cafe is a business, and if you want it to be there the next time you are looking for an office space, it’s important to support their business by making a purchase.

Most importantly be aware of your surroundings and be sure to treat your “co-workers” at the local coffee shop with respect and consideration.

Patricia Rossi