Hellobee Boards

I've left mine a few times, and I generally ask someone to keep an eye on it for me, or if there is no one nearby I just hurry back. I could be overly trusting, though. I've watched stuff (backpacks, laptops) for people lots of times, though! Us friendly Canadians

Nope I'm paranoid and I don't trust people. I usually leave papers laying about to save my spot, but I throw my laptop in my huge person and take it with me to the bathroom (score 1 for purses).

I leave it. Eta it's my work pc laptop!

No way. I never leave any valuables. It only takes one second for someone to take it.

I would bring it with me. Put it in my book bag and so it's not 'out' while I do my business.

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.

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!

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.

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!!!

I think I would use one of those laptop locks if I did this regularly and still ask someone to watch over it.

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....

Depends what cafe/neighborhood/patrons I suppose. I would probably ask someone to watch it.

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

@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.

@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.

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.

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.

I am far too trusting.