Sitting at a cafe - missing my coworking space

As I type this I am doing exactly what I am not supposed to be doing, I am working in a cafe.  Recently the on the Business Pundit blog, Drea posted about coworking versus the coffee shop.  He made some excellent points on the benefits of coworking.  Among the:
-You pay a flat membership fee instead of a daily fee.
-Everyone has a laptop!
-You get the chance to collaborate with your peers.
-The seats are probably more comfortable.

The best part of coworking and maybe what makes the fact that I am currently sitting at Dana Street Roasting company instead of at Cubes&Crayons coworking ironic, is the people and the community.  When I walked in, my now neighbor smiled at me.  When I sat down my other neighbor, gave me a friendly nod.  Am I curious as to what they are working on, who they are, etc? Of course.  Will I be speaking with them?  Of course not.  That's mostly taboo in a coffee shop, at least until you have sen the same people over and over again. 

But in a co-working space, not only is it expected that you will talk to the other people working in the space but it is welcomed.  For most freelance workers, depending on the nature of their work, there exist three locations for work:

1. The Home Office: At home in the bathrobe and slippers with a comfortable sofa just calling for a nap whenever you need.  Working alone except for your online "friends" but essentially staring at a glowing screen.  Reminds me a bit of The Wretched Stone by Chris Van Allsburg.
2. The Cafe: Up and out, dressed and ready to go, sitting at a cafe.  Your favorite beverage and possibly tasty pastry sit next to the glowing screen.  Their are people and noise and atmosphere.  And you are working in the world if only side by side without any tangible interaction.
3. The coworking space:  everyone with their laptop in a cozy yet professional space.  You have people to talk to at the proverbial water cooler, potential collaborators or friends.  A conference space may be available to conduct professional meetings when meeting with clients, employees and/or investors.  You work side by side, but not alone.  You are part of something bigger and that feels good.

So, now I am truly missing being at Cubes&Crayons where I can talk to other people.  My neighbors at the cafe have changed, but I suspect I will still be sitting here alone in a crowded cafe working no matter who may sit next to me.  Next time, I'll get my cocoa at C&C. 

Comments

[Charles Redell]

I completely understand and agree. Just last week, I became isolated from my coworking space, Office Nomads in Seattle, due to a lot of snow (http://www.officenomads.com/2008/12/18/you-know-youre-part-of-a-community-when/). And god did I miss the office. Strange how when it's your office and your choice to be there, missing work becomes something you don't want to do.
Now that it's the holidays, I'm not going to be there for awhile. Sigh.