If you’re a coffee shop enthusiast with a bucket list of cafes to visit, it’s important to be mindful of how to behave respectfully in coffee shops with different cultures, menus, and experiences. Here are 6 ideas you can implement when visiting cafes, bars or restaurants. +some cool ideas on how to brighten someone’s day 🙂
Most popular coffee shops with links.
1. Check ”café rules” on their official website or social media
When you want to visit a unique cafe or a place with some theme, different rules and etiquette, you can become a little detective and check their website or social media. As an example, you have to first reserve a spot at this place and be careful with animals.
-Their working hours
-Their menu
-Are they vegan/pet friendly
-Other specific things
Here’s our text about Zoo Café in Budapest where you can see their website and house rules.
2. Be polite to your waiter
Either of us can have a bad day and that’s okay as we can’t feel happy all the time for various reasons.
That doesn’t give us the right to act passive-aggressive, rude, or against the cafe rules. Waiters are people who serve us on their bad days, too. Speaking of that, here are simple rules you should follow when you communicate with waiters:
-Don’t use your phone when ordering a drink as both sides can misunderstand each other.
-Pay attention to the order and be clear about what you want.
-Say please and thank you.
3. Be careful with your time
While some cafes offer no limits on customers’ time in the cafe, others may have stricter sitting hours. Some cafes are more popular than others, so they have stricter policies. Make sure to ask or do your research on their social media or website. The time limit at this place is about 90 minutes, but you can draw more if it’s not crowded.
4. Don’t make a lot of noise
It’s okay to have a great time in coffee shops; that’s why we’re there. But make sure that you’re not making too much noise. What is too much? If we have an essential conversation via phone, it’s better to go outside or find a quiet place than sit in a cafe and make loud noises because you can’t hear someone. Coffee shops differ from place to place, so visiting book cafes and gameboard cafes is undoubtedly the opposite experience.
5. Ask questions
It’s always better to ask when we’re not sure if we can do something. Can we hold a pet? Do you serve specialties for Christmas? Can we play the button in the toilet to listen to music? These are only examples that will allow you to learn more about cafe culture and better enjoy your experience. It’s also a good way to make social connections with others if we want to socialize more. And also if you hang out alone at a cafe.
6. Give a tip
When I was a student, I rarely went to cafes, and when I did, I didn’t have the habit of giving tips. That changed after some time and working in a similar position at a bakery during my college days changed my mind.
According to The Local this restaurant has a unique concept:
”Those who demand a coffee will find they are charged an extortionate €5, those who say please will pay a more affordable €3.50, and those courteous enough to greet their server first with a “Buenos días” will be charged a mere €1.30.”
I’m always curious about places where people hang out and feel like they are at their third place, so here are five fantastic ideas to brighten someone’s day the next time you are in a cafe, restaurant, or bar. Oooor anywhere else 🙂
- Handwrite a note and give it to a waiter or leave it behind you after you pay the bill.
- Pay for someone’s drink
- Leave a copy of your book to a stranger- an idea taken from Success.com
- Share positive things you like about a place with an owner; this is especially nice when you visit a place where the owner works.
- Give a positive review- this can be especially important if the cafe recently opened as it gives a better chance for people to find it.
200+ Random Acts of Kindness Ideas & Examples I found this article helpful and cute!
Share your thoughts about what you did to brighten someone’s day in a café!
Enjoyed the article? You can read our article about why ambiance is important in a coffee shop.
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