I’ve been called many things in my time, but never a thief.
That’s what Anna May Mangan, the author of THAT Daily Mail article, called me when we came face to face for the first time. On live TV.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Daily Mail article to which I’m referring Anna recently took it upon herself to name and shame certain mummy bloggers for daring to document the trials and tribulations of motherhood in a withering attack on mums like me, and the story went viral.
Here’s a link to the feature if you missed it – I don’t mind linking to it because it only serves to raise the profile – and click throughs – of the bloggers in question. Anyway, I digress.
Now the mummy blogger basher reckons I’m a thief for escaping to coffee shops a couple of days a week in a bid to make working from home with kids work and having the audacity to plug in and connect to their (free) wifi.
And she told me so on live breakfast TV in front of more than one million viewers.
The day the author of THAT Daily Mail article called me a thief
I was asked to appear on ITV’s Good Morning Britain to debate the issue of so-called βcafΓ© campersβ and explain why Iβm proud to be one alongside Anna who says home workers like me are βthievesβ for βloitering without intent to spend enough moneyβ and βmonopolising the best seatsβ in coffee shops.
I wonβt go into why I support those who choose to work from coffee shops β or find itβs the only way to make things work when juggling parenthood β as I explained all that in my last post.
The point is I had a chance to ask Anna about THAT Daily Mail articleβ¦but I didnβt.
As a tabloid journalist myself I know that the article as it appeared isnβt necessarily what she filed: it will have been through several editors who may have βtweakedβ it, and she wouldnβt have been responsible for the headline, sensationalist bullet points or the pulled quotes either.
On more than one occasion Iβve looked at the end result of a story Iβve written and thought βdid I write that?β because while not technically wrong itβs been edited to within an inch of its life to the point I barely recognise it.
Even so, in the case of this article, I donβt think the writerβs original intention was lost β Anna made her feelings plainly clear. So why didnβt I confront her about it?
In my defence live TV is all a bit of a blur: youβre taken to the studio just before youβre due to go on air, youβre whisked into hair and make-up and in the case of debate-style features youβre generally kept away from whoever it is youβre going on air with so your best argument is saved for telly.
Then by the time you come off air your car is waiting to pick you up and that’s that. So what Iβm basically saying is that I didnβt get the chance. But in hindsight I wished I had.
On the up side, despite being called a thief on national TV, Eamonn Holmes sided with me (I told you he was super nice!) and reckons with three kids at home Iβm quite right to make coffee shops my pop up office.
Unfortunately the debate isnβt on the ITV hub, otherwise I would share it here, so all Iβve got is this (rather dodgy) recording by Misery Guts with the kids in the background, last night’s nappy hanging between Little B’s legs, demanding Thomas the Tank Engine instead. Which, despite what Anna says in her infamous article, is the reality of motherhood.
Did you read THAT Daily Mail article? Would you confront Anna about it if you had the chance? Do you think Iβm a coffee shop thief? Iβd love to hear your thoughts!
Linking up with these fabulous blogs!
It’s so ridiculous to criticise people who work in coffee shops! Coffee shops designed THEMSELVES to be worked in. That’s why they provide wifi and outlets! That’s why that have nice comfy spaces with lovely lighting! Good for you sharing the real stuff of motherhood. She obviously doesn’t understand that we need people to show the hard parts so we don’t feel alone, and that a bit of jokey hyperbole about how bad it is, is just a bit of fun. #familyfunlinky
There’s a quiet culture of knocking the little guy. 99% of bloggers are the little guy; very few make it rich. But people are jealous of bloggers perceived riches, cushy lifestyle and over-sharing. It’s a stupid accusation at you. It’s just an excuse to bully you by someone who is jealous of you breaking early ground in a new industry.
I’m are the coffee shops like that they get regular custom from people working there… And let’s face it most of them don’t sell cheap coffees! if they wanted rid of you they could just turn off the wifi! Saying its thieving is rediculous *shakes head in disbelief* X
I can’t believe that she actually called you a thief. I agree totally with you. These places have been set up to attract computer users. #FamilyFun
Wow, how rude! I can’t believe you’re actually having to justify doing things like… being in coffee shops!
Well she was there to debate with you wasn’t she? I don’t agree with her but that was what the TV company wanted for their live segment. Coffee shops encourage people to come into their space and consume coffee and cake etc….they have free Wifi so why not use it? She was wrong to suggest otherwise but to call you a thief was a bit harsh!. #familyfun
I remember that article, it was a really vile attack on mums and total click bait. Mail for what they wanted. I think you’re right to question whether it was actually what the journalist filed (I’m a tabloid journo too and know all too well what it’s like!). I really fail to see the issue with using coffee shops as your pop up office and I think it’s actually sad anyone would use this as an argument against mums who work from home. You’re trying to make an honest living that works for you, and you’re called a thief. I’m actually glad I missed it on tv as I would have thrown something at the telly! Xx#triumphanttales
Wow, firstly, you were amazing! So level headed and came across so well in what must have been such a nerve wracking experience and exchange.
Secondly, I totally agree with your point. If you weren’t in the coffee shop spending money then you’d be at home not spending money. I’m pretty sure I know which option the coffee shop would prefer. They will have factored internet and electric charging point usage in to their business plan from the word go so they wouldn’t offer it is it isn’t profitable to them. Plus, the markup they make on a cup if coffee is ridiculous so it’s just a win for everyone.
Whoops, forgot to say I’m visiting from #twinklytuesday
Wow I think you came across really well, I would be a jittering mess on live TV. xx #twinklytuesday
Loads of people work in coffee shops, if the shops didn’t want you to they would ask you to leave or like others have said, restrict use of outlets and wifi. You look fab by the way, a natural on tv! #twinklytuesday
What a mental thing to say, is she trying to get fame as a Katy Hopkins sort? Urgh, people make me so angry!
#FamilyFun
Sometimes you have to pick your battles. It may have made you feel better but wouldn’t have achieved anything. However regretting not saying something is annoying. #humpdaylinky
I don’t get it. It’s like putting a microscope on something that’s not worth putting a microscope on. I wouldn’t waste anymore energy on it, there are for more important and interesting thing, than if somebody does some work in a coffee shop. Breaking News: Some people only go in to use the loo #FamilyFunLinky
far and things
If coffee shops cared then they would put policies in olace such as minimum spend or max time at tables! They actually set themselves up for people to use them in hi way. Good on you for making your situation work for you. You are working and raising a family so he mummy bashing needs to stop! Great post #coolmumclub
How can you possibly steal something that is being given away for free. Coffee shops market themselves to attract people who want to work away from home. If THEY had a problem with it they would simply ask you to buy more or move on.
#coolmumsclub
You handled yourself so well in this debate. I actually didn’t realise she was the same person who wrote that article and I don’t know if I could have held back had I known! The coffee shop thing – there is a reason they have dedicated tables and wifi – so those of us who want to use them, do! xx #coolmumclub
Oh my goodness where does that woman get off! I think well done you for going face to face with her and I think you handled it brilliant live on TV well done!
Everyone needs space and if your not clogging up the last space in a cafe then I say why not. Crazy woman! What a non story, life’s too short
βͺThank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinkyβ¬
Does she have kids?? Definitely one to ignore, ignore, ignore.
One of the main functions of coffee shops is for people to work when they can’t somewhere else. As long as you’re buying some coffee and being considerate to other customers I don’t see the problem.
As for confronting her, I like to think I would have, but in reality I probably wouldn’t have the guts and then be kicking myself afterwards.
Good on you for managing to get anything done with three kids – I struggle with one! Carry on as you are and ignore ignorant people like this.
#CoolMumClub
You were fabulous – so elegant, calm and poised! Stealing is a completely different concept to her argument (unless you try to run out of the coffee shop with their free Wifi tucked under your arm), it makes no sense! I feel like everything I read now seems to be some sort of mum-attack; whether it be mummy bloggers or those who do/don’t Pinterest parent. 1) No-one can win 2) Who cares how other people do it!? #coolmumclub
Are you telling me that she has never had a work meeting in a coffee shop? Like hell she hasn’t and it is absolutely no different to you working in one. Whenever we had our work appraisals, my old boss would always take us for a coffee. Which is no different to me sitting in a laptop working in one! The Wi-Fi is there to be used and as long as you purchase a drink then surely that’s fine (I would always end up with lunch too no doubt!). Silly mare! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
I just can’t stand this woman. I have no words that don’t create a rant so I’m just going to leave it there! High five for staying collected and calm. #coolmumclub
Wow! I completely missed this how ridiculous!!! Surely there are bigger issues in the world!? #humpdaylinky
I spend hours in coffee shops using their wifi. I don’t blame you for not confronting her. I would have been so shocked and outraged that I would probably have stood there mute. Pen x #KCACOLS
They provide free wifi to be used by the patrons, I assume you bought coffee there and didn’t just log in from the bench outside?! You should head in an breastfeed, that would problem give her something else to shout about too.
Thanks so much for linking up at #kcacols. Hope you come back again next time.
To accuse anyone of being s thief for sitting in a coffee shop is utterly ridiculous. What about rhose business types sat on their laptop all morning falling asleep over their second coffee?? Everybody does it! The article really is overly bashing, if she doesn’t agree with it then that’s fine but to criticise somebody’s parenting to that degree is just horrible. Some points I agree with and some points I don’t but I, as well as most people, can see the humour in the pulled quotes and realise that a ‘slummy mummy’ is just a parent getting by the best they can like everyone else and we all have off days! #KCACOLS
I see so many people working in coffee shops and I’m JEALOUS! I wish I had the confidence and guts to do it myself and also it’d give me 2 mins to myself, whether i am there for an hour or so. I will probably be buying myself 2-3 cup of tea and a cake on the side, so aslong as someone pays for a cuppa or a snack, I see no problem in someone working! #KCACOLS
What a turd! She needs to get a grip. It’s not like you’re sat there taking up a table and not buying anything. Never mind confront her, I would have slapped her…but that could be my raging pregnancy hormones! #KCACOLS
Coffee shops expect this kind of thing. Also, the markup on tea and coffee is crazy, so one cup of coffee is definitely paying for what is a relatively cheap wi-fi service. Say wi-fi is thirty quid a month. That’s a pound a day. Your one cup of coffee is about three quid. You’ve paid for three days worth of wi-fi. That’s not stealing from the coffee shop. That’s the other way around. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
I believe some amazingly popular works of literature have been created in coffee shops! Besides, using their free Wi-Fi does not stop anyone else from using it too. #KCACOLS
It seems to me that if the shops didn’t want people in there hanging around they wouldn’t offer the free wi-fi. People will do and say anything for atttention. Congrats on getting on TV though, very cool! #KCACOLS
As long as you are a customer what’s the issue, a lot of people have a new in their bonnet about bloggers. Some seem to think we are just sent free stuff it’s not free at all, blogging is work (although enjoyable) and simply a rising form of marketing. Well done on the telly. x #kcacols