In the US, some cafes are banning e-readers (such as Kindle, iPad, etc.). Take a look.

What do you think? Does it spoil the ambience of a coffee shop for you if people are using electronic devices? Does use of laptops in cafes bother you? And what about e-readers? Have any of you come across such cafes?

Oh that's just silly. People use electronic reading devices because they're more convenient than actual books these days.

If they want to get rid of e-readers, I'd like to see them start making coffee without the use of electronic devices.

Ha - good point! If this daft kind of banning ever comes to the UK, I shall insist on a coffee made without electricity!

Oh that's silly IMO I mean come on isn't this the POINT of the e-readers and why certain places have made them proprietary? Like, Barnes & Nobles has their own.. Borders has their own.. etc?

I think this is just stupid! I don't see why some people would have a problem with someone using their e-reader, laptop and such electronic devices if they aren't disturbing others. I go to cafés a lot & always see at least someone using their laptop or iPad and it has never bothered me or the people I'm with.

Besides, I don't know about the US but, here in the UK, a lot of cafés have free Wi-Fi.
So, what would be the point in banning electronics if they give you free access? That just makes no sense at all! O__o

Also, it's like saying you can't use your mobile phones in a café? Um... really? -.-" So, if you're having a coffee & waiting for a friend or you're having a business meeting there & are waiting for your colleague, how the heck are you supposed to get in contact with them and vice versa!?

Imho, to ban electronics in cafés is just idiotic & pointless.

"If this daft kind of banning ever comes to the UK, I shall insist on a coffee made without electricity!" And I would probably do the same thing *laughs* You may as well cut the electricity in the café- no lights, cold coffee, lol. Wow- that would be great for the business *sarcasm*

If they are going to ban e-readers then they should ban books. And if they're gonna do that then they can shove their coffee up their bum, I'll stay home and have it!
What should it matter if people are sitting there with e-readers? As long as they are in their paying for their coffee, who cares!!! I don't mind if other people in coffee shops are on them, because that is their business! I'd be pissed if my boyfriend sat on one with me and ignored me, but that is my issue, not the cafe owners!

... That's utterly idiotic. I've worked in coffee shops for 2 years and if anything, they'd be more welcome then the massive amounts of schoolbooks that ppl would bring in and take up huge amounts of space (which I didn't mind as long as they didn't buy something but if forced to choose between the 2, I'd pick the guy w/ 1 lonely e-reader than the student w/ 4 billion massive books).

Ha! Yeah it's pretty silly considering technology improves and changes pretty much everyday. Maybe they should have reader and E-reader sections like back in the day they used to have smoking and non-smoking sections!

You just wouldn't hear this kind of issue arising in Australia!

Fucking stupid.

What they should do is have specific cell phone use locations (like outside the establishment), because what ruins the atmosphere is some loud jackass on his cell phone talking about how "wasted" he got over the previous weekend.

This IS pretty nuts.
At risk of having all our friends from the states bagging me...allow me to say..


Only In America ;)

What is the point in having Starbucks in Barnes & Noble or Joe Muggs in Books-A-Million if e-readers aren't permitted? If I wanna sit in the corner, drink my coffee, and read on my Nook while the guy across from me is blaring his iPod or screaming at his friend on the cell phone, then I should be able to.

I'd probably just go ahead and ban my patronage and such ridiculous places in return. How stupid.

That's ridiculous! So they are going to ban books, mobile phones, laptops, etc? Crazy.

I read the article (which was really well written, btw!) and I liked these lines the best "Knowing how to tune in and out, by turns, has long been a skill of cafe people. Now headphones facilitate that practice — both symbolizing and enforcing public solitude. That works for cafe novices, but in the long term, it’s the job of anyone in a public space to learn the fine art of ignoring people."

If you don't like what someone is doing--don't watch/participate/engage! It's their business, not yours, and as long as it's not infringing on what you're doing, who gives a rats ass?

This coming from a girl who used to tote my lap top to my local coffee shop (national chain) and sit for 3 hours at a time to play WoW because they had WiFi and I didn't. You know what, though? I RENTED that space because I paid $5 for my coffee, $4 for a sammich and $2 for a little snack AND I tipped the barristas. It's not like I go in there to steal the interwebz AND the table and deny them access to a paying customer.

Exactly. Worked in coffee shops for 2 yrs and I never had any problem with ppl who sat for hours if they even bought a mere $1.50 coffee. It was the ppl who sat for hours and didn't buy shit. >____

I am going to post a naughty spam for the new moderators to remove.

Click the egg!

This sounds like something that should be on memebase with hipster kitty. xD

Lol wut?! My god, do some people have nothing better to do? Geez Louise!