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“Ah Seng!” bellowed one of the uncles. He was dressed in a chequered shirt, short-sleeved, and black slack pants. A belt straps itself around the waist of this beer-bellied uncle. He was tanned, exposing his long working hours under the sun even until now.

I was sitting at a table, sharing it with a father and son, who were working nearby. I opened up my laptop to client’s emails and chats, requesting further amendments to the articles I was writing. The aroma of the Teh C permeated my nostrils as I sipped them slowly. It was boiling hot.

You see, I have been working in this Chinese coffee shop for the last 4 months. I will come here every morning, order a half-boiled egg and Teh C and get to work.

I have heard of the stories of my peers working at co-working spaces with air-con, comfy chairs, bean-bags, large open tables, power outlets, and fast wi-fi. But they cost a bomb. And they are not practical for anyone who is working on a freelance basis and trying to build their own company.

Let me talk about my working experience working from unexpected places, and why you should consider them too to save money and time.

You Get Several Things Done at a Minimal Cost

As a remote worker, there are several needs. I need to eat, drink, and work. Going to a co-working space actually only fulfills one – work. They normally have some food, but they are mostly snacks. You would have to get out of there to eat at nearby restaurants.

But a Chinese coffee shop is different. I can order food like wantan mee, chee cheong fun, noodles, nasi lemak, and others at affordable prices and work at the same time.

Did I say I love coffee shop drinks? There’s just something so different and nostalgic about them that I can’t have enough of them. And they cost so little compared to the RM15 lattes and coffees from cafes and co-working spaces.

And if I want a second drink, I can order an iced tea. They cost only RM0.60. Some cafes even charge you for water!

Everything, I mean everything in coffee shops cost less than everywhere else. Well, unless you literally work from home. Then, instant coffee is cheaper. But you get my point.

The Atmosphere is Cheerful and Lively

I am going to be honest here. I prefer working spaces which are cheerful and lively. I know. Most want quiet working spaces. The vibe needs to be chill like my Gen-Z colleagues say.

But there’s just something invigorating about the sounds of people chatting away and sipping their coffees. It feels like I am part of everyone’s lives there.

The constant banging of woks and orders reverberating through the air from one side of the shop to another. The uncles puff their cigarettes, looking deep in philosophical thoughts but in reality, they are probably thinking about nothing.

The aunties constantly gossip about everyone and pull out their phones to show each other messages, tiktoks, and pictures of their grandchildren. I have to admit, it’s very interesting to eavesdrop on their stories.

Most Importantly, It feels Like a Community

You know what I don’t like about these new co-working spaces and cafes? They are terribly lonely and devoid of any social connections. Yes, sometimes I will chat with the person beside me to ask what they are doing.

But most of them are there to work. And they are always busy. It feels awkward to be in a business setting interacting. It almost feels like networking with a purpose.

Chinese coffee shops are different. The kakaks there remember all my orders. And I don’t even have to order. My drinks will come automatically. And then, sometimes I will forget to pay. And Ah Seng will just say I can pay another day, no worries.

When I order pork noodles, the aunty will always smile at me. When the food comes, she will ask what am I doing today, where my mum and dad are, and she will go on about her grandchildren.

And sometimes, the uncle across the table will get curious and ask what I do for a living. He will listen and go on and on about how the working world today is so different, how he suffered so much when he was working, and other uncle topics he can think about.

It feels like a community here. There is no air-con, but I prefer the warmth here compared to the cold in offices.

Conclusion

If you are working remotely, consider working in a coffee shop. It’s better for your wallet, and you don’t have to stress about parking.

And you get to interact more with people, and there is a community there for you. Have fun!