Cafes -do- take into consideration the free-riders. They sell quickly
prepared (or already prepared) food and drink. If they do provide table
service, the check comes quickly after you've ordered and there are still
people available at the counter for take-out service.
These allow them to serve those denied seats by customers who eat and sit
for hours, without disenfranchising the seat hogs. And having what would
seem to be superfluous table service may make would-be free-riders buy
something. At least, the free-rider may add to a tip (taking care of the
cost of waitstaff) when their friends order.
Dan Lewis
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
At 10:03 PM 9/14/00 EDT, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>I agree with Becker. Also, people like to go to cafes that please their
>customers. If a cafe is crowded, usually it means it is providing good food
>and service. The free rider makes the cafe look like it is providing good
>food and service.
>
>
>>From: fabio guillermo rojas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>Subject: Cafe Free riders
>>Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 20:17:58 -0500 (CDT)
>>
>>
>>Why do cafe's allow people to take up space and not buy anything?
>>
>>Becker's answer: the free rider makes the cafe look like the place
>>is crowded. People like to flock to crowded places to consume
>>the atmosphere. Some free riders are good for business.
>>
>>Cynics answer: cafe's discourage free riders by having small
>>uncomfortable furniture (see Starbuck's on E 53rd in chicago).
>>
>>Any comments?
>>
>>-fluffy
>>
>
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