Miss Manners: If it’s one person with a laptop, can I ask to share their table?

Sharing a Table with Someone Knitting - A Coffee Shop Conundrum

You're at the local coffee shop, and you notice someone sitting alone by themselves with their laptop. As you consider grabbing an empty table nearby, you think it would be impolite to approach them about sharing the table.

However, according to Miss Manners, a polite person might take advantage of this opportunity. They believe that since both parties have laptops, they're likely to be focused on work and may not feel the need to engage in small talk.

Miss Manners offers a nuanced view when it comes to knitting, a popular hobby among young people. While sharing table space with someone at home while their partner is occupied or cooking might not be ideal, coffee shops, trains, and other public spaces seem like acceptable places for this activity.

But the key factor is whether others are feeling left out. If you're aware of this possibility, it's perfectly fine to take up a shared table space, as long as it's in a casual environment where people aren't usually expected to chat or dine together.

As Miss Manners so astutely pointed out, etiquette can vary greatly depending on the situation and location. So next time you spot someone knitting at the coffee shop, consider approaching them with kindness - they might just appreciate the extra space!
 
omg that's such a good point about people knitting at cafes being more chill than when they're home 🤷‍♀️ it's all about knowing your audience and not making others feel left out. if someone's clearly in their own world with their laptop, i think it's cool to snag the table next to them. but yeah, if you notice people looking a bit miffed or like they'd rather be alone, maybe just keep on searching for another spot 🍵
 
I'm tellin' ya, back in my day we didn't even think twice about sharin' a table with someone... like, doin' their thing. I mean, if you're knittin', that's your thing, right? But now it seems like people are all about bein' polite and whatnot.

I gotta say, it's kinda funny how Miss Manners makes a big deal out of this. I'd just chill with the person and start a convo, you know? 'Hey, love the scarf you're makin', where'd you get that yarn?' Something like that. And if they don't wanna talk, no worries, just be cool about it.

I think the key is just to be considerate of others, but not make a big deal outta it either. If someone's in a coffee shop and wantin' some extra space, you could just ask 'em if you can join 'em. I mean, they might appreciate the company or whatever. But if they're all absorbed in their own thing, that's cool too.

It's funny how etiquette has changed over the years... but hey, at least we've got some good rules of thumb now! 👍
 
omg i feel u if u saw someone knitting in a coffee shop & u thought it was rude to approach them but its actually kinda nice that miss manners said it's okay as long as ppl rnt bein left out 🤗🛋️
 
I'd be down for sharing a table with someone knitting at the coffee shop 🙏... as long as it's not like we're in some fancy salon or meeting room 🤔. Just think about how comfy that could be, knowing you've got your laptop and they've got their yarn 😊. It's all about being considerate of others around us, right? If I see someone knitting at the coffee shop, I'll just grab a seat next to them and enjoy my own work in peace 💻... or maybe strike up a convo if they seem friendly 🤗.
 
😊 I mean, come on, if someone's got a laptop and they're not looking to chat, what's the harm in grabbing an empty table nearby? 🤔 I used to have friends who'd work out of coffee shops all day, it was like second nature for them. And honestly, knitting just seems like a super chill thing to do while you're working – don't see why others would get upset about it. If you're in a quiet corner with your own laptop, go for it! Just be considerate if someone's trying to focus, ya know? 🤗
 
idk about this... i mean, what's wrong with asking if its okay to join? just 'cause they're typing away dont mean they're not up for a convo. plus, who says knitting is always gonna be quiet work time? maybe they're watching a vid or podcast while working on their scarf lol. and yeah, coffee shops are public spaces, so its only fair to assume other ppl might wanna chat... just sayin'
 
🤔 I mean, what's wrong with people knitting in coffee shops anyway? 🧶 It's not like it's a party or something. But yeah, if there are a bunch of solo laptop users nearby, it might be kinda cool to grab an empty table next to them... just don't go all "I'm gonna steal their space" and start snooping around. That would be super rude! 😒
 
I mean... why not? I was at a coffee shop like that last week and this one lady was knitting away while typing on her laptop. We ended up sitting together and it wasn't a problem at all. In fact, we chatted about our shared love of writing 😊. It's all about being considerate of others but also not a total stranger. I don't think sharing a table with someone who seems busy is impolite... just be nice and ask if they mind you joining them 🤗.
 
omg I know what you mean! 😂 I was sittin' in this cafe last week and saw a girl knittin away on her scarf, so chillin 🧶💼. I felt like approachin her 'n askin if we could share the table, but then again, she might be too engrossed in her project to care 😅. Guess Miss Manners got a point there tho - it's all about readin the room & checkin if ppl are feelin left out 🤔. I think it's cool that coffee shops are gettin more chill 'n accepting of people knittin, crochetin etc... it's like, hey! we're all here 2 relax n unwind 🌿
 
