‘Laptoppers’ fill coffee shops in Utrecht, not every business is happy with it: ‘We turn up the music nice and loud’ | Utrecht
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Utrecht coffee shops are becoming increasingly popular study places. But not every café is happy with it, so house rules are being introduced. Or working is discouraged in a creative way. “We haven’t had Wi-Fi for thirteen years.”
More and more people are happy to open their laptop in a coffee shop in Utrecht, to study or work. Isaac Opoku, owner of Kushiin in Ridderschapstraat, also sees this. “We see that in the autumn and winter months the number of people with a laptop in the business increases. I understand that too.”
And he also sees a growing number of ‘laptop users’ at the moment. “I still allow it now, because it is a bit quieter, especially in the morning hours. But in the summer months I have a ‘preferably no’ policy. You then miss places in the restaurant, and we cannot miss that occupancy.”
Flex spaces with sockets
This is different at Het Gegeven Paard at Vredenburg. They have had special places for ‘laptop users’ for some time now. “There are the flexible workspaces with sockets,” says company manager Jessica Vis, pointing to a set of high tables under green lamps. “If it is very busy, we can also open upstairs. There are even more of those flexible places. We are known for it.”
And it shows. “I’m not from Utrecht, but I had an appointment in the city. I still had to finish some things and knew that was possible here,” says a student – after a sip of her espresso. “I often sit in the library, but now I like the noise around me.” Another student at an opposite table also says he likes the commotion. “I find it too quiet in the library.”
Abrupt stimuli
Because no matter how crazy it sounds, the noise in cafes is the reason for many people to study or work there. According to Stefan van der Stigchel, professor of cognitive psychology at Utrecht University, this is easy to explain.
Many people find it difficult to get started. And seeing it work makes it work
Stefan van der Stigchel
“It sounds very strange actually, but some people need commotion to be able to close themselves off better. The brain is very sensitive to abrupt stimuli. In a busier environment, these abrupt stimuli disappear into the other sounds. That’s why you often see people listening to music while they work. That has the same kind of effect.”
But in addition to the sound, the other attendees are also an important reason, according to van der Stigchel. “Many people find it difficult to get started. And seeing it work makes it work.”
Laptop ban or no WiFi
Yet not every catering business is waiting for those working customers. Several businesses like Kushiin have no room for ‘laptoppers’. At Broodnoot on the Mariaplaats they have a laptop ban between 12 noon and 3 p.m. “We decided on this because of the small space and the coziness. We only have 13 tables here. If someone is working on their laptop, I can imagine that the guest next to it may feel bothered by talking too loudly, for example.”
At The Village Coffee & Music on Voorstraat they are also not too enthusiastic about the ‘laptop’ people. “We are not against laptops, but neither are we pro laptops,” says manager Ray. “We haven’t had Wi-Fi for thirteen years.” But that doesn’t stop everyone. “There are mainly regular people who come in at exactly five o’clock and then go to work for an hour and come for a chat.”
However, it has now been decided to hang a sign at the associated restaurant stating that no laptops are allowed there. “Next door it is really a restaurant where people can have a bite to eat and a drink. We also started out as a kind of pub, but during the day and with coffee. That’s why the music is so loud and we don’t have WiFi. It should be really fun.”
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