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Can we rant about coworking spaces?

I like the coworking office concept and I love this desk I have for myself, I like this building, the supervisor is sweet and I made new clients here...

But I hate one of my "neighbours".

We have several office rules and he constantly breaks them.

No music allowed without headphones. Nope, gotta listen to shitty radio straight from the smartphone speaker.

No loud conferences or phone talks. Nah, let's set the volume to the max. And leave the phone behind and let it ring loudly forever.

You can only occupy one desk unless you rent more. In comes his coworker who keeps occupying an extra desk for free and who's as loud as he is. And bring the kids because hey, growing up bored inside a office is good for them.

And today's newest: no eating in the office. Coworker brought her kid who set up a -dinning table- on the extra desk and began eating her lunch leftovers. It wouldn't have been so bad and I wouldn't have noticed except the office was overflowed with the stench of overheated pasta.

This is a big office. I had to open the windows. I can still feel the smell. It's nauseating.

I didn't say anything because it's not the kid's fault they didn't take her to the building's canteen space. But at the risk of making enemies where I shouldn't, I need to have a "fun" talk with someone.

Comments
  • 3
    At least you could open windows, and it wasn't bad fish. 😵
  • 1
    Why don't you tell about this to supervisor?
  • 2
    @SystemZ the supervisor is aware of the situation. She even caught his coworker using the extra desk a couple of times and that's how I learned they were using it for free.

    The last thing I want is to create a bad environment by accusing to the supervisor or have to repeatedly tell him to stop with the music. I have been making an effort to tolerate because hey, sometimes I have to host skype convos with clients and I may be talking too loud without knowing.

    But this latest stunt with letting the kid set up a table complete with ceramic plate, fork and knife and let her eat pasta with a strong greasy smell in the middle of the office when they could have taken her to the canteen, it may have crossed the line.
  • 0
    @Raghnaid honestly, you 'should' really tell to that coworker that her behaviour is - not - ok. Rules are there to make an environment pleasant for everyone, everyone should pay the fair price, and coworking spaces are not daycare centers for your children. Be more assertive, that's not wrong.

    Have a ++ to add to your assertive courage stat. ;)
  • 1
    @NeatNerdPrime At this date is been taken care of. Others tell me it isn't good to make enemies like this, especially when they can become potential clients, etc etc.

    But yeah. I pay for my space and I have to follow the rules just like everyone else. A cowork space means you get your corner and you don't disturb the other corners unless it's related to work projects. The guy and his coworker have been treating the space like everything is theirs and must think because I'm always quiet in my corner they can do whatever they want.

    Fortunately I also learned they aren't going to be around for much longer. So here's to better neighbours.
  • 0
    @Raghnaid in what universe do you have to pay for your workspace? Just curious.
  • 2
    @iAmNaN one where I'm a freelancer and instead of renting an office, I rented a desk in a coworking space shared by other freelancers and small companies. Great for networking, not so great when one guy takes advantage of the space due to only having few individuals working there at the moment.
  • 0
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