Work and Play Well with Others: A Co-Working Etiquette Guide

Co-working spaces are like the modern equivalent of a bustling coffee shop, minus the caffeine jitters and frantic WiFi searching. These shared workspaces offer a great place to get your hustle on, but like any community, they thrive on one magical ingredient: respect. Let's dive into how you can spread good vibes in your co-working kingdom with a little humour and a lot of wisdom.

1. Respect Personal Space

Picture your personal space as your office fortress. It might not have a moat, but it's yours, dammit! Here's how to be a personal space knight:

• Leave a buffer zone: When taking a seat, think of it like picking a spot on a bus. Don't sit right on top of someone, especially if there's a bit of space available.

• BYO: Your neighbour's desk is not the local stationery shop (or Waltons, for all the Saffas out there😉).  . Make sure you have all your own pens, notebooks, and charging cables, and never use their things unless you've been given permission to.

• Read the room: Even though common areas are often more chilled than desk or meeting areas, that doesn’t mean that everybody who’s in the lounge is looking to mingle. Some may be trying to unwind after a stressful meeting or trying to get some deep focus work done. Always consider other people’s boundaries before trying to strike up a conversation. 

2. Lower the Volume

Excessive noise in a co-working space can be as jarring as a bullhorn in a library. Keep the peace with these sound etiquette tips:

• Invest in magical noise-cancelling headphones: If you're into head-bobbing to your tunes or watching cat videos, make it a party for one by keeping your noise contained to your headphones. Plus, noise-cancelling means you drown out other people’s sounds, too!

• Whisper, don't holler: If you need to talk, aim for indoor voices. If your convo requires a loudspeaker, find a designated noise-friendly zone or book a boardroom.

• Seek out silence sanctuaries: Co-working spaces often have quiet zones. If you require library-level hush, those are for you.

3. Don't Be Nosey

Nobody likes a nosey neighbour, especially when your neighbour is just a few feet away. Be a cool co-worker by respecting privacy:

• Don't mess with other people's stuff: It's like a universal law – no touching! Keep your fingers off other people's belongings.

• Ditch the gossip: You’re there to work, after all. Skip the drama of office gossip and make the most of the opportunity to genuinely network and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs instead. 

• Ears on your own business: Resist the urge to eavesdrop, or worse, offer unsolicited advice to the person next to you.

4. Keep It Clean

A tidy workspace is a happy workspace, especially when it's not your mama's house. Channel your inner neat freak with these tips:

• Be a cleanup hero: There's no janitor waiting to pick up after you. Toss your trash, rinse your dishes, and leave shared spaces sparkling.

• Ditch the clutter: Keep your workspace looking snazzy and productive by avoiding a clutter overload.

• Keep bathrooms clean: This one goes without saying, but make sure the restrooms are left exactly as you found them.

5. Share Nicely

Sharing is caring, and co-working spaces are like a big playground for grown-ups. Here's how to play nicely:

• Be the Robin Hood of shared resources: Whether it's the meeting room, the printer, or the coveted coffee machine, share the wealth and be fair.

• Respect booking schedules: If you've reserved a meeting room, stick to your time slot. Nobody likes a meeting room bandit.

• Communicate with kindness: If you need an extended stint in a shared space, have a chat with your co-workers and make sure you're not raining on their parade.

6. Be Lekker, Share the Good

We have a saying in South Africa: “be lekker”. Which basically translates to “be nice” (or in our case, be GOOD) to those around you. Here’s how to be the coolest co-worker ever:

• Collaborate: The intention of a co-working space is collaboration, so use this to your advantage. Use the opportunity to mingle and brainstorm with fellow co-workers.

• RSVP yes to events: If you don’t partake in networking events when they come up on the community calendar, you’re simply missing out. Take a look at what’s up next, and make an effort to join and network with (and learn from) the best of the best.

• Be helpful: Be a good co-working neighbour by offering your assistance to other hot deskers when asked. And even if they don’t ask but still look lost or unsure, reach out to them and see if they need some help.

Wrapping it up

Co-working spaces are a blend of professional productivity and community vibes. Spread the love by respecting personal space, lowering the volume, keeping your curiosity in check, maintaining cleanliness, and sharing resources like a pro. Remember, being a considerate co-worker not only makes you a hit in the office but also keeps the co-working karma in your favour!