I’m in Starbucks taking a load off. Books are in my future but I need a brief respite with a Jones Soda and a cookie before I go over to the adjoining Chapters. The thing is, this snack costs a mere $3.78, and given how busy this place is, I had to hover for a time before I managed to snag a seat.
So here I am at a small two-seat table. I’m alone but because I see others hovering, a small part of me feels guilty for taking up more space than I need. There are no single seats available and I certainly do not feel guilty enough to get up.
I bought some of the wares so I’m entitled to a seat for a time. Done and done!
The woman sitting at the next table is doing me a big favour and she doesn’t even know it. She came in after me, plopped herself down at a four-seat table. She pulled out her crocheting, and put her purse on one of the chairs. Notice how I didn’t mention and food or drink?
And to think that I felt guilty! It’s not my place to judge, but I wouldn’t think of doing such a thing. She could be waiting for friend, and perhaps when they arrive, they’ll all get coffee. I don’t know. But I do know that even in those circumstances, I wouldn’t sit until I bought something, unless the place was empty.
Different strokes. We all have different thresholds.
Later: Nearly a half-hour later, a friend did show up to meet the woman.
_don
Did no one ask to use the empty chair? Nor you offer someone to sit with you. I mean, you don’t have to talk to the person. At “The Kitchen”, I usually end up sharing a table. Most times its brief (one of us is almost ready to leave), sometimes there is no discussion, and on occaision, there is.
Rick
When I got there, I spied two women about to leave so I hovered and snagged their table. Once I had it, I was typing this entry and otherwise reading. I didn’t offer the seat to anyone but I wouldn’t have objected if someone asked. Good point!
I can imagine that sometimes those discussions are pretty cool.