Hellobee Boards Topic: If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?

Hellobee Boards Topic: If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 10:42:40 +0000 simplyfelicity on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1940141 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:30:46 +0000 simplyfelicity 1940141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I am far too trusting. BSB on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1940098 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:09:35 +0000 BSB 1940098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @ShootingStar: @macintosh: oh, good idea on the laptop lock. macintosh on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1939686 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 14:49:54 +0000 macintosh 1939686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'd do a laptop lock like @ShootingStar said. I like the ones with the combination instead of a key. I think they are about $15-$20. We always used them in my previous life in hotel AV. Totally worth it. ShootingStar on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1939572 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 14:03:13 +0000 ShootingStar 1939572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I bring a laptop lock with me and secure it to the table if I need to use the bathroom. namaste on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1939312 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 12:35:22 +0000 namaste 1939312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It depends on where I'm working. If I'm at our local cafe, then I leave it (lock it) unattended because the baristas are usually nice enough to watch and no one wants my laptop lol. If I'm downtown, I take it with me to the bathroom. twodoghouse on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938967 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 10:18:33 +0000 twodoghouse 1938967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I just wouldn't use the bathroom while there because I wouldn't know what to do! I haven't really worked at a cafe for any substantial amount of time since college though. And in college I probably would have left it because I only went to places full of other college kids so it seems safe! californiadreams on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938959 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 10:16:29 +0000 californiadreams 1938959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: if i saw a thief taking the laptop i was asked to watch over, i would definitely say something to them. I don't think i would run after them. But in the time it takes them to unplug it and fold it and pick it up, i would intervene for sure. i also only really leave mine in really crowded places when it is difficult to even get to my seat, so it would be difficult for someone to steal it without everyone noticing. therefore i am just not that worried about someone stealing it. as for the thing someone said about losing files, i have everything backed up elsewhere so i am not worried about actually losing my work. Mrs. Lemon-Lime on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938946 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 10:11:58 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1938946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @jedeve: @irene: that's why I don't ask and just leave the darn thing. I notice when people leave stuff and will keep an eye on it to make sure someone doesn't take the table that's *obviously* in use, but that's it. Asking me to actually watch your stuff doesn't mean I will do any more than what I woulddo if tthe person had not asked. californiadreams on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938942 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 10:11:05 +0000 californiadreams 1938942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @luckypenny: good point. i have been going to the same couple of starbucks for the past 3 years and recognize the patrons (and tons of people leave their laptops unattended) If i was in a shady area and i felt it was unwise to leave for it any reason, then i wouldn't. but i am probably still too trusting. i do always take my phone and wallet, i just leave everything else. californiadreams on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938933 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 10:09:10 +0000 californiadreams 1938933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ i always leave it and sometimes ask people to watch it. I probably should be more vigilant. I've had people ask me and i always say yes unless i am planning to leave in the next few minutes, but i tell them that's why. One time some guy didn't seem to believe i was leaving though and insisted he would be gone just a few minutes. He was actually gone for over 10 minutes, and lucky for him i was still packing up when he returned, but i was thinking "seriously. you expect me to wait for you when i just said i was leaving in a few minutes! ask someone else or take it!" irene on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938884 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 09:54:51 +0000 irene 1938884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would say, if you choose to leave the laptop unattended, don't ask people to watch it for you.... because what if someone really snatched it from the table and ran? What do you expect that person who was supposed to be watching it for you to do? Chase after them? But then I see the dilemma... I guess that's why I never work out of a cafe haha looch on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938767 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 09:00:27 +0000 looch 1938767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Omg, no. I don't trust anyone...but then again, I don't regularly bring my devices to a cafe to work. I used to leave my laptop set up in the library at college regularly though, we'd all just go save our spaces and go to dinner. When we'd come back, nothing was touched, ever. When I think about it I cringe, because it could have so easily walked out the door. luckypenny on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938758 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:45:10 +0000 luckypenny 1938758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Depends what cafe/neighborhood/patrons I suppose. I would probably ask someone to watch it. Bubbles on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938724 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 07:52:56 +0000 Bubbles 1938724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Good lord no, round here that would be like inviting someone to help themselves! I would pack it up and take it with me - far easier in the ladies I guess where there is a hook on the back of the door! Mrs. Lion