It’s never fun to go into a coffee shop to get some work done, only to have the couple at the table next to you loudly discussing an asinine topic, or the girls two booths over eagerly gossiping about someone’s love life. But those are the risks you take by going out in public, and such problems can usually be remedied with a pair of headphones, no problem. But one coffee shop has taken steps to control conversations, by banning “hipster” topics.
On a recent list of rules for diners, one California coffee shop issued the following decree:
“PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF OUR CALEDONIA NEIGHBORS BY:
…not talking about annoying hipster topics, or who you fucked last night. You shouldn’t do that anyhow, but our neighbors actually can hear you.”
OK, I can understand not wanting to hear all about someone’s sex life in public. (And if the neighbors can here, that really stinks for them!) But…”annoying hipster topics?” What are “annoying hipster topics?” Radiohead? Nylon magazine? Berets? I truly have no idea. Let me know what you think they are, readers! [via Gawker]
What topics are “annoying” and “hipster?” Do you like this rule?
guest
I have no idea what “annoying hipster topics” are. I can understand about not wanting to hear about their sexual conquests but it is silly to say that the patrons cannot discuss “annoying hipster topics.”
guest
1. how to get your jeans as tight as possible without cutting off your circulation
2. which thrift store has the ugliest vintage sweaters.
3. using non-organic products kills babies, kittens, and possibly makes the virgin Mary weep
4. Humans were actually evolved to not care about things.
5. Monkey Bread, vegan, fair trade of course.
6, how to get out of your tight jeans with ease.
7. Is farting in yoga class tragic or just ironic
and so many other interesting things. Hipsters should unite and be apathetic together about this issue.
guest
hahahha I am all for less rules, except in instances where the rules are funny
guest
Seriously could be almost anything.
dahlia / 2382 posts
Unless you walk in screaming your views in the shop, what people talk about in a PRIVATE conversation is nobody’s business.
guest
Any conversation that includes the phrase “FML” or “It’s not a popular thing” said in a positive light counts as a hipster topic, and should be banned. I wonder how they’ll enforce this… marshmallow guns for the baristas? This seems like a great idea…
daisy / 603 posts
@Shinbi_Belldandy@xanga - agreed.
Really, if you’re going to limit what people can say, you’ll lose customers.
I try to keep my conversations to reasonably quiet and don’t talk about things of a private matter in public, but.. if any place told me that they didn’t like something I was talking about, I would happily leave and never come back.
Your business is with my coffee – that is making sure I pay for it and don’t harass anyone else in the coffee shop. After that, leave me alone.
guest
@Erika_Steele@xanga - bahahha, that made my morning <3
dahlia / 2382 posts
@lttlegel – exactly!! Truthfully I think it has something to do with politics. I understand if you want everyone to feel welcome but to limit conversation kills your business.
guest
pretty sure it’s a joke
takingthingstoosrs.jpg
orchid / 101 posts
@Erika_Steele@xanga - I lol’d.
sunflower / 480 posts
Wow, that sign is so prejudice. Way to stereotype conversations to “hipster”, which most of us don’t even know what the heck it is. Plus, people are allowed to talk about whatever they want; it’s a well-known freedom in this country. That being said, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to talk about anything and everything aloud. That sign is correct in requesting that people have some dignity and manners when it comes to conversation topics.
guest
@Shinbi_Belldandy@xanga - Having a private conversation in public is not private. Anything within earshot is not private. the inclusion or eavesdropping of a third party makes your private conversation public knowledge. The second you disclose private information to another person no longer makes it private. It’s a risk anyone takes having a conversation.
This rule is dumb. If anything they should regulate noise pollution without discriminating against… “hipsters”. They are people too and their opinions are just as valid as the next.