Poll
Question:
Assume you walk into into Starbucks and want to take a seat. Would you:
Option 1: take a free seat at an otherwise occupied table.
votes: 1
Option 2: take a free seat at an otherwise occupied table, but only if there were no free tables.
votes: 17
Option 3: take a free seat only at an unoccupied table or at the bar.
votes: 19
Option 4: Sit next to them, and make silent farts. Then walk away.
votes: 1
Ok, maybe it's me but I have encountered people - usually foreigners - who would attempt to take a seat at my table while there are other free tables, since I am alone and thus apparently would not mind to have someone at my table.
WTF is with that? How rude. :mad:
So this question is aimed at determining whether we have people like this on this board too. :P
I used Starbucks as an example of the type of establishment I mean - which is somewhere between McDonald's and a restaurant.
In America virtually nobody is going to take a free seat at a table with a complete stranger. I think here we'd assume such a person was mentally ill. My understanding is that in some countries, people do that all the time though and it's cool.
Quote from: Caliga on January 03, 2010, 06:19:44 AM
In America virtually nobody is going to take a free seat at a table with a complete stranger. I think here we'd assume such a person was mentally ill. My understanding is that in some countries, people do that all the time though and it's cool.
Another proof that Poland is like America. :P
We are religious, like individualism and the entrepreneurial spirit, tend towards mild libertarianism, distrust the government and dislike strangers. :P
People usually wouldn't sit down at an occupied table here either. Maybe if the place was full and there are only free chairs at occupied tables.
Quote from: Martinus on January 03, 2010, 06:20:30 AM
We are religious, like individualism and the entrepreneurial spirit, tend towards mild libertarianism, distrust the government and dislike strangers. :P
Interesting. One thing we do not do in America, however, is put screen doors on submarines. :)
Quote from: Caliga on January 03, 2010, 06:23:07 AM
Quote from: Martinus on January 03, 2010, 06:20:30 AM
We are religious, like individualism and the entrepreneurial spirit, tend towards mild libertarianism, distrust the government and dislike strangers. :P
Interesting. One thing we do not do in America, however, is put screen doors on submarines. :)
But you lynch the blacks. :P
People who hang out at tables in coffee shops are attention whores anyway, so fuck 'em.
Only the insane choose an occupied table over an unoccupied one.
Weird behaviour by English standards too. What nationality are these foreigners you mention?
Not sure. The guy looks Scandinavian to me. He is about 50-60, with a laptop and looks like some crazy hippy backpacker person.
He's probably gay.
Quote from: The Brain on January 03, 2010, 06:31:30 AM
He's probably gay.
Think he was hitting on me? Well, that would explain it.
Quote from: Caliga on January 03, 2010, 06:19:44 AM
In America virtually nobody is going to take a free seat at a table with a complete stranger. I think here we'd assume such a person was mentally ill. My understanding is that in some countries, people do that all the time though and it's cool.
Well, if there were no unoccupied tables, I would, but I would ask the person already at the table if I they minded first.
Quote from: Martinus on January 03, 2010, 06:24:05 AM
But you lynch the blacks. :P
:secret:
He was insulting Polish intelligence there.
(Been looking for an excuse to use that smilie. :D)
If there's no free tables left I will - though I ask first.
If there are no free tables I'd go somewhere else or get takeaway. Don't really want to sit in a starbucks anyway.
meh....
Don't drink coffee and I hate people I don't know.
Quote from: syk on January 03, 2010, 06:21:49 AM
People usually wouldn't sit down at an occupied table here either. Maybe if the place was full and there are only free chairs at occupied tables.
This.
Although I (and I think this goes for a lot of Swedes in general) will generally choose another establishment if there are no empty tables.
Quote from: Slargos on January 03, 2010, 07:56:19 AM
Quote from: syk on January 03, 2010, 06:21:49 AM
People usually wouldn't sit down at an occupied table here either. Maybe if the place was full and there are only free chairs at occupied tables.
This.
Although I (and I think this goes for a lot of Swedes in general) will generally choose another establishment if there are no empty tables.
If there is a similar one in the vicinity. Btw, the same goes for an establishment with
only empty tables.
You sit at a table you own the table. Nobody else can sit there.
Even to ask you if they can sit there is very weird and only to be done in the most dire of circumstances. To do it without asking is insanity.
Only if there is no empty table. And I would ask as well.
That been said, I do find weird how reserved you guys are in most circumstances. Guess it's the lack of sunshine.
I'm amused by the fuckers wanting the ketchup bottle on the table. FUCK YOU, YOU WHORE. Ask the shitty staff, bitch.
