I met with a group of nerdy(bookish not loud) college students over the summer to review a team project. At 10 am, the place had no other customers. Of the 7 of us, 5 bought items. I bought three items which included food and a drink.
As soon as we all sat in a side area, the staff member delivering our food explained that everyone must purchase or we all needed to leave. I was so embarrassed for the students who may not have expected the cost, since I was the one who had suggested we meet at the coffee shop.
After the staff member left, I went to the counter. I explained why we were meeting and that I could not order for the two people who had not ordered because I did not know their preference (I did not want to embarrass them by asking) but I had purchased three items that I was sharing with the group and some of the other students had purchased two items. I asked if we could stay for at least half an hour . (We had just started outlining our who would be doing which part of the assignment.)
I thought that she would see the logic and our situation. Instead, she explained that the owners could not afford to have people using the bathroom if they were not paying customers (the bathroom is not a locked, ask- for- the-key place--to their credit). I was told to make our meeting quick because two people had not purchased items.
We had planned on staying for an hour, but because we felt rushed, we left with the project half-outlined. None of us used the bathroom. I have not been back since.