So where should we sign?
X restaurant in the bar area it’s quiet.
For the love of Gawd.
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Is that you saying that or the signers saying that?
They suggested a place that is closed on Mondays so I said how about the Starbucks - GASP.
Oh not Starbucks!!
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Then it was a Mexican restaurant and they wanted to eat chips and salsa, and drink beer from tall glasses and I spent the entire appointment just praying no salsa would get slopped onto paper and she wouldn’t knock over the damn beer.
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That’s why I almost always refuse if they offer me anything to drink during the signing. It just gets in my way among the clutter and can easily be knocked over. There’s nothing I can do if they drink anything during the signing, but I can control what I do.
Same with me. I was glad to get out of there with paperwork intact.
When my signers want to eat and drink (alcohol) during the signing, I just patiently wait for them to consume and come to order. Usually takes about 30 seconds and they realize I’m not going to compete with hot food and booze. They say “Oh", is this a problem?”, then they wipe their mouths and hands and get on with it. I remain patient, polite until they’re ready to go. I’ve not had a problem with this approach and my five star ratings have remained intact. I just act like a professional.
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That sounds like something I would encounter. 
Guess crazy stuff does happen to other notaries.
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We have to be flexible.
Many times I signed at someone’s house and wish we were at a restaurant or Starbucks. Smells, trash, dirty, clutter, standing up….If I had a preference, it would be a burger fast food place like McDonald’s or BK because location, always have large tables and they don’t care. They have great lighting, no server’s table we are taking up, and the drinks have lids.
Starbucks is least because the tables are small, always crowded and loud, and I am one of few who don’t like the smell of coffee.
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Rarely Starbucks. Would we be able to meet at a quieter location; my hearing doesn’t do good in their loud environment. I’ve never had anyone refuse to let me help them by doing a good job for them.
Some Starbucks locations are better than others. Generally speaking, I don’t mind going to one for a signing, but it can be difficult on a windy or rainy day if you have to sit outside.
Starbux tend to be homeless magnets here on the Left coast. When I hear that I try to steer the signers to my office. But to those that insist, this is southern california where every establishment has an outside patio that’s perfect for shuffling paperwork.
Outside patios aren’t so perfect for shuffling paperwork when it’s windy. I have had to use staplers and/or other paperweights to keep the papers from flying around during outdoors signings. I remember distinctly chasing papers all over someone’s back yard. Not fun! This was common practice during the Covid era.
Wind is not an issue if I control the venue. However, agreeing with the signers led to a similar issue during COVID, with docs ending up in their pool. I carry a clipboard for GNW work because you only have one chance to render a perfect seal.