Controversy erupts over coffee shop covering up electrical outlets: Debate over customers 'setting up shop'

Social media is abuzz with news about a coffee chain that allegedly "covered up all the electrical outlets, subtly driving away customers who lingered." This has sparked debate about customers buying coffee and then "setting up shop."

Regarding the information circulating on social media about the coffee shop "blocking all electrical outlets," the brand has not yet issued an official response. However, social media has erupted in debate about customers buying a cup of coffee and then spending the whole day "rooted" at the shop.

Controversial debate

Some netizens argue that when a coffee shop opens its doors to customers, it must accept the need to serve those who sit and work. However, many others disagree, arguing that customers buying just one drink and then sitting for hours on end will significantly impact the shop's business.

The online debate surrounding customers buying a cup of coffee and then "camping out" at the cafe all day is heating up again with many conflicting opinions. What are your thoughts?

Photo: AI

Sharing her perspective on this issue, user Hoài Thu commented: "Selling coffee doesn't even cover the electricity bill for customers who sit around for a long time. If there's no profit, it's better to close down than to waste time selling and not even cover the electricity costs. Why bother selling when you can still make a profit?!"

"After ordering a drink, they sit there from morning till night, enjoying the air conditioning, having a fully equipped restroom, and plugging in all sorts of chargers too...", commented Nguyen Duc. Another account, claiming to be the owner of a coffee shop, also left a comment expressing exasperation: "At my shop, customers sit there charging their laptops and two phones. They pour tea from morning till noon but only buy a 23,000 VND cup of coffee."

Contrary to the above opinions, user Thanh Quyen commented: "If people go to a coffee shop just to drink coffee, why would they spend 50,000 VND to drink there?" User Nguyen Ti added: "It's normal for customers to sit for a long time. Those who sit for 30 minutes or buy takeout will compensate for those who do."

As a freelancer working in Ho Chi Minh City, Trong Nghia (25 years old) says he's a regular customer at many cafes in District 1 and District 3. According to him, instead of working from home, he goes to cafes to find inspiration and escape the heat in Ho Chi Minh City.

That's why he often sits at the cafe from morning until late evening, depending on the workload and inspiration he has for work. The young man also shared that there, he can freely use services such as air conditioning, restrooms, power outlets for charging, and free refills of water.

"I think it's normal to spend 60,000 - 70,000 VND on a drink, so sitting at the cafe for a long time is fine. However, if I stay until evening, I usually buy more drinks and snacks, so it feels less embarrassing," he added.

Dung Le (26 years old) doesn't usually go to the cafe to work; she mostly comes to meet up with friends. She believes that it's inappropriate for customers to buy a drink and then "settle down" at the cafe.

"People open up businesses and do all sorts of things. Staying in one place like that without buying anything extra is unfair to the shop. We should interact, be understanding, and share with each other a little. If I stayed at the shop for a long time, I would also buy a drink or a pastry," the girl shared.

The coffee shop owner's perspective

Speaking to Thanh Nien newspaper , the owner of a popular coffee shop in Phu Nhuan District said that since opening, he has regularly welcomed many customers who sit at the shop from morning to afternoon. However, he said that most of these customers are very nice and always buy more food and drinks if they stay longer.

"Of course, it's inevitable that some customers will buy the cheapest cup of coffee at the shop and then sit there from morning till evening. But luckily, we don't have many customers like that. If they stay, we still serve them attentively and offer free refills," the owner shared.

He added that many of his friends who run coffee shops also often "have headaches" dealing with these kinds of customers. According to him, in some shops, staff will subtly remind customers if they stay too long by asking questions like: "You've been here for quite a while, would you like to order anything else?"

Some restaurants say that no matter how long customers stay, they will do their best to provide the best service.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

To reduce the number of customers who buy a drink and sit from morning till night without ordering anything else, another cafe in Ho Chi Minh City has a time limit: if a customer sits for more than 4 hours, they must order another drink. The staff at this cafe proactively and subtly remind customers of this rule.

Meanwhile, some netizens suggested that the owner limit Wi-Fi usage time and charge extra for charging if customers stay longer than the规定 time.

What are your thoughts on customers ordering a drink and then "camping out" in a coffee shop for hours on end? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xon-xao-thong-tin-quan-ca-phe-bit-het-o-dien-tranh-cai-chuyen-khach-cam-re-185250522202542841.htm