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A work-friendly cafe with good rates is one of the top priorities for remote workers across the country, Several new-wave cafe brands have emerged in the last few years which cater to this crowd. However, turns out that despite a thriving culture, it’s impossible to please everyone.
Recently, a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur who founded an AI consulting and implementation firm, found herself in the midst of an online controversy after posting an enquiry on X as she asked for recommendations for cafes in HSR Layout that offered strong Wi-Fi, without the expectation to order, and optional comfortable seating. Her post, intended to seek out flexible workspaces, quickly went viral, sparking a larger debate about "cafe etiquette" and "freeloading culture."
HSR Layout, a popular spot for startups and young professionals in Bengaluru, is known for its tech-friendly cafes. However, Arora’s post was seen by many as unreasonable, leading to her being trolled on social media. Critics pointed out that cafes are businesses that rely on customer purchases to sustain themselves, and Arora’s request for a place to work without ordering seemed unfair to the establishment owners.
The post opened up a wider discussion on the ethics of using public spaces like cafes for work purposes without contributing to their revenue, with some defending the request as a reflection of modern remote work culture, while others shared that it seemed exploitative.
“Cafés like your company are businesses. It’s very easy to use all these points you’re making against you as well. Why is what you are doing a legitimate business and a cafe is somehow not?” an X user commented. Another user wrote, “Would you expect people to do the same thing if you owned a Cafe in an expensive location with high monthly fixed overheads to pay ?”
However, some users were quick to recommend cafes that let guests work without ordering. The entrepreneur also cleared up her stance further after facing backlash. “I might not order today, tomorrow - but if I keep coming to the same cafe everyday, i will eventually order. cafe WILL recoup its costs. In fact, I might invite my friends also. the group will eventually order,” they wrote.
