When I started in the workforce, that meant, without any leeway that I was in the office, at my desk or in a meeting room. If I'd heard that you'd had a meeting in a cafe it either meant you were super senior, or you were up to no good, having a conversation that you couldn't trust people to overhear in the office.
And the uniform for men was two-piece suit, white shirt, sober tie and black shoes. For years, even when it was hot, we weren't allowed to take our jacket off at our desk without permission from our manager. Further permission would be required for the daring step of rolling up your shirt sleeves. There was no need for conversation. Mind you we were also allowed to smoke at our desks.
These guys are working. Chatting over problems over laughs, In a coffee shop, wearing "business casual"
And so am I