Travel with Charger or get Charged for Charging?

Newsflash!! Electricity is not free.

It is common to see people in coffee shops and bookstores with laptops and cellphones plugged into the electrical outlet of the business. Who is doing the math to determine that a grande coffee at $2.18 is equal to powering a laptop for up to 6 hours and desk space?  If the store manager does not mind, then I don't care either. But, I thought about it some more when I met a friend at a semi-upscale restaurant. We were seated and she promptly hands her phone and charger to the waiter to plug it into an outlet.  On this occasion he declined, but she and I get together often and this was not the first time I witnessed this request. She has a 98% rate of success. She is beautiful. That helps. Alot.

Many of us commute with either a cellphone, Bluetooth, Kindle, Nook, Laptop, iPod, iPad, or all of the above.   Are we entitled to have businesses extend the courtesy of charging our devices? Irish Exit on 2nd Ave in New York has a wall mounted charging station. One of the coolest things I have ever seen. It has connectors for every, or almost every cellphone model that charges your device for free.

But where do we draw the line?  Can I walk into Starbucks with a Power Strip to charge all of my devices?

Why stop there? Charge other patrons a small fee for the convenience of using your power strip versus battling for the only wall outlet....I am kidding.

We patronize businesses to receive good products and services. Evidently the modern woman expects electricity as well.

If you are in a pinch and your cellphone is dying, it is okay to politely ask versus demand a quick charge as long as you are buying something. Don't hand over any other devices to waiters and bartenders. They should not be held liable for damages. It is your responsibility to ensure that your equipment is fully charged before you go out. You are a fool to wait until you are in a public place to do something so important that it can't wait until you get home or to the office.

You qualify for the 'Uncouth Hall of Fame' if you whip out an extension cord or power strip.