Almost got evicted from a coffee shop over a spreadsheet

I was camped out at a Blue Bottle in Austin updating my portfolio when the barista told me I'd been there for 3 hours and asked if I wanted to buy another drink or leave. Now I set a timer on my phone for 90 minutes max, and if the work isn't done, I just call it a day and walk around the block instead of pushing it.

3 comments

3 Comments

miaprice7d ago

Three HOURS at a Blue Bottle in Austin? That's WILD to me. I live in a city where the baristas will give you the death stare after 45 minutes and a single latte. I don't know how you even lasted that long without them saying something sooner. I would have been sweating bullets the whole time wondering if they were gonna kick me out. Honestly, that timer idea is smart but I'd probably still try to sneak in an extra 20 minutes and then panic-buy a muffin I don't even want just to stay.

craig.parker7d ago

Muffin tax, the universal sign of "please don't hate me.

kimdixon7d ago

Those three hours at Blue Bottle are exactly what changed my mind about that muffin tax. I used to think it was just a guilt thing or a way to buy forgiveness for taking up space. But honestly reading your breakdown makes me see it more as a fair exchange for being able to hang out and work without the death stare.