Seeking Silence, and Finding Bustle
I can get away with dressing down—in a loose linen shirt (the hem of which I haven’t ironed, because who cares?), adventure flip-flops, and a canvas backpack, which makes me look like a sleep-deprived architect, or at the very least, not a corporate slave chasing deadlines.
The place I choose today is "Ruang Temu," a new café that’s supposedly cozy and perfect for working. Reality hit me the moment I opened the café’s glass door—the music here wasn’t the laid-back Lo-Fi beats that help me focus. It was thumping techno that made me feel like I was waiting in line to get into a club at one in the morning.
The barista, a long-haired guy in a leather apron, greeted me with a shout, “WELCOME, S...I! WHAT’D YOU LIKE TO ORDER?!” I gave a stiff smile. “One espresso, sir. Is there a table near an outlet?” He pointed to the only empty table in the corner. “There is, sir. But the outlet’s a bit loose, so you’ll need to prop it up with a tissue.”
First red flag, but I’m a fighter—I sat down, pulled out my laptop, and tried to connect to the Wi-Fi. The café’s Wi-Fi name: “Don’t Just Freeload.” The password: “Orderalot.” Some seriously depressing humor.
Just as I managed to log in, an urgent meeting invitation popped up from the data and reporting department—of course, it was a request for data on the progress of development projects up to this month. Without a second thought, I clicked “Join.”
The problem was, I’d forgotten that I was sitting right under a massive speaker. “Hello, Wise. Can you explain the progress on our installation tower?” Mr. secretary’s faint voice came through, almost drowned out by the thumping bass that made my wooden desk shake. “Of course, sir,” I replied, bringing my mouth close to the laptop’s microphone until my lips touched the camera. “The progress is very… BUM BUM BUM… significant, sir! We’re targeting… BUM BUM BUM… a functional test in the first week of April.”
I panicked, I tried to mute the microphone, but my hand accidentally knocked over my fresh cup of latte. The brownish-white liquid spilled—not onto the desk, but onto the thigh of my previously stylish linen pants. “Wise? Are you still there? It sounds like you’re at a dangdut concert,” Mr. secretary asked suspiciously.
With what little self-respect I had left, I unmuted myself. “Sorry, sir, I’m testing the background music for the grand opening later.” As I spoke, I tried to wipe the coffee spill off my pants with a tissue I’d snatched from the table next to me. My movements looked very suspicious on camera, as if I were doing something inappropriate under the table.
Mr. secretary was silent for a long time; a long-haired barista walked past me and shouted, “THE CHANGE IS SHORT BY TWO THOUSAND, SIR! WANT TO EXCHANGE IT FOR CANDY?!” I turned off the camera, closed my laptop, and glanced at my wet pants.
WFA at an aesthetic café is a myth; tomorrow I’m going back to my kitchen table. At least there, the only distraction is my cat trying to eat the mouse cursor.
A very entertaining story that could easily happen. Based on my experience working at McDonald's, it's the ideal place to work in the mornings. However, you should bring a warm jacket, because their tactic is to set the air conditioning so cold that no one will try to stay longer than necessary to eat their order. Oh, and the coffee is usually from top brands, just like in coffee shops, but cheaper.
0.00 SBD,
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What about music? Does McDonald’s management have good taste?
In other words, McDonald’s has a good strategy for creating a sense of unease—in a cool, detached way—unlike Trump, who likes to stir things up.
He he music depends which manager is at the local 😆 of course not so loud, that's the good thing 😜
Maybe it also depends on the female manager’s mood?
Lol 😆 each one, male or female has their own playlist even when there is an official corporate playlist 😂
It’s true, isn’t it? In many situations, people tend to put their own interests first, don’t they?
Always, I'm afraid 😟
No one tries to stay longer with us. People lack table manners and eat worse than pigs and dogs do. It's gone within 2 minutes if not one.
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@wakeupkitty
Not only has table manners been lost, people really seem like cavemen; some don't even know how to use the words thank you and please!
That wet pants is definitely worth an upvote. Thanks for the good laugh.
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@wakeupkitty
It’s great to be in touch again and make you laugh, @wakeupkitty. I’m sorry I disappeared for so long without a word.
Despite so much readiness for the meeting, it all went bad.
Once in a while I pop into a cafe to get a coffee. The owners are mostly like, 'You're going to sit, right?'
Umm... no. I'll just take it with me.
I see a coffee shop and instantly I want it.
Whenever I visit the shop, I think of studying or working there on my laptop, but the eyes on me, I will be anxious.
Someday I will try.
I really liked how you went about it.
I don’t really care what people think, because I have my own world, while they might still be caught up in their own affairs and look at me with disdain.
Our hands aren’t enough to cover the eyes and mouths of so many people, are they?
then I should learn something from you,
lol
I think you’re a quick learner; you’re on the right track.