[drivingmenuts]

I don't think I could do work from a coffee shop. They make their money on churn and my camping out in a chair for hours kind of prevents that.

I really have to wonder how the owners feel about all the other people doing exactly the same thing.

[robzyb]

I think that its all about managing what you buy.

My thoughts on the matter is that so long as I always have drink/food in front of me (and I'm not purposely taking my time) then I'm probably earning my keep.

I've never been at a cafe that's run out of seats, either.

[greggman]

Where are you? I've been to many cafes that have run out of seats. In fact I've had to turn around and leave because there was no place for me to sit down. 2 examples off top of my head. Coffee Bar in SF and Bricks and Scones in LA. Both are larger than average as well but very very popular. I've seen most Starbucks in SF and Tokyo full as well. Some of the ones in Tokyo even have signs which effectively say "In consideration of other customers please don't stay a long time".

[robzyb]

I'm in Melbourne, Australia. We have heaps and heaps of cafes here. We are known for our cafe culture. I can actually think of some that fill up, but there are still plenty where you could always reasonably expect a spare seat.

I remember the Starbucks at Shibuya Crossing was mind-blowingly packed.

I think that my argument assumes that you've chosen a cafe with consideration for whether they tend to run out of seats or not.

(Incidentally, I am relocating to Tokyo from Melbourne in a month or twos time. Any tips for me? Any little-known treasures in Japan that I should check out?)

[dhimes]

When I want to work outside the office, I prefer the public library for exactly this reason.

[antihero]

I prefer the pub, but there are obvious drawbacks. As long as you can stick to slightly less than two drinks it's okay though.

[bluedino]

I would love to as well - it's quiet and you can take a break to read a book whenever you want.

The problem with our library is that even though they have a 100mb internet connection, they filter everything. You can't use Git or SSH for example, so it does me no good as a place to work.

[aaronem]

Does the public library sell coffee?

(There's an Enoch Pratt branch directly across from my favored coffee place in Roland Park, which would be just dandy if it didn't have the weirdest opening hours known to man. Closed on Thursdays and Sundays? Who does that?)

[dhimes]

No, mine does not.

[general_failure]

my public library does not allow coffee inside :(