Georgetown’s new Maman bakery frowns upon computer usage.

Submitted by washdc20001 t3_11ax7vb in washingtondc

Anyone been to this bakery yet? The pastries are fantastic, but curious if I’m the jerk that does not support their laptop policy. Today I ordered coffee and lunch, took a seat at the communal table in the back, pulled out my laptop and began to work/eat. I was promptly told that I was not allowed to have my computer out and that I needed to relocate the the ‘study area.’ Problem is, study area was full and no seating. AITA for thinking this is odd? I totally support keeping a bistro vibe rather than a Starbucks one, but I think it’s a bit over the top to ask someone to haul their stuff to a different section when we all know there are like 3 seats in the computer area. Important to note that there were at least 3-4 others in my same situation. Help me understand if I need to chill or just not patron this place.

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GuyNoirPI t1_j9ul18r wrote

It seems pretty reasonable to me. They don’t want their tables to be totally full of remote workers or students who don’t leave any room for customer churn.

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washdc20001 OP t1_j9um0om wrote

Okay, you’ve convinced me. I think it was just poor timing on handing me the meal and then saying ‘relocate.’ I walk back my statement. My intention wasn’t to stay long, but they didn’t know I wasn’t a camper for the day. Thanks!

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Macrophage87 t1_j9umvmd wrote

Yes, to second this, there's often a lot of times when people just buy a coffee and camp all day. The people who just want to come enjoy a coffee and/or pastry and can't find a spot because of it.

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washdc20001 OP t1_j9unf2j wrote

Yeah. That makes sense. I agree there are those that linger a little too long and hold up the seating availability. Georgetown has a lot of foot traffic and this bakery is new so I’m sure they’re guarding seating meticulously right now. I think I got a little twisted up on how/when the message was delivered. But I’ll definitely go back sans computer. My bad.

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romanceordelusion t1_j9v7hdh wrote

Just commenting to say what a nice perspective from you! Rare to see someone change their mind so reasonably

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DHN_95 t1_j9upa71 wrote

>But I’ll definitely go back sans computer.

You'll probably enjoy it more too. People watching, especially during tourist season, can be entertaining in itself!

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swampoodler t1_j9ul3b8 wrote

I really appreciate it. I fully support work from home, but people do tend to take over cafes with their work. I hate listening to someone’s Zoom meeting while I’m trying to vibe; I go to cafes to escape. The holding pen for people who want the cafe to be their office is hilarious though.

There’s plenty of other options to work in. Thanks for providing a cafe recommendation for me to check out!

Edit: Looked them up. “The Study” area is great! It allows all the people wanting to work from a cafe to do so together.

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Abject_Ad_2368 t1_j9v0f0i wrote

This! I was at Foxtrot yesterday and the lady next to me was having a full Teams meeting in the seating area. I support WFH but people should certainly read the room and be courteous to others.

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rlpw t1_j9v00ig wrote

I did some grading/work yesterday at a cafe while I waited for my bike to get fixed two doors down. The person next to me was in a meeting the entire time. Granted, they were using headphones with a mic - it was still like sitting next to someone talking on the phone.

I suppose it’s not different than sitting next to two people talking so idk

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swampoodler t1_j9v1byn wrote

Sometimes I swing by Cameo when they open at 8am to get a coffee, and even then there’s people with laptops ready to set up shop in a booth made for a group of customers. The audacity is wild.

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candidshark t1_j9yb6k3 wrote

There's a coffee shop near me that is always fully occupied by people on laptops taking up multi-person tables for themselves. If I'm meeting someone, I go early and wait for a table to open up, and then when my friend comes and we start talking, at least one person around us slams their laptop down and leaves.

I want to start handing out library cards...

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VulcanVulcanVulcan t1_j9vaa6i wrote

I think it’s poor form to camp out for hours and hours off of a $10 bill so that no one else can sit. On the weekend Georgetown is crowded so it’s difficult to get a seat at any coffee shop.

