A Scottish vlogger, Dale Philip, recently expressed dismay at what he perceives as a unique ‘coffee shop culture’ in the Philippines, where patrons use cafes as makeshift workspaces. Philip noted that in many popular coffee shops, numerous customers occupy tables for extended periods, working on their laptops and effectively turning these public spaces into personal offices.
This practice, according to Philip, sometimes leaves other customers, who simply want to enjoy a coffee or a meal, struggling to find a place to sit. He remarked, “Look at these guys with their laptops,” adding, “I would hate that.” He further commented on the inconvenience caused by people using the cafe as a place for homework or work, especially when there are long queues.
The vlogger’s observations sparked diverse reactions online. Some netizens defended the practice, stating that it is accepted by the coffee shop owners as long as the customers make purchases. Others criticized the vlogger, pointing out the cultural insensitivity of his comments and his lack of understanding of local social norms.
Some comments highlighted the need for coffee shops to address the issue of customers overstaying for the free Wi-Fi and power outlets, suggesting time limits for use.
As of now, there has been no official response or statement from the management of Starbucks or other coffee shop chains regarding this issue.