Studying in Cafes

Where I'm from, it is the norm, though sometimes frowned upon by business owners to study in a cafe, tapping on their wifi and occupying their tables for hours on end. Student-infested coffee houses are a common sight especially when major examination dates are around the corner. Not unlike my fellow countrymen, I enjoy doing my revision in quiet cafes, over an aromatic cup of coffee and the occasional cupcake or two. However, despite being here in the uk for a little over a month now, I have never seen anyone poring over their textbooks in such establishments. Perhaps it's just my less than keen observation skills. I would really appreciate some advice on the social convention here. Would it be acceptable to the other patrons if I were to plant my butt on the same seat for 3-4 hours?

Reply 1

SoulfulBoy

18

No, unless you buy some coffe for each hour you occupy space.

Reply 2

Steevee

15

Not really.

Generally the social norm is to be there only as long as a normal patron, or to make sure you buy lots of stuff. After all, you are taking up the space that could be used by another customer who would probably bring more revenue than you. So half an hour, to an hour in Starbucks? Sure. 4 hour study sesh? Not so much.

Reply 3

LaBelleEtLeBete

11

In the big Starbucks' and Costas you usually see people on their laptops for hours on end. As long as you buy something every couple of hours nobody cares, though it's probably different in non-chain establishments.
I meet up with a large group of people in a Starbucks in central London and half of us don't even buy coffees and sit their for a few hours. Have never had a problem with the staff/other patrons. I always see people there for the same amount of time as me, most often international students studying/ skypeing.

Reply 4

The Stig

18

Depends on how busy the cafe is. I know there is a particular Costa near the uni which was taken over by students when the library was closed because of a bank holiday, however it was a big one and had a top floor. Everyone also had coffee's.

Depends entirely on the owners and how busy it is. Normally if it's a cafe near the uni, they are use to people coming in and catching up on work ect

Reply 5

03hope03

9

I've never had a problem sitting in a coffee shop studying. Me and my ex would go and study together for 3/4 hours at Starbucks and just buy one drink each and then maybe a cookie a few hours in. I've also managed to sit in Costa from 8:30am to 1pm and not have any problems, though I did get two drinks and a packet of crisps. I think it depends on what you buy and how busy it is.

Reply 6

mel0n

17

I used to pop into the Costa in Waterstones all the time, order a pot of tea and a slice of cake and sit for quite a while studying :colone:

sometimes I would re order food if necessary.

Reply 7

affinity89

17

I've studied in coffee shops quite a lot in the past, especially during my study leave for my A Level exams. I always buy a nice big coffee and perhaps something to eat, and I try not to over stay my welcome. If I am there more than an hour, I'd definitely buy something else. :smile:

I just love coffee shops in general though. My friends and I are creatures of habit - during the day, we spend hours in coffee shops, in the evening we spend hours in bars and pubs lol. Anywhere with a nice atmosphere and decent drinks [be that coffee or alcohol] is good as far as I am concerned. :smile:

Reply 8

Perpetuallity

10

Me and my friends are going to costa on friday to get cracking on some Physics. It's olbigitory to buy a coffee or something, but other than that, its fine. Loads of people do it.

Reply 9

magicL

9

i found that i could study hours on end in a coffe shop, but could never do that in a library or at home.... meh maybe im juss wierd like that

Reply 10

Sherkba

3

You probably don't see a lot of people doing it because of the current economic climate. If you're revising every day during exam period, buying 2 cups of coffee and a cupcake to keep the owners happy, that adds up...

Reply 11

darthgirlie

12

You see this alot where i live, i usually spend hours on end in starbucks and i only buy like a sandwich and a coffee then cheekily ask for free water- tbh i think/hope they appreciate the frequent custom.

Reply 12

SoulfulBoy

18

Original post by LaBelleEtLeBete

In the big Starbucks' and Costas you usually see people on their laptops for hours on end. As long as you buy something every couple of hours nobody cares, though it's probably different in non-chain establishments.
I meet up with a large group of people in a Starbucks in central London and half of us don't even buy coffees and sit their for a few hours. Have never had a problem with the staff/other patrons. I always see people there for the same amount of time as me, most often international students studying/ skypeing.

Where and when? :colondollar:

Reply 13

SoulfulBoy

18

Original post by affinity89

I've studied in coffee shops quite a lot in the past, especially during my study leave for my A Level exams. I always buy a nice big coffee and perhaps something to eat, and I try not to over stay my welcome. If I am there more than an hour, I'd definitely buy something else. :smile:

I just love coffee shops in general though. My friends and I are creatures of habit - during the day, we spend hours in coffee shops, in the evening we spend hours in bars and pubs lol. Anywhere with a nice atmosphere and decent drinks [be that coffee or alcohol] is good as far as I am concerned. :smile:

Reply 14

scribble_girl

14

I wrote my entire disertation pretty much in Boston Tea Party in Clifton Village. They got to know me in there and I was pretty good about making sure I ordered a coffee every 1.5 - 2 hours. I was in caffiene induced haze for most of third year :p:

I would say go to the smaller, more independent places where it's not really so busy, get to know the people who work there and own it and stuff. It's nice for them to get to know you and I always think that cafes where people are working or reading always look like nice places to go... continental, innit :wink:

Reply 15

mysticalfluffy

20

I always study in cafes. I hate libraries.

Reply 16

medic86

9

I love studying in Cafes " especially at Costa Cafe". I actually get a 4 seated table and spread my medical books, and writing my notes. I sit there for a good 4 hours. I'm a addicted to coffee, and being surrounded by random people would make a perfect environment.

I used to go to the library in my early years in medicine, but really got fed up, it gets so quite that makes me yawning every minute.

Reply 17

conflict

Original post by medic86

I love studying in Cafes " especially at Costa Cafe". I actually get a 4 seated table and spread my medical books, and writing my notes. I sit there for a good 4 hours. I'm a addicted to coffee, and being surrounded by random people would make a perfect environment.

I used to go to the library in my early years in medicine, but really got fed up, it gets so quite that makes me yawning every minute.

I hate people like you if I seen you in my costa pulling that **** i'd be bitch quit yo clowning an get back to the libary where you belong.

Reply 18

medic86

9

Original post by conflict

I hate people like you if I seen you in my costa pulling that **** i'd be bitch quit yo clowning an get back to the libary where you belong.

Is that a reason why you negged me? :smile:

I believe in Cafe it's either a place to read if you're alone, or to socialise if you're with someone else.

I believe it's just a preference anyways, and people can study anywhere and at anytime, it hasn't to be in a library. I hope your brain grows a bit and widening your closed minded, but i doubt that.

Reply 19

Rebellious-Steve

16

Don't even understand why you'd want to do that anyway/

Studying in Cafes

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