As a default, cafes shouldn’t be a WeWork.

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candidshark t1_j9ybfjx wrote

Honestly WeWork's biggest mistake was not marketing themselves as a really expensive coffee shop that didn't care if you sat with your computer all day. Stay here long enough and we'll give you a little closet to keep your shit in... (i.e. an office...)

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oliver_klosov3 t1_j9uzf89 wrote

Don't think you're an asshole, but I also think they have a right to do this.

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veloharris t1_j9uqby5 wrote

It's their establishment and they have every right to set policies. You need to chill.

Edit: you seem receptive to this, solid vibes OP

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washdc20001 OP t1_j9uqt28 wrote

Harsh. Cafes with communal tables and walk up ordering don’t usually give off the no computer vibe. I misunderstood and I will chill. No need to go there with ‘it’s their business, don’t go if you don’t like’ message.

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not_a_gumby t1_j9varxw wrote

Dude, don't you hate when you go to a coffee shop or bakery and just want to sit down for 5 minutes but you can't because there's 100 people "working" there on a sunday morning at 10am?

Yeah, it sucks. don't be one of those people

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moonbunnychan t1_j9wrdmd wrote

I wish more places would have this policy to be honest. This happens to me all the time and it's really frustrating when you see all the people with a single cup and very obviously camped out for the day with more available seats.

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not_a_gumby t1_j9x3r0m wrote

yeah Its really annoying. I really hate when people try to use the local coffee shop as a study hall. It's like, hey, you all have a house you can goto, stop it.

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HereticLocke t1_j9w5nhq wrote

do you allow computers?

maman is a laptop free environment. we don’t offer wifi, but we do offer freshly baked cookies and a relaxing atmosphere! reading, chatting, & daydreaming is encouraged… make a new friend or call your maman!

https://mamannyc.com/info/faq

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skooterszn t1_j9yjcnh wrote

Came here to say something similar. I heard the Georgetown location is the exception with the study area but that’s about it.

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DHN_95 t1_j9ul6qe wrote

Just relax, it's not the end of the world. You're not an *ssh*l* for thinking what you do. I applaud them for wanting to maintain the bistro vibe. In Europe, it's refreshing to see people actually relaxing, and engaged with each other instead of staring at screens, and frankly, it's nice that they're working to create that type of feel. There are plenty of places you can go, plug in, and camp out.

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Existing365Chocolate t1_j9w58rv wrote

It makes sense

You can’t just buy $5 of stuff or one meal and take over a spot for 4-8 hours a day

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mmmggg1234 t1_j9up13x wrote

Imo it’s kind of a dicky move but also somewhat understandable. You’re not wrong to be kind of annoyed

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GenericReditAccount t1_j9uowcc wrote

I’m more disappointed in their food than their computer policy. Their croissants are garbage and espresso drinks were unremarkable. The cookies look good, but I haven’t tried them yet.

I fully bought the hype and was excited for them to open. At least we still have Christophe for pastries and Compass for coffee.

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washdc20001 OP t1_j9upjxv wrote

I had a sandwich and coffee and it was pretty good. But I’m basic so I trust your review better than my own. Christophe is amazing.

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swampoodler t1_j9uqx0k wrote

I really can’t get behind Compass. Every time I order a basic milk based espresso drink it’s pretty tasteless.

If you have free time during the week, hit up Yellow. Their Georgetown location is fab and the drinks are alright. Avoid on the weekend, as it is a monstrosity of overcrowding.

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LoganSquire t1_j9urcu3 wrote

Agreed. Can’t trust any of these guy’s food opinions if he’s out there repping Compass.

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GenericReditAccount t1_j9v602d wrote

Tbf, I’m only repping Compass over Maman, specifically for coffee in that two-three block radius on Wisconsin Ave.

Beyond that, trust me on chocolate and pastries. My opinions on Coffee are far from reliable.

