(ThyBlackMan.com) As much as I love trying out local cafes and independent stores and restaurants, there are some times when you just need something familiar. My buddy Ahmed Nashaat and I have done a fair amount of traveling in the last 3 years, which has been very different to the travels we’ve taken in the past. Ahmed and I both run an online business now and that means that traveling requires some office time to check in and get some work done whilst we are on the road. We have found that despite our desire to try out new places, Starbucks is the obvious choice when it comes to getting work done.
Internet
The first thing to mention is free internet, and free internet which works. Starbucks understand exactly what they are used for by the public and this is why around the world they have cafes with solid internet which you can use to get some work done. I can’t tell you how many issues I’ve had with slow wifi and difficult connectivity in some places, some even don’t have the internet, which makes this the perfect option.
Working Stations
Something else which has become a real bone of contention for me is the chair and table styles in some cafes. The range of uncomfortable chairs, poor ergonomics in terms of the table height and even a lack of tables in favor of sofas in some places has made working on the road extremely difficult at times. This once again is where Starbucks get it just right, tables for working on one side and sofas for relaxing on the other. Essentially you know that if you come to one of their cafes, that you are going to have the space you need to get some work done.
Long Stay
There is a pressure which you get when you go to many cafes to keep on asking for food and drinks, which can of course get pretty expensive. This is not the case at all in a Starbucks cafe and to be honest you can squeeze around 3 or 4 hours out of a single coffee, without anyone asking you what else you would like or trying to force the bill on you. Even the CEO of Starbucks recognizes this and has announced that the chain really don’t mind how long you stay in their premises, perfect for those on a budget.
Out and About
There is the temptation to stay in your hotel or your rental property whilst you are traveling in order to get some work done, but then what is the point in traveling! At the very least in Starbucks you are going to see signs of life, meet some cool people and watch the world go by as you work.
If you are like me and enjoy trying out new and independent places, you’ll know that there are often exceptions to be made, and for me, that exception is Starbucks.
Staff Writer; Brad Jacobs