sitting in costa coffee

It's like this in Waggamama.
I found it a bit odd when two strangers plonked themselves down next to me.

I think you were totally reasonable as there were two unused seats. To those who say find a seat first - this isn't possible if you have young children or are on your own. I like the actions of the person who complained as there was no seat and the staff found one and I think I will do that in future.

I go out to coffee shops with my DS a lot (not Costa because their cakes are awful 🥺, try Cafe Nero) and i think id be annoyed if someone just sat themselves down. If they asked, it may be different. Also, i find that a table becomes available in those kind of coffee shops every 2/3 mins so it shouldn't be a regular issue x hope this helps x

The Police!! How did I miss that one?? People on here are batshit crazy sometimes all the time.

Whenever I read threads like this I always think that most of what people are saying is a load of bullshit. I’ll always look for a spare table but am definitely in the camp that it’s fine to share if required. In Disney World last year, we shared a couple of times and are now FB friends with a family from Washington who we met in Epcot 🤷‍♀️

I would bet that most of the people grandly saying that they’d say ‘no’ to people wouldn’t in real life. You might be miffed but I bet you’d still let them.

It doesn’t take a lot to be nice and remember the following:

• No-one is listening into your conversation. I’m far more interested in my life than yours 🤷‍♀️
• If they do try to engage with you more than you’d like, it’s OK to just say you’d like some quiet time.

Me three.

Reform voter goes to Costa

I wonder if there was something in your tone that disinclined the customer from sharing with you. Your description of 'a... table where some woman was sat' sounds pretty dismissive of her. Most people would describe a stranger in this situation as a lady or another customer. Yes it's only words but words matter and they are revealing.

I was on my own in Costa. I couldn't save a seat and queue. I sat on a big table for about 8 people on my own as there were no other seats. Lots of other people joined me on the table. It's not rude to do this at all. I would not expect anyone to stand just so I could have a table to myself. I expect this to happen. If there were lots of other seats available and someone came and sat by me I would find that uncomfortable.

There is a scale.

Utilitarian place like a lunch canteen at the busiest time? Share.
Leisurely place like ice cream shop? Nope.

And, as every system it has exceptions. Ice cream shop in heavy rain? Share.

Sandwich in Costa is somewhere in the middle. Ok to ask, but accept no as an answer.

At my favourite restaurant in Brussels there’s usually a queue. It moves fast as you get in and are placed at tables with others, depending on how many you are. You don’t need to strike up a conversation with the others. The place is busy and cheerful. It’s the same in the UK in museum cafes, or maybe I’m thick skinned and don’t notice or hear the disapproval.

Excuse me - how am I "entitled" precisely?

All I have done is correct your assertion that Costas aren't private spaces?

You don't need to worry about me anyway - I wouldn't darken the door of a Costa so I am most unlikely to encounter you lol