Some cafes ban laptops altogether, while others charge an hourly fee for the right to use a laptop.
advertisement
One of the benefits of being a digital nomad is getting to leave the boring office and explore trendy cafes in destinations around the world.
But in some parts of Spain, remote workers and their laptops are becoming unwanted customers.
Bars and cafes in Valencia, Santiago and Barcelona are cracking down on digital nomads who overstay their welcome.
Owners say remote workers can occupy tables for hours for the price of a cup of coffee.
Fed up, they’re now taking action. And they’re not alone in Europe: Coffee shops and snack bars from Paris to Berlin already have rules against so-called “laptop squatters.”
Spanish cafe cracks down on remote working
With the rise of digital nomad visas and accommodation schemes, remote working continues to be a popular lifestyle choice.
With plenty of sunshine, affordable living costs, and culture-rich cities, Spain is a great option for digital nomads.
But their working style is not always compatible with the lifestyle of their destinations: cafes and bars in Spanish cities have grown frustrated with people hogging tables for hours, or even a whole day, just to order a single drink.
For small business owners, this is not a viable source of income, so many have decided to take action.
Raquel Llanes, who runs a cafe in Barcelona’s Raval district, told local website Barcelona Secreta that the situation was out of control.
“We’ve had customers order espressos and sit there for eight hours, we’ve had customers ask us to turn down the music so they can have a meeting, we’ve had customers bring Tupperware and come in to eat,” she said.
“At first we installed electrical outlets and adjusted the space so we could work, but after two years we realized the numbers didn’t add up.”
In Valencia, Santiago and Barcelona, bars and cafes have decided to turn off their WiFi to discourage teleworkers.
Some cafes have put up posters stating that remote working is prohibited during peak hours between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Other establishments are allowing customers with laptops to use the space but asking them to move if they need space for groups or regulars.
Laptops banned in Paris and Berlin cafes
Over the past few years, cafes in European cities including Paris, Berlin, Lisbon and Brighton have taken a stance against remote workers.
Some schools ban laptops altogether, while others charge an hourly fee for the privilege of using a laptop.
For many cafe owners, this isn’t just a matter of making remote workers unprofitable, but also protecting the main function of their business: a fun place to interact with other customers in person.
advertisement
“It definitely gives a bad impression to a cafe when you walk past it and see the same four or five faces using their laptops, whether they’ve paid or not,” one commenter wrote on the Reddit thread.
“A cafe should be a place where people can gather and enjoy conversation.”
“I know a lot of people here find the idea of working in a coffee shop in an exotic location appealing, but it’s socially unacceptable and often a strain on business,” another said.
Sometimes I get annoyed by the rude attitude of digital nomads.
“The worst thing is, [who] “Leave your supermarket sandwich wrappers on the table and have the store clerk (previously me) clear them away,” wrote another user in the same thread.
advertisement
Where to work remotely in Spain
If you’re a digital nomad in Spain looking for a space where you can work remotely without being seen, consider taking advantage of the dozens of coworking spaces that have popped up all over the country.
Barcelona’s trendy Betahaus (which also has locations in Berlin, Hamburg, Sofia and Bucharest) has bright interiors and a plant-filled terrace. Set over five floors, it houses private offices, meeting spaces and shared work areas.
La Vaca (which means cow and takes its name from the fact that it was once a dairy farm) is a relaxing, green space where you can listen to music, do yoga or play a game of billiards when you need a break.
In Valencia, Vortex Coworking Playa in the seaside El Cabanyal district is a restored building with stylish interiors, exposed wooden beams and brick walls, and a fully-equipped kitchen.
In Santiago, check out Campus Stellae, housed in a 17th-century building with five floors of shared spaces and private offices offering stunning views of the neighboring cathedral.
advertisement
Source link