on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938717 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 07:42:19 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1938717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I live in a relatively low crime small suburban town. Ive never felt weird leaving it on the table. I definitely wouldnt in a big city or a less safe area though. Seriously, i left my keys accidentally on top of the trunk of my car while i was in walmart for about an hour yesterday and both my keys and car were undisturbed. I am painfully naieve about these things.... lamariniere on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938705 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 07:12:44 +0000 lamariniere 1938705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No way! I can't even begin to imagine the nightmare of losing files (work, pics, music), it's not really about the device, but what's inside it! Pumuckl on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938683 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 04:44:21 +0000 Pumuckl 1938683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think I would use one of those laptop locks if I did this regularly and still ask someone to watch over it. Rainbow Sprinkles on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938664 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 03:03:13 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 1938664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes! But the only cafe I frequent is owned by a longtime friend of mine, and most of the customers in there I know or they live in my neighborhood. I don't think I would leave it anywhere else, though. gracecat on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938656 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 02:39:29 +0000 gracecat 1938656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In the US never! I'd bring it with me. Such a hassle tho. In Tokyo people leave their laptops and routinely leave their iPhones on a table to reserve it while they go order drinks even on a different floor. Blows my mind. Still makes me nervous!!! daniellemybelle on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938548 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:23:54 +0000 daniellemybelle 1938548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I work from coffee shops often. I leave it if there is someone friendly looking to ask to watch it. If not, I will let an employee know and they have never had an issue with it. Why would someone say no!?! PrincessBaby on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938507 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:00:50 +0000 PrincessBaby 1938507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ If it's my work PC laptop, I leave it (it's heavier, and if I close the screen it will knock me off of my company's secure network that I have to log into, so I take my chances!). If it's my work iPad, no way. If it's my personal Macbook, no way. I never bring my Mac to a coffee shop, but if I did, I'd never in a billion years leave it on the table. Mrs. Pen on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938500 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:56:26 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1938500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ If there is someone here that I know, then yes I'd ask them and leave it. But typically I take it with me! It's too valuable of an item to lose. jedeve on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938498 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:54:44 +0000 jedeve 1938498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Gosh, I haven't worked at a coffee shop since college! But then I would usually just be with a friend. In the library I would just leave it. Eta: if someone asked you to watch something, would you actually try and stop someone from taking it? I wouldn't. All it's good for is hopefully they could give you a good description of the thief! BSB on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938494 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:51:38 +0000 BSB 1938494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mrbee: BTW, when I first read this, it sounded like you were 'working' at a café... like as an employee of the café. I was like whoah! Mr.Bee got a second job?!? Hehe. BSB on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938486 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:48:42 +0000 BSB 1938486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would bring it with me. Put it in my book bag and so it's not 'out' while I do my business. :silly: Whenever I eat lunch and bring my iphone or ipad with me. When they call my number to pick up my food, I take my iphone and ipad with me. I'm in full view of my seat and the lunch counter, but I just don't want chance it. Now I know iphones and ipad are easier to swipe then a laptop, but it's still an expensive item that I would be devastated if someone took. Now if I see someone go to the bathroom and leave their laptop, I 'might' do the same. But I think I would be weird and take it with me. coopsmama on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938424 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:22:03 +0000 coopsmama 1938424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In college I would leave it and ask someone to keep an eye on it all the time. I never had a problem. However, the coffee shops I frequented were full of other college students (went to school in LA so plenty of them around!) with laptops so we all had each other's backs when it came to this! Andrea on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938415 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:18:32 +0000 Andrea 1938415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No way. I never leave any valuables. It only takes one second for someone to take it. yellowbird on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938413 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:18:19 +0000 yellowbird 1938413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nope, I wouldn't leave it. mrsjyw on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938383 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:01:09 +0000 mrsjyw 1938383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I leave it. Eta it's my work pc laptop! mamimami on "If you're working at a cafe, do you leave your laptop at your table when you go to the bathroom?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youre-working-at-a-cafe-do-you-leave-your-laptop-at-your-table-when-you-go-to-the-bathroom#post-1938345 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 20:44:29 +0000 mamimami 1938345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No I would never ever leave it. EVER. Someone stole my wallet at Starbucks a few months ago and I was sitting RIGHT THERE.