How long is too long to sit in a cafe? At a new 24-hour spot in London called Corgi Cafe, the answer seems to be: as long as you like. Run by Corgi, an insurance startup that uses artificial intelligence, the cafe is designed for people who want to work long hours, and laptops are not only allowed but encouraged. As more people work remotely, coffee shops have become common workspaces, but the question of how long someone should stay—and what they should spend—has sparked debate. This issue recently came to light when a tourist from South Korea posted on Reddit about spending three hours in a UK cafe and only ordering one drink. They asked if this was acceptable in the UK, where such behavior is normal in their home country. The response was mixed. Some said it's okay to stay if the cafe isn't busy, but others argued that people should buy more food and drinks if they're staying for a long time. Sean Kyne, owner of Alde Cafe in Suffolk, says he finds it frustrating when people occupy tables for hours without spending much. "We're a cafe, not a meeting place," he says. "We need to turn tables regularly to serve more customers." He believes staying for an hour or more with just a drink is taking advantage of the space. Meanwhile, Marianne Brammer, who runs HJEM in Kensington, says she's noticed the trend of people using cafes as offices more frequently. To discourage it, she decided not to offer free WiFi, though some still bring their laptops. She acknowledges that this can lead to negative reviews, but insists on sticking to her policy to protect her business. Not all cafe owners are against long stays. Burak Demirelli of Fred Bakery in London says it's fine for customers to stay for over an hour, especially if they've ordered a drink or food. He doesn't enforce strict spending rules but encourages customers to be considerate and support the business. Across the Atlantic, Chris Retallick of Boxwood Coffee Roasters in New Jersey says staying for hours with only one drink is not acceptable, especially during busy times. To manage this, they limit WiFi access to four hours per customer on weekdays, ensuring the space remains accessible for everyone.