Quote from: Iormlund on January 03, 2010, 08:25:33 AM
Only if there is no empty table. And I would ask as well.
That been said, I do find weird how reserved you guys are in most circumstances. Guess it's the lack of sunshine.
The personal sphere is a lot more powerful here than in a lot of other countries, it's just how we roll.
I think it's a general population density cultural thing more than anything else.
Quote from: Iormlund on January 03, 2010, 08:25:33 AM
Only if there is no empty table. And I would ask as well.
That been said, I do find weird how reserved you guys are in most circumstances. Guess it's the lack of sunshine.
I'm English and I agree it's weird. If there's no empty table, you ask and you sit. There's no point going to another cafe.
It also depends on the place. In some places you're going to have to sit next to people - for example some caffs or places with just benches - in which case no need to ask.
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 03, 2010, 08:38:52 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on January 03, 2010, 08:25:33 AM
Only if there is no empty table. And I would ask as well.
That been said, I do find weird how reserved you guys are in most circumstances. Guess it's the lack of sunshine.
I'm English and I agree it's weird. If there's no empty table, you ask and you sit. There's no point going to another cafe.
It also depends on the place. In some places you're going to have to sit next to people - for example some caffs or places with just benches - in which case no need to ask.
I'm American, and I agree, as well. If the place is packed and there is nowhere else to sit, I ask if I can join someone at a table that has room. I don't generally engage them in conversation unless they seem interested in it, though. Generally, I just eat my food/drink my coffee/read my book.
The generally accepted rule in HK is -
If there are empty tables, take them first.
If all the tables are occupied, AND the place looks like the kind of place where sharing of tables is allowed (e.g. food court, cheap place, the waiters direct people to share tables, Starbucks etc), ask politely if the empty seats are "available".
Quote from: Monoriu on January 03, 2010, 10:55:52 AM
The generally accepted rule in HK is -
If there are empty tables, take them first.
If all the tables are occupied, AND the place looks like the kind of place where sharing of tables is allowed (e.g. food court, cheap place, the waiters direct people to share tables, Starbucks etc), ask politely if the empty seats are "available".
I think that is pretty much standard, just about anywhere in the civilized world...
Quote from: Mr.Penguin on January 03, 2010, 12:32:33 PM
I think that is pretty much standard, just about anywhere in the civilized world...
Marty is still learning. ;)
Quote from: citizen k on January 03, 2010, 03:58:25 PM
Quote from: Mr.Penguin on January 03, 2010, 12:32:33 PM
I think that is pretty much standard, just about anywhere in the civilized world...
Marty is still learning. ;)
Marty's one of those pretentious bitches that wants to be "seen" at a coffee shop, doing cool stuff like surfing HRW websites.
Fuck him, sit right next to his ass. And make silent farts.
Coffee shops are good places for doing homework or personal study, as it's more fun than staying at home or going to the library. Which means I almost never want to be disturbed there, so I will choose another place if there is no free table. If a stranger sits down at my table, I will feel vaguely awkward and hope he doesn't try to bother me.
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on January 03, 2010, 06:48:03 PM
Coffee shops are good places for doing homework or personal study,
Then you're a retarded attention whore, too. Go to a fucking library.
Studying in a fucking retail store. No wonder undergraduate grade inflation is necessary. Idiots.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on January 03, 2010, 06:50:13 PM
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on January 03, 2010, 06:48:03 PM
Coffee shops are good places for doing homework or personal study,
Then you're a retarded attention whore, too. Go to a fucking library.
Studying in a fucking retail store. No wonder undergraduate grade inflation is necessary. Idiots.
Ever been shushed by those twerps? I have. I talk louder.
Kollege kids are funny.
And here comes the Angry Old Man Brigade. :P
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on January 03, 2010, 06:58:21 PM
And here comes the Angry Old Man Brigade. :P
I call it the Bitter White Man brigade. Just need to add Neil for the trifecta.
Never studied in a coffee shop or library before, unless I needed a specific book they wouldn't lend out. Bars on the other hand...
Coffee shops tend to be high-volume places. I refuse to bring my laptop on principle because it pisses me off no end to see people sitting and taking up tables with cold sludge in their cups while they read through the last 35 posts of their favorite bloggers when I've got hot stuff in my hands.
Quote from: katmai on January 03, 2010, 06:59:27 PM
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on January 03, 2010, 06:58:21 PM
And here comes the Angry Old Man Brigade. :P
I call it the Bitter White Man brigade. Just need to add Neil for the trifecta.
Angry you can't be one of us with that natural tan of yours?
