In Defense of the Anti-Laptop Policy

The Inevitable Rise of Digital Nomads

There’s lots of discussion about the ailments of our digital age, but a widely accepted pro amongst heaps of cons, is the romanticization of the digital nomad. For many – including myself – working a remote job has been the ideal. You’re telling me I can work wherever I want, be relieved of the pressure of an annoying boss or coworker, not be tied down to a sterile desk amongst dozens of other identical sterile desks, and get paid for it? Sign me up.

Turns out, a lot of people feel the same way – and with the help of COVID-19, working entirely from your laptop became considered less of a “Brooklyn-hipster” fantasy and more of a legitimate way of life. In the name of public safety, our lives became more online at a rapid rate, from payment methods, to education, to the workplace. We adapted to this new way of life quickly – some more than others. I remember a particular instance with my grandparents, who were shocked when a cafe we were visited only offered QR-code menus. Even after the COVID panic dissipated, we may have thrown out our masks, but we allowed these new technological norms to stick around – including remote work.

But QR-code menus are not the only digital medium infiltrating cafes – it’s the laptops of people like yours truly. Whether you’ve been working remotely for a while, or remember being stuck at home in the early 2020s, you likely learned from immense cabin fever it’s not good to work where you play. “When you set up shop in bed with your laptop or phone…your brain and body eventually stop associating bed with rest,” said professor of neurology, Rachel Salas for the BBC.

The Myth of the Third Place

So after being stuck in isolation for the start of the new decade, we as a society were finally ready to get out of the house in search for the community we felt had been missing even before the pandemic. It appeared the cafe as the “third place” was back. Not only could we have the Friends experience at our own Corner Perk, but we could be productive while doing it!

You can likely detect my sarcasm. Ironically, in our effort to leave the comfort of home but escape the chains of the workplace, we managed to take the places meant to be separate from both work and home (hence the name, “third place”), and merge them together into one place. As a result, the cafe turns into an airport or a doctor’s office with better interior design – a heterogenous mixture of people where interaction is avoided and a stank of social aversion lingers in the air.

It is for this reason that the presence of laptops in cafes has become a point of tension for many cafes – especially around Prague with its growing number of remote workers and students. For many coffee shops, the intention behind the space is not to work, but to participate in mankind’s oldest ritual: to enjoy quality time with others over food and drinks. “It feels dystopian to walk past a cafe and see everyone on their laptops,” one barista told me.

Why We Owe Our Cafes More Consideration

I must admit I’m being extremely hypocritical here. If you know me, you know that I am addicted to coffee, passionate about good design, and find joy in the wide world of table and dishware. Meaning, even if I am slaving away at an essay, the sheer joy I receive from an intentionally designed space and a beverage which is served to me in a funky ceramic cup almost makes it a pleasant experience. It feels unethical to work without it. I am a cafe junkie – for whose overpriced latte tricks I will fall for gladly.

Allow me to indulge in a quick side note on that last comment. Many people complain about the prices of coffee, matcha, or whatever concoction they fancy, but what these persons fail to realize – especially remote workers – is that they are also paying for the atmosphere and experience. Both you and I know we work better when we are sitting in a comfortable (but functional) chair while taking relieving sips of our drinks to rhythm of house music. And to defend the stricter laptop policies once more, I encourage you to think about how long you typically stay at your favorite cafe. Sure, maybe the latte is overpriced. But what is the value of a good work environment?

Many cafes are arguing it’s much more than what we’re paying. The reasons for stricter laptop policies do not stem solely from ideological concerns, but also financial. It boils down to the fact that the longer customers linger, the the less space there’s left for incoming visitors. And most people understand this. “(Staying for hours) is totally fine, unless the coffee shop is packed,” a barista told me, “but then people usually leave by themselves because they feel bad.”

