by Kate Lewis for fluxo
Laptops. An overwhelming amount of laptops. And attached to them, the remote working people of the city that are trying to get out of their apartments every so often during the work day.
That’s fair, right? In a city with shoebox apartments, an unparalleled and oversaturated food and beverage industry, and an enormous amount of people with remote jobs, doesn’t it make sense that the neighborhood coffee shops would be overrun with locals looking for somewhere to work?
Maybe it makes sense, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for business. And the coffee shops of NYC are putting up a fight—or trying to.
What were once “no smoking” signs, plaques, and stickers are now laptop usage warnings. It’s a time limit, it’s a time of day when devices have to be put away, and occasionally it’s an entire zone of tables where you can’t use your computer at all. Some places have even become entirely laptop free.
The reason for these restrictions isn’t only about the issue of people camping out for hours and working after only paying for one black coffee. It’s also about the fact that we’re forfeiting a sense of community and the interpersonal essence that was once abundant in New York City coffee shops.
What we're losing is cafe culture. The art of enjoying conversation and coffee (or whatever beverage you prefer) with other people. Having a shared experience in a place that cultivates a feeling of togetherness has always been important, but now that we as a society are battling a loneliness epidemic, in young people especially, it’s more vital than ever that we have those third places to connect with others in.
But there’s space for being alone in cafe culture as well—reading a book, writing, or simply being able to exist on your own with your thoughts and a cup of coffee. There’s something about a laptop—specifically working on said laptop—that takes away the cozy energy that we hold so sacred. Perhaps it’s the digital element of the device, perhaps it’s the work aspect. But something about the laptop draws a hard line in the sand when it comes to the, for a severe lack of a better word, vibes.
But remote workers still need somewhere to go during the day. They can’t stay holed up in their tiny apartments for eight hours at a time working, that’s not good for productivity or mental health. It’s not good for human-ness.
The solution? Cue fluxo…
