- Starbucks has a problem with South Korean ‘Cagonjok’
- People create desktops, screens and even printers in public spaces
- The number of coffee shops in South Korea has doubled for a decade
Starbucks stores across South Korea allegedly set up the signs that ask customers not to create mobile offices in their stores in a crash on mobile workers.
The Korean herald Shared images of characters displayed across stores in the country that warn customers to be considerate about how they use spaces in stores: “Personal desktops, printers, power strips and screens cannot be used in the store.”
It is not uncommon to see individuals working in Starbucks stores (and other coffee shops) globally, but it is clear to become a special problem in South Korea where a tribe of coffee shops appears to have formed.
Starbucks asks customers not to bring their work to the store
With the characters, Starbucks is targeted at a small but presidential group known as ‘Cagonjok’ – a portmanteau of Korean words for ‘cafe’ and ‘study strain’.
“At tables that can be used by more people, you need to be significant so that other customers can use them as well,” reads the sign (translated from Korean).
Cagonjok has been seen with full-on desktop setups in stores, including desktops, separate peripheral devices and even partitions and office stalls.
“If you leave your seat for a long time, be sure to take your belongings with you to secure smooth seating,” the sign adds.
Laptops and regular examination remain allowed, but the company tackles more permanent use of its space for work.
The Korean herald Notes that the number of coffee shops in the country has almost doubled since 2015, largely driven by a tendency for remote work, but estimates from Korea Foodservice Industry Research Institute suggest that the price of a coffee covers only an hour and 31 minutes of seat time before it becomes unpaid.
