Cafe Owner Feels Frustrated After Student Uses WiFi For Hours With Small Order

A small food shop owner in Malaysia recently shared her frustration after dealing with customers who stayed for hours while ordering very little. The story was posted on Threads and quickly drew attention because it highlighted a common challenge faced by small business owners.

The woman explained that while she understood students may need a place to work, the situation had become difficult for her shop to manage.

Staying Five Hours With One Order

According to the owner, a student would wait for her food shop to open every day and arrive around 11am. He would then stay until about 4pm. During those five hours, the student repeatedly ordered the same item — a portion of fries priced at S$2.

She also shared that the student asked for plain water, which was provided for free. The student used the shop’s WiFi and charging ports throughout his stay while working on his laptop.

Using WiFi And Power For Long Periods

The owner explained that the student appeared to be doing part-time office work while sitting in the shop. During that time, he used electricity, air-conditioning, and internet services continuously.

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She questioned whether it was fair for a small food shop to cover these costs when the customer made only a minimal purchase.This routine happened repeatedly over several days.

A Polite Conversation Takes Place

Eventually, the woman said her husband decided to speak to the student politely. She explained that it was an uncomfortable moment, but it was necessary.

The conversation was calm, with no raised voices or scolding. After being spoken to, the student reportedly stopped coming to the shop. The owner said the situation was handled respectfully, even though it felt awkward at the time.

A Similar Situation Happens Again

Not long after, a similar incident occurred. Another student arrived with a friend and stayed for about four hours. During that time, they charged their laptops and phones several times.

They ordered only two drinks, costing S$3.50 in total. Once again, the owner’s husband gently reminded them about the situation. After the reminder, the pair were understanding and ordered food as well.

Balancing Understanding And Business Costs

The owner shared that she felt sympathy for students who may be struggling financially. However, she explained that her shop was a normal food business, not a cafe designed for long stays with free WiFi.

She noted that electricity, water, and air-conditioning all come with real costs. The situation shows how small businesses often have to balance kindness with the need to keep their operations running smoothly.