Good observations Ellen,

Ive operated restaurants for over twenty years and 'campers' have been a problem forever, not just since laptops.

There were the small group of friends grabbing one or two tables and hanging on to them for hours effectively taking them out of your inventory. The moment you cease to have sitting space you also are no longer selling and making a profit. How about the lone salesperson who has their business card with your coffee shop as their place of work. Oh yes. Many times. Coffee doesn't count because of the 'free refill' thing. Employees count on available sitting space for their livelihood! Say that to yourself several times so it sinks in. Not being silly here. It's for real. The server makes tips when customers order hamburgers, all day.

If the owner isnt the one running the 'floor', may not even be in the building this means that an employee is 'watching' the floor. That's where the problem lays. Yep. You can't pay a manager of a mid-sized, semi busy coffee shop enough to get him or her to kick out 'campers'. Why? It's not worth the hassle! Even the danger! Pure and simple.

So, until more coffee shop users are like you when you see the place is filling up you get up the problem will continue. I also stand up and give the table to the next person. Oh, for what it's worth. I've actually seen people Ive given up my table sit and open their laptops. It's just life.

Maybe one by one we can add this considerateness into the culture...