How Prague’s Cafes Are Responding

So what’s the solution? For example, many cafes are implementing either laptop-free days (typically weekends) or laptop-free tables. And while this can be inconvenient at times (I have definitely received my fair share of reprimands) remote workers can still enjoy their favorite cafes without overstaying their welcome. “It’s a nice way to avoid awkward conversations,” said a staff member at popular Prague cafe with the same policy, “But it definitely gets to a where the people who come and stay for six hours are frustrating.“ Additionally, I believe the no-laptop weekend policy supports a healthy work-life balance – something we are all guilty of violating as work becomes increasingly easier to take with us.

Another alternative is far less ideal. If you don’t want to haggle loitering laptop users, then design a space unconducive for them. Even if you’re not keen on design trends – it’s not difficult to notice how cafes have changed within the last thirty years – just watch any ‘90s rom-com. As Stella Turner put it in her article, “I’ve increasingly found myself feeling less welcomed by these age-old havens of good vibes…Cushy chairs have been traded for rigid metal ones, and my computer hardly fits on the wobbly tables.” It’s clear as we adapt to a faster-paced culture, so do the spaces we design – so can we blame cafes for doing so? For economic reasons alone, the small-scaled, minimal seating espresso bar is far more profitable – you can simply serve more customers on-the-go.

All of this to say, I would hate for Prague’s cafes to follow this trend as a solution to the laptop epidemic. However, as I notice new cafes around the city, I also notice a lack of eclectic coziness. Don’t get me wrong – most of them are wonderfully designed – but I wonder if these decisions are being made out of a desire to appeal to the dine-in customer or to the Instagram algorithm.

A Humble Guide to Laptop-Friendly Cafes

In spite of this, Prague still has an abundance of inviting laptop-friendly cafes if you know where to look. And in the spirit of back-to-school season, here are a couple cafes which feel like a warm hug even when you’re drowning in school or work related responsibilities.

First is Cafe Tvaroh in Letná – they have great food, drinks, a cozy garden, and comfortable seats. They also have a tiny shelf where you can browse some knick-knacks made by local Czech designers.

Dorado Coffee is in the center, meaning it is a perfect get-away from the chaos. Its owner is a Prague expat from Colombia, so naturally the coffee is amazing. I recommend trying one of their chocolate-raspberry cookies along with your cup.

Like most Americans in Prague, Globe Bookstore and Cafe has a special place in my heart. As the name suggests, they have an English bookstore at the front and a warm and inviting space behind it. They serve diner-style American classics and host events throughout the year, but my favorite thing about Globe is their annual Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re homesick for some turkey and fixins’ or just curious – I’d definitely reserve a spot this November.

Across the culinary globe is MATOKA Georgian Bakery, which has many locations in Prague. They have some of the best desserts in the city as well as Georgian classics. If you need some extra motivation to leave the house and get some work done, then this is definitely the place to treat yourself.

I am reluctant to share this next one out of a desire to gatekeep, but Kavárna Zanzibar was introduced to me by a Prague-local friend and remains one of my favorites. The staff are so kind and the space cultivates a unique creative atmosphere – as they have a small space where you can browse through second-hand clothes and work by independent artists.

Last but not least is the cafe at the top of Kunsthalle Praha – a contemporary art museum. The cafe has an excellent terraces with a view of the city and a really strong playlist. I like working there because it not only reminds me to visit their current exhibitions, but due to its proximity to Prague Castle, you get to eavesdrop on tourists and art enthusiasts.

Be A Villager

As proven by the examples I listed above, I do not think laptops pose a detrimental threat to coffee culture – especially in Prague. To illustrate this point, I’ll reference a saying that’s often used to describe our era: “Everyone wants a village, but no wants to be a villager”. I think Czechs are very good at being villagers. Despite how many of you have characterized yourselves, I have had frequent encounters which prove you are looking out for each other – from strangers helping me carry furniture down the street, to the receptive people I interviewed for this article. In the same spirit, I see these new laptop policies as a sign that although we mourn the loss of a pre-digital connection, we still take steps to preserve community.