Okay so I just gotta get this out bc I’m fuming right now, seriously fuming, and I need people to tell me if I’m crazy or if this other person was just totally out of line. I was at my usual coffee place this morning, my favorite spot you know? I go there like three or four times a week to get some work done and just kinda relax before the real grind of the day starts. It’s always pretty chill, and I have my routine.
So I get there, it was a little busy but not packed, and I found a perfect little corner, you know, a spot with two small tables pushed together. Not like one of those big communal tables, just two small ones that are often kinda side-by-side. I always gravitate towards those bc I need my space. I mean, I’m working, right? I have my laptop, my external mouse, my notebook for jotting down ideas, my big water bottle, and my phone charging. Plus, I like to have my bag next to me so it’s not on the floor, and my jacket draped over the other chair. It’s just how I set up my personal little office, my zone, my creative bubble.
I was there for about an hour, really in the flow, sipping my latte, getting stuff done. And then this woman walks in. She’s looking around, kinda huffing and puffing, and I notice her eyeing my setup. I didn’t think anything of it at first, bc hey, I got here first, right? Find your own spot. But then she actually walks right up to my tables. Seriously. She just stands there, staring at my stuff on the second table. My jacket, my journal, my little succulent decoration I sometimes bring for good vibes – all neatly arranged, I might add.
And then she says, “Excuse me, are you using both of these tables?” In a really passive-aggressive tone, like I’m doing something wrong. I looked up, kinda annoyed, and said, “Yes, I am. I need the space for my work.” I mean, it’s obvious, isn’t it? I’m clearly working. I need room to spread out. My laptop is open, my fingers are flying across the keyboard, what does she think I’m doing, just hoarding tables for fun?
She then sighs, like a really loud, dramatic sigh, and says, “There aren’t any other seats. Do you really need two tables for just yourself?” And she gestures around. I looked around, and okay, yeah, it was a bit busier now, maybe a couple other people were standing, but that’s not my problem, is it? I got here early, I established my spot. It’s first come, first served. That’s just how public spaces work. You don’t just get to demand someone move their stuff because you showed up later.
I told her, very politely I thought, “Look, I’m working here. This is my setup. I need this space. I was here first.” I didn’t raise my voice or anything, just stated the facts. She then gets all huffy and says something like, “It’s a public coffee shop, not your private office.” Like, hello? It IS a public coffee shop, and I’m a paying customer, just like anyone else, and I am entitled to use the space I need to conduct my business. If she wants a private office, she should go rent one, not expect me to squeeze into a tiny corner so she can sit down.
She just rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath, then walked off to stand by the counter. I could feel her staring at me the whole time I was finishing up. It was so distracting and honestly, really rude. I was there first, I wasn’t being loud, I was just minding my own business and using the space I had claimed fair and square. She was the one who came up to me and tried to make me feel bad for needing my personal space and comfort.
I don’t think I did anything wrong. I paid for my coffee, I was using the available tables, and it’s not my fault if the coffee shop gets crowded. People need to learn to be more prepared or come earlier if they want a specific spot. You don’t just get to barge in and demand other people change their entire setup because you didn’t plan ahead. This is basic public etiquette, right?
So, seriously, tell me. Am I The Jerk? Or was she completely out of line for trying to make me feel guilty for using the space I needed?