I personally think that sharing a table with a knitter is totally fine... as long as you're not being super obvious about it 😊. I mean, if you're gonna grab an empty table next to someone who's already occupied, just chill and see how they react. If they seem okay with it, great! You can just sit back, enjoy your coffee, and maybe even strike up a convo if they're into it 🤗. But honestly, I've been in situations where I'm trying to get some work done, and someone's knitting away next to me... and I was like, "Uh, thanks for the ambiance?" 🙃. It's all about being considerate of others, you know? 😊
 
I love how coffee shops are slowly becoming more relaxed about people sharing tables 🤗. I personally think it's genius to take advantage of that extra table space - whether it's for work or knitting 🧶📊. As long as you're not disturbing others, there's no reason why someone should be made to feel left out just because they're doing something creative 😊. Plus, who knows, you might even strike up a conversation and make a new friend 💬! Just imagine being able to sip your coffee while working on a project or chatting with a fellow crafting enthusiast... sounds like the ultimate multitasking bliss 🎉.
 
I'm not sure I agree with Miss Manners on this one... 🤔 I mean, what if that person is waiting for a friend or family member and has no idea when they'll arrive? Or maybe they're trying to get some work done but don't want distractions? Taking up the whole table just because someone's knitting might come across as really inconsiderate.

And honestly, how many people actually knit at coffee shops these days? 🧵 I've only seen it on social media or in movies. In reality, it's a pretty niche activity. But hey, if you're into it and want to share your table with someone who's also into solo activities, go for it! Just be aware of your surroundings and make sure it's not ruining anyone else's vibe.

I do think Miss Manners has a point about etiquette varying depending on the situation, but I'd say there's a fine line between being considerate and taking up space without thinking about others. 😐
 
I actually think it's kinda nice when people knit at cafes, it's like a calming vibe 🧵😌 but yeah, it can be weird if you're trying to work or study and someone else is taking up the whole table. Maybe it's just personal preference tho? But if someone does come over and asks, I'd say "sure thing!" because we all need a break from our screens every now and then 📊💻
 
omg ugh i was there like 2 days ago @ that coffee shop & honestly it was kinda weird seeing ppl knitting lol but idk about the etiquette thing... if ur gonna sit down w/ someone who's already got a laptop why not chat? its 2025 btw where r we at? 🤷‍♀️ they should just make it clear on the sign like "knitting table available" or smthn 😂
 
omg I think it's super rude to even suggest that it's okay to take up a table without asking the person already there 🤔... but then again, if both people have laptops and are just trying to get some work done, maybe it's not so bad? 🤷‍♀️... wait no, I mean what about when you're knitting? that's like, totally different 😂... or is it? 🤓 I don't know, can we even agree on this? 😅
 
I kinda feel like it's up to us to decide if we want a tablemate or not. Like, if someone's busy typing away on their laptop, maybe they don't wanna chat 🤔. But if you notice they're knitting and still got room for another cuppa ☕️, go ahead and ask! The thing is, it's all about vibes... if the place feels chill enough that people aren't expected to hang out, sharing a table might be cool. Otherwise, it's better to grab your own spot 📚

Here's a simple flowchart to help us out:
```
+---------------+
| Is the space |
| kinda chill? |
+---------------+
| yes
| ask politely!
| no
| get your own table
| (just be nice)
```

What do you think, should we just ask or keep it to ourselves? 🤗
 
omg i love this convo!!! i've been there too when i see someone sitting alone with their laptop, it's like they're an open book waiting to be sat down 📚💻 but at the same time, you don't wanna be that person who just goes in and sits down without asking. idk what miss manners said about knitting being ok in coffee shops, tho... i've never been one for knitting myself lol. but seriously though, if ppl are working and not expecting to chat, go for it! take up the space and maybe even strike a convo 💬👍
 
omg i got a seat next to someone knitn and its super comfy lol but then i think about how ppl might feel if i join them and take up that spot 🤔 so yeah probs better ask if they wanna share or something tho 👌
 
omg what's the deal with people knitting in public tho?! 🤔 i'm kinda chill about it but like if u r gonna be on ur phone or laptop for hours, why bother makin a mess of the whole table? plus, don't get me wrong but that's just a nice way of sayin someone is lonely and needs some human interaction 😂 gotta respect that. idk maybe its just me but public knitting spaces feel like they're just lookin for attention or somethin 😏
 
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