Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
Country Club.
Bar.
Cafe.
Diner.
Starbucks.
Panera.
These are hangout places where people sit and chat while others work.
Some are places where people talk with just one another. Others are places where people talk with staff, just like in the scenario the OP mentions.
Bar, Country Club, Diner- all places where people hang out and talk with the staff while the staff works(cleaning, picking up, doing paperwork, etc). Yes they are usually patrons, but a couple of old guys drinking coffee at a diner and chatting with the waitress while they hang out is hardly buying much. Country Clubs are filled with members who happen to be hanging out since its a social place and talking with staff while not specifically buying anything at that time.
etc
etc
You are splitting hairs now. All of those places have tables and chairs for paying customers to use while enjoying the *food/drink* they just paid for. The expectation is that they will stay for a while And paying customers generally are not chatting up the help. But you knew what he meant.