Café Etiquette to be Mindful Of

This is one of those things that isn’t always taken seriously enough but significantly impacts the community and the spaces they occupy. 

A great café experience isn’t just about the beverage. 

The atmosphere, the hospitality, and the mindset with which other coffee lovers engage with the space determine how well-loved a café is.

Café etiquette isn’t written down in a manual or treated as hard and fast rules. They are developed as a result of shared understanding between owners, baristas, and customers so that everyone involved has a pleasant and satisfying experience.

Comment and let us know which of these you firmly stand by.

Respect The Workflow Behind The Bar

Rush hour or not, the work that happens behind the bar has its own rhythm, one that shouldn’t be disrupted.

This is not only so that your drink is served as per quality standards. It also gives the staff the time and ability to work with dedication.

A few ways to respect that and the people serving you are to:

• Be ready for your turn.
  Whenever possible, decide what you want to order in advance so that any delays in ordering can be prevented. This way, baristas are able to keep the service moving at a brisk pace and ensure that the wait time in the queue doesn’t increase unnecessarily for others.
  

• Avoid last-minute changes.
  Or at least communicate any changes required as soon as possible. Perhaps you want to switch to oat milk or need an extra shot of espresso in your iced latte. Requesting changes at the last minute can disrupt the drink preparation and sometimes even require baristas to start all over again.
  

• Give the baristas room to work.
  Not crowding near the handoff area or constantly asking if your order is ready allows the baristas to operate in a smooth and systematic fashion. Sometimes, even hovering near the espresso machine can create pressure, so it’s recommended that you trust in the process and let your order be called out when it’s ready.

Understand That Cafes are Shared Spaces

• Working from cafés.
  Café culture has evolved to such an extent that it’s common for people to use them as remote work stations. Ultimately, cafés are businesses and not co-working zones. So if you intend to use your table for hours, consider ordering another drink or a sandwich. This helps the business and ensures you’re not overstaying your welcome.

• Use seating thoughtfully.
  It’s understandable that you want to enjoy your time at the café. What’s also reasonable? Others want to enjoy theirs too. If the café is busy and you’ve already been there for a while, ask yourself if it’s time to wrap up. You could even move to a smaller table if you’re alone or get your next drink to-go.

Engage With Hospitality, Not Just The Coffee

Cafés are celebrated as a way of connecting coffee lovers. 

Baristas and coffee shop owners typically enjoy chatting with customers. That said, it helps to be mindful of how you’re engaging with them.

• Ask questions at the right time.
  Whether you’re curious about a flavour profile or simply want to compliment the barista, wait till the time’s right and go for it. As long as you’re not holding up the service, they’ll most likely be happy to hear from you.
  

• Trust their expertise.
  By being open to their recommendations, you show that you value their expertise. This trust has two-fold benefits. It gives them motivation to hone their knowledge and skills, and also lets you discover new blends, origins, and recipes that you may otherwise not get the opportunity to try.
  

• Treat them with courtesy and respect.
  Baristas are people too, and they don’t deserve to be treated like machines. Especially during busy periods, staying patient, offering a smile or showing gratitude helps contribute to a positive environment and keeps up their morale. 

Respect The Space You Occupy

• Follow the rules.
  Adhere to any rules, policies, or guidelines displayed in the café. This could mean ordering a specific quantity of items for longer stays, device restrictions, or not bringing in pets. Such policies typically affect the operations and can have consequences that you may not be aware of.
  

• Leave the café in good condition.
  Keeping your table, seat, and the café floor mess-free helps the staff. Some cafés even have return stations where you’re supposed to leave the cups and dishes. It reduces the burden on the staff so they can focus on preparing the food and drinks.

• Be considerate of the physical space.
  The café space (particularly the seating arrangement) is planned to support customer service and comfort. Blocking the walkways or service areas, leaving your belongings in a haphazard manner, and changing the placement of tables or chairs are all generally discouraged as they cause inconvenience.

Good café etiquette is about awareness and consideration. Creating a positive environment for everyone means you get to enjoy that too and reinforce what it means to be a coffee lover.