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Pieter Levels (@levelsio) tweeted on 2026-08-03 that “Modern Europe bans working…

2026-08-03 · 14:38 UTC ·@levelsio ·0 min read

Brief

Pieter Levels argues that contemporary European cafés have become hostile to remote work—posting on 2026-08-03 that modern Europe effectively bans working from cafés despite Europe’s historical role in café culture. He contrasts this with U.S. cafés, which he says usually permit laptops, and cites a Paris anecdote from Anthony Riera where cafés turned him away on a Sunday even when empty.

Why it matters

Pieter Levels (@levelsio) tweeted on 2026-08-03 that “Modern Europe bans working from cafes,” arguing Europe now restricts laptop use in cafes even though “Old Europe invented it.”

Key details

  • Anthony Riera (@anthonyriera) reports an anecdote from Paris: on a Sunday every café told him to leave for having a laptop, refusing service despite having no customers (nitter status 2083918599786242458).
Source evidence

Modern Europe bans working from cafes, but Old Europe invented it!

levels.io/working-from-cafes

Link

Modern Europe bans working from cafes, but Old Europe invented it — @levelsio (Pieter Levels)

The difference between European and American cafes is so stark In Europe many don't allow laptops anymore In America they usually do and people are working on …
levels.io

Anthony Riera (@anthonyriera)

In Paris on a Sunday EVERY CAFE YOU GO tell you to go away if you've a laptop.

They don't want people to work at their place on a Sunday.

They have no customers and refuse me anyway.

😭

— https://nitter.net/anthonyriera/status/2083918599786242458#m