> I think, in spite of the theoretical want for quiet space and isolation, there's a very human need at work to be in the middle of the action
This is why I, and many others like working in coffee shops. There's usually an ambient background noise which makes it feel like you are involved in something, but it doesn't require your direct attention. I think there's also a subconscious element to having activity around you which keeps you focussed. I personally find it easy to look at cat videos on the internet when no one can see my screen, but when I know people might walk past me when at a coffee shop, or at work, it keeps me focussed.
I am one of those people that can not comprehend how people work in coffee shops, I have tried it in the past, and have trouble even figuring out what I wanted to work on. Every time I see something move out the corner of my eye I need to look at what is going on. Every time a new sound starts or an existing sound stops I take notice. I am constantly afraid someone will sit down at the same table as me and try to take some of the precious little space I have sprawled with notes. This happened once and I tried to keep working but then there was a persons face like 3 feet away from mine over a tiny table and I lasted about 5 min before just leaving.
I can do crap like respond to emails, make todo lists, read documentation, write specifications, and google for the solutions to known problems. I am however fortunate enough to have a job where all that makes up a minuscule fraction of the work I do, most of my work is in solving new problems by developing and implementing algorithms. And that requires thinking on my part which is something I am completely unable to do with new thoughts about my changing surroundings constantly entering my head. My work provides two person offices with enough space to be comfortable. As well as common areas where you can work if you so choose to be out in that type of noisy environment. Only a handful of people make use of the common areas for anything besides eating lunch or having scrum.
I believe it is because nearly everyone's work involves either thinking or being in meetings all day. And while I will not be supporting it I believe if you give someone who needs to think the choice between a nice quiet office where it is accepted that if their door is closed you don't bother them, or a nice common area with the noises of people walking by and milk being frothed, they will eventually realize they are more productive where there are fewer distractions. (Not that everyone wants to be more productive)
I'm with you. I can write emails and do "busy work" in those situations, but the actual hard work, building new things, engineering, etc. I need to be as cut off as possible. I've even just started working nights again to get on with such work because the noise and sights of anyone being around has been throwing me off.
I like working in coffee shops, except for the fact that I often have to go to the trouble of getting there to find nowhere to sit, since it filled up with squatters that have been there 3+ hours (several of which are one person filling up a big table, with everything spread around like it's their personal desk)
I'm saying that I want to go and work for a couple of hours, and if everyone did the same, we'd all have seats. The problem is those who think their $3 purchase rents them a desk for 4 hours, and those who need to take up more room than they really need.
How is that different from what you described you doing? Are you not going there, and working for a couple hours, and probably not constantly purchasing large amounts of food or drink?
You seem to have a righteous indignation about people doing what you've described yourself as doing.
I think one drink per 2 hours is pretty reasonable. Maybe it should be one every 1 hour, or maybe one every 4 hours is reasonable. At the end of the day, it's convenient and helps make the coffee shop owners money, but it's not a coworking space, and I'm a fan of "fair share".
I use this app (also a webapp if you don't want to download) called Coffitivity https://coffitivity.com/ which recreates the unintelligible murmur of a coffee shop. I find with decent headphones, it acts as a good sort of white noise in open work spaces.
I also find this works well, but I've often had to leave when a particularly loud and distracting conversation starts nearby. So really, the best option is to have open, communal areas and also quiet concentration areas.
This is why I, and many others like working in coffee shops. There's usually an ambient background noise which makes it feel like you are involved in something, but it doesn't require your direct attention. I think there's also a subconscious element to having activity around you which keeps you focussed. I personally find it easy to look at cat videos on the internet when no one can see my screen, but when I know people might walk past me when at a coffee shop, or at work, it keeps me focussed.