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SchokoKipferl t1_j9wkhq0 wrote

Definitely agree that Christophe is the best for pastries/desserts in that area.

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GenericReditAccount t1_j9urtxi wrote

That’s fair. I prefer Blue Bottle, but sometimes don’t have time to walk the extra bit.

I love Yellow. I don’t think I’ve had something from there that didn’t absolutely slap. Baklava croissant? C’mon! My bill always seems to be $2 or $3 dollars more than elsewhere, but it is def fantastic.

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Ok_Sleep_5724 t1_j9v5so4 wrote

Their store isn’t your office. They don’t want it to become that with people working everywhere and using their WiFi. You’re not entitled to an area to work while in a private establishment. Abide by their rules or find a new place.

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washdc20001 OP t1_j9vt7r8 wrote

Understood. I just wasn’t aware it was a ‘rule.’ No dramas. Now I know.

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Docile_Doggo t1_j9vs8f2 wrote

Huh. I went there after work on a weekday recently and didn’t have any problem working on my laptop for about 1 to 2 hours. Maybe just because it was later on a weekday they didn’t mind so much?

I’ve known of other cafes that have a no laptop policy but only on weekends and before a certain hour of the day on weekdays. I personally try not to frequent such places because the whole point of a cafe to me is that I get to sit and chill for a bit and not be rushed out the door. I like cafes that serve as “third spaces”.

But it’s totally the prerogative of each individual business over what kind of environment they want to have in their own cafe. And a no laptop policy seems more reasonable in a busy area like Georgetown and in places with relatively little seating.

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gator_fl t1_j9v0ii7 wrote

This was controversial in the '90s when some cafe owners and patrons would argue whether a cafe or communal space should turn into what some referred to as a Zombieland...people stuck to their computers. Some would have a no laptop policy and others would turn the wifi off after a certain hour or some days. Pretty well estabished that turnover of clients is usually required to run a business and that somebody with a laptop there for hours might eat/drink much less, compared to 3-5 patrons over same time.

Even now there are companies trying to block time out for people with dedicated space/power outlet if you sign up for a meal/coffee service plan. Some cafes/etc in Paris will kick you out for even taking out a laptop and jam area wifis and block sockets.

Looks like owner is trying to accomodate both.

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amonatare t1_j9vq13y wrote

Somewhat related to the thread, but what are some other places (aside from the library) in the area that are good for sitting down and quietly doing work on the computer? I want to be considerate of other restaurant patrons as well, I’ve always been one for studying / people watching in cafes so for places like maman and YELLOW to not allow laptop use is something I haven’t seen before. I can totally understand and respect why they would implement that policy though!

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bravomommy t1_j9wwa61 wrote

Honestly, I didn’t read past the title but Yellow the cafe has the same policy and that place is BOMB. They could tell me you couldn’t bring your phone in and I would oblige. Let businesses do their thing. Plenty of places especially in Georgetown to be on your tech

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Mediocre_Audience_61 t1_j9vxfwo wrote

I see both sides of this honestly. Like, it's nice if you're alone to have a coffee, do a bit of work. On the other hand, I've been in situations where I'm at a coffee shop with a friend where we've specifically met to chat and we're getting, like, icy death stares from teleworkers nearby since we were talking and upsetting the 'office' setting, LOL.

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SuperBethesda t1_j9uocu8 wrote

Tatte is better in every aspect.

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SchokoKipferl t1_j9wkoxi wrote

Yeah, the Tatte cafes are pretty spacious so they can easily accommodate people working there for a bit.

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leafonawall t1_j9v8r6m wrote

I hate not being able to work at some of my fave coffee shops bc of that.

However, just like it’s their choice to have that policy and a designated space, it’s my choice to find somewhere that does allow laptops or wait out a spot. There’s a lot of great local spots that still allow that.

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Guinea-Charm t1_j9x1v98 wrote

How awful for you. Your life sounds like a constant struggle. Thoughts and prayers to you and wishing you relief from these horrible burdens.

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