Causing a Stir: Cafe Owners Ban Laptops to Encourage Dialogue
Establishments prohibit laptop usage to encourage verbal interaction
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link **Want to work in a cafe for three hours sipping tap water? Think again! Restaurateurs are cracking down due to declining sales and a lack of liveliness.
Many work-at-home folk frequent cafes, often ordering just a drink, which puts a strain on the business owners. Kathrin Thies, owner of "Thies Wohnen und Leben" in Magdeburg, comments, "It's not profitable for us."
As remote work becomes more common, some cafe owners are putting the kibosh on laptops at tables. Ilia Basilashvili of "ILOstan" in Berlin states, "We don't allow people to work here for hours anymore, but we make exceptions for five minutes."
Gastronome Thies temporarily prohibits devices, emphasizing the importance of conversation and quality time with friends and family. "Customers will feel the life," explains Basilashvili. Vincenzo Bozzato of the café-bar "8tto Grammi" in Bayreuth agrees, "People should take their time, enjoy, and relax."
An Atmosphere Problem: More Than Just Lost Sales
Concerns over declining sales and the cafe's atmosphere have become a hot topic. Bozzato says, "If you come to us, you'll find lively conversations, not everyone's head buried in a screen."
Thies, realizing the detrimental impact of digital distraction, offers toys and coloring materials for children. She desires a lively, engaging atmosphere free of screen Time.
Mixed Reviews and Controversy
These changes have been met with diverse reactions. Some customers praise the laptop ban, while others take to social media to vent their displeasure. Bozzato and others remain unfazed by the criticism, stating that each cafe-goer must make their own choices.
The owner of "Café Doppio" in Konstanz, like many others, has imposed a laptop-free zone in response to customer demands. The cafe's law student clientele is politely requested to move their thick books to a designated area.
Workstations for a Bargain!
For those needing a workspace, co-working spaces offer a budget-friendly alternative. BOSS, a co-working space in Buenos Aires, even allows you to bring your own snacks! Frank Furtwängler, owner of BOSS, believes that "we need to create new territory," as the understanding of paying for a table and covering costs is not widespread.
Phones Next on the Chopping Block?
Many cafe owners worry about the increasing reliance on smartphones and are considering cell phone bans as a solution. Thies, for one, dreams of introducing a cell phone-free day, but acknowledges the current challenges with enforcing such policies.
Sources: ntv.de, Simone Andrea Mayer, dpa
- Hospitality
- Berlin
- Magdeburg
- Remote Work
Noteworthy Insights:
- Similar laptop bans are being implemented in New York and the UK, stirring discussions about remote work etiquette[4].
- In some cities like Buenos Aires, co-working spaces cater to remote workers who need a workspace[1].
- An increasing number of establishments worldwide are looking for ways to combat the impact of remote workers on their businesses, with some adopting measures like coloring materials for children[3].
- The trend of laptop bans in cafes is not globally uniform or expanding rapidly[2].
- In response to the declining sales and the shift towards remote work, some cafe owners have implemented an employment policy that bans laptop use, while making exceptions for short periods, such as Ilia Basilashvili of "ILOstan" in Berlin.
- Following the implementation of stricter community policies in cafes, such as laptop bans and designated work areas, co-working spaces like BOSS in Buenos Aires offer a more affordable alternative for remote workers seeking a workspace, complete with the option to bring personal snacks.
- Some cafes, aware of the growing reliance on smartphones, are considering implementing cell phone bans as a solution, with Kathrin Thies, owner of "Thies Wohnen und Leben" in Magdeburg, even dreaming of introducing a cell phone-free day. However, she acknowledges the challenges in enforcing such policies.