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 03, 2010, 07:12:13 PM
Quote from: katmai on January 03, 2010, 06:59:27 PM
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on January 03, 2010, 06:58:21 PM
And here comes the Angry Old Man Brigade. :P
I call it the Bitter White Man brigade. Just need to add Neil for the trifecta.
Angry you can't be one of us with that natural tan of yours?
Not at all :P
I feel your anger.
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on January 03, 2010, 06:58:21 PM
And here comes the Angry Old Man Brigade. :P
Yeah, whatever Mister LULZ I LIKE TO DO HOMEWORK IN TRAIN STATIONS AT RUSH HOUR
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 03, 2010, 06:56:22 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on January 03, 2010, 06:50:13 PM
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on January 03, 2010, 06:48:03 PM
Coffee shops are good places for doing homework or personal study,
Then you're a retarded attention whore, too. Go to a fucking library.
Studying in a fucking retail store. No wonder undergraduate grade inflation is necessary. Idiots.
Ever been shushed by those twerps? I have. I talk louder.
Kollege kids are funny.
I did once. we moved to a closer table and talked louder.
Quote from: Ed Anger on January 03, 2010, 06:56:22 PM
Ever been shushed by those twerps? I have. I talk louder.
Kollege kids are funny.
I don't think I've ever been shushed by anybody in public.
Maybe it's the hint of my shoulder holster.
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on January 03, 2010, 07:02:40 PM
Never studied in a coffee shop or library before, unless I needed a specific book they wouldn't lend out. Bars on the other hand...
It's less about actually studying and more about "OMG LOOK AT ME IM SO IMPORTENT AND GENIOUS" attention whoring. :contract:
Quote from: DontSayBanana on January 03, 2010, 07:06:15 PM
Coffee shops tend to be high-volume places. I refuse to bring my laptop on principle because it pisses me off no end to see people sitting and taking up tables with cold sludge in their cups while they read through the last 35 posts of their favorite bloggers when I've got hot stuff in my hands.
That's when you "accidentally" trip and spill your coffee all over them and their laptop.
Quote from: Caliga on January 04, 2010, 08:12:18 AM
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on January 03, 2010, 07:02:40 PM
Never studied in a coffee shop or library before, unless I needed a specific book they wouldn't lend out. Bars on the other hand...
It's less about actually studying and more about "OMG LOOK AT ME IM SO IMPORTENT AND GENIOUS" attention whoring. :contract:
Actually it wasn't for me. I'd always go to a coffee shop to make notes and read or re-read articles/books etc and to draft essays. I just found it easier to work in a slightly more active atmosphere. Similarly even when I'm not studying I get my best reading done in cafes.
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 04, 2010, 08:30:09 AM
Quote from: Caliga on January 04, 2010, 08:12:18 AM
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on January 03, 2010, 07:02:40 PM
Never studied in a coffee shop or library before, unless I needed a specific book they wouldn't lend out. Bars on the other hand...
It's less about actually studying and more about "OMG LOOK AT ME IM SO IMPORTENT AND GENIOUS" attention whoring. :contract:
Actually it wasn't for me. I'd always go to a coffee shop to make notes and read or re-read articles/books etc and to draft essays. I just found it easier to work in a slightly more active atmosphere. Similarly even when I'm not studying I get my best reading done in cafes.
:yes:
No "I don't go to coffee shops" option. What a waste of time and money. Should I be forced to, I'd do the British thing and sit at the mathematically furthest point from any other individual possible.
Quote from: Brazen on January 04, 2010, 08:54:33 AM
No "I don't go to coffee shops" option. What a waste of time and money. Should I be forced to, I'd do the British thing and sit at the mathematically furthest point from any other individual possible.
That is my policy in any type of public space.
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 04, 2010, 08:30:09 AM
Quote from: Caliga on January 04, 2010, 08:12:18 AM
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on January 03, 2010, 07:02:40 PM
Never studied in a coffee shop or library before, unless I needed a specific book they wouldn't lend out. Bars on the other hand...
It's less about actually studying and more about "OMG LOOK AT ME IM SO IMPORTENT AND GENIOUS" attention whoring. :contract:
Actually it wasn't for me. I'd always go to a coffee shop to make notes and read or re-read articles/books etc and to draft essays. I just found it easier to work in a slightly more active atmosphere. Similarly even when I'm not studying I get my best reading done in cafes.
Same. When I was studying for my bar exam (no pun intended :P), I studied mainly in coffee shops and parks.
And yes, you can make jokes about the quality of my legal training. :P
I thought you graduated from the school of hard cocks?