A woman has described feeling utterly mortified after a complete stranger threw a handwritten note at her table in a west London café, criticising the volume of her conversation.
The Unwelcome Café Interruption
The incident occurred while the woman was catching up with a friend. Approximately 40 minutes into their chat, a person sitting a few tables away got up to leave and lobbed a folded piece of paper onto their table on the way out. Puzzled, the woman opened it to find a detailed complaint about her behaviour.
The note read: "Hi. I don't know if you are aware; your voice, volume of, has been overwhelming to us. We have been unable to have a conversation as we cannot hear each other. However, we have heard every word of your conversation - we now know the names of your cats. This is a space for more than yourself and unfortunately we have had to leave. Something to think about."
Online Debate and Personal Reflection
The woman's husband shared the story online, revealing his wife was left flabbergasted by the passive-aggressive act. He noted the café owner also seemed confused by the situation. While he confirmed the note-writer was "not American or Liverpool", he questioned if this was the best way to handle a noise grievance without direct confrontation.
His wife admitted the note left her deeply embarrassed, so much so that her reaction drew the attention of the café staff. She reflected: "I will definitely consider my volume in the future... I do suspect ADHD as I tend to speak louder when excited. That's probably why they now know my cats' names." She added she held no ill will towards the people who left the note.
Divided Public Opinion
The story sparked a fierce debate on social media about public etiquette and the correct way to address such issues. Many commenters sided with the note-writer, suggesting the very act of writing a note indicated the problem was severe.
One user argued: "Considering they went to the trouble of writing a note and dropping it, unless they're massive trolls, chances are your wife really was loud." Another stated: "This was probably the nicest way they could have handled it. I bet your wife wouldn't have appreciated being told to shut up in person."
Others, however, felt the method was overly awkward and confrontational in its own way, criticising the decision to "chuck" a note rather than make a polite verbal request. The incident, shared on what was dubbed Blue Monday, highlights the unspoken tensions and challenges of sharing public spaces in a bustling city like London.
