If you ever have time and want a good laugh, head to any Panera Bread or Starbucks at 2:00 PM. This my friends is 'regular' hour and I am not talking about the coffee. Right around 2:00 is when the at-homers, digital nomads, freelancers, and entrepreneurs head in and take over.
OK, yes, I am one of them. After working from home, alone, for days on end, it's good to get out and actually see real people for a while. Heck, even office workers could benefit from this; walls are walls at home or not and it's occasionally good to break away.
Believe it or not, the simple act of barking, "I'll take a hot tea" does wonders. Add the change of scenery and sounds you will experience and your senses are on a mini-field trip. You have your work on the laptop, but you're not in your pajamas and you're not at home - the brain juices are happy, ideas flow, and at least for me, my energy level seemingly doubles.
On to my point and it is important. As the world evolves into mobile-everything, you will most likely become a regular at one of these Wi-Fi hotspots. No, you won't visit daily, but in my opinion, once or twice a week makes you a regular. With that, comes responsibility. Do you know how to act and how to get the most out of the time you spend "out there"? You see, there is an art to it.
Here are a handful of things I've picked up over the last few weeks. What did I miss?
- Head for free stuff: One day the bean counters will get it; offering free Wi-Fi will bring in more long term customers and revenue versus charging me $2.95 for an internet connection. Where I live, Panera Bread is constantly packed with people and the Starbucks is quite empty. The economy is slipping and people are skipping the morning latte so they can afford automobile fuel; you MUST give them a reason to come in. Free Wi-Fi is that reason and it's the reason I hit up Panera - it's free, no questions asked, they simply get it.
Here are some other hotspots to consider:- Starbucks: Free now if you are an AT&T DSL subscriber at home.
- Panera: Always good, always free
- Caribou Coffee: Always good, always free
- McDonald's: Anywhere from free - $2.99, where available (UK) If you can't say no to fries, say no to this hotspot
- Libraries: Not as fun but hey, many libraries offer free Wi-Fi these days
- Hotspotr: Enter your city or zip code and hotspots are listed on a Google Map. If one is missing, add it without a login.
- Know The Rules: Ok, so you have found your favorite spot, now get to know it. I am not saying that you have to become best friends with the busboy, but pay attention to the rules of the establishment. While these hotspots like to have their seats full, they want you gone from 11-1 during the week. You see, you're solo. The group of business people that just walked in for lunch isn't. They will spend more money in 20 minutes than you will in 30 days. Be courteous and look out for posted Wi-Fi rules asking you to vacate at lunch time. Following the rules will ensure you're welcomed back and provided with good service.
- People Watching: Honestly, this is one of the best free pleasures on Earth and it's pretty addicting - albeit unproductive. If you often find yourself staring at people and mentally criticizing their outfit or habits, find a corner seat and stare towards the wall. However, if you are there to get rid of a creative block or if you just need a break, then stare away; there is something about watching everyday people that releases the creative juices.
- TIP: When people watching, keep your laptop open and peer just over the top of it. To everyone else, you appear to be staring at your monitor when in reality, you're watching someone chew with their mouth open.
- TIP: A lot of airports now have Wi-Fi access so this is a good spot to get some work and people watching done at the same time. It's often funnier than the coffee shop.
- TIP: When people watching, keep your laptop open and peer just over the top of it. To everyone else, you appear to be staring at your monitor when in reality, you're watching someone chew with their mouth open.
- Speaking of Tips: Take this one or leave it but when I am loitering and using a Panera Wi-Fi network for three hours while sipping a single Green Tea, I occasionally feel guilty and quite paranoid. Is that busboy giving me dirty looks? If he is or not, I do actually toss a couple bucks in that tip cup near the register. I know they are not paying for the Wi-Fi but they are cleaning up my mess everyday; why not do a little something for them?
- Cost / Weight Containment: Atmosphere change is good so get out of the office and work from a coffee shop occasionally, but, don't get a Venti Mocha Frappuccino with 2 muffins. First, that's like 1,000 calories and second, it's $9. Do that twice each week and you're dropping $72/month while adding a couple pounds. I stopped drinking coffee so for me it's tea (which is actually pretty cheap). I also skip the baked goods. Who knows the fat content of those muffins!
- The Million Dollar Idea: Remember, this is a hotspot, not an office. If I am sitting behind you and you are gabbing on your iPhone about a new website you're creating, the invention you thought of in the shower, or the movie idea you came up with, there is nothing stopping me from stealing your idea. Now, I am Dumb Little Man so I wouldn't do that, but the guy next to you right now just may.
Just because this hotspot has a couch, doesn't mean it's your casual corner of the world. - Cells: Speaking of iPhones and mobile phones in general, use a library voice. I am not going to turn this into a rant, but remember, this is not your office and you're not alone. Your loud voice is distracting everyone (ok, just me, but still).
- Food Court: If you work in an office building and there is a hotspot in the attached Food Court, don't use it if your intention is to break away mentally. You will inevitably have Joan from the office chewing your ear off the second she sees you. You have to leave your office building in order to get the maximum benefit. If you have a nationwide access card, heck - sit in a forest or go find a secluded beach. For you, location is up to you!
- Security: The last point to consider is security. While there are bound to be people that know how to secure their public Wi-Fi connection by tunneling to their home VPN (or something), I am not a professional at this. So, I would recommend NOT doing your online banking or taxes from a Panera or any other public Wi-Fi network. Maybe I am paranoid and it's totally safe; I am sure someone will let us know in the comments
- Jay White
