A debate about the unwritten rules of café etiquette has surfaced after an incident in Napier.

Reporter Mark Story was asked to leave Napier café Smiths, after being told he hadn't spent enough to stay longer than an hour.

Kiwi restaurateur Martin Bosley says different establishments are likely to have different house rules.

"I think it's common sense... if the place is empty, if there's no one around, you're not casing any problems, it'd be absolutely fine. Cafés want people in them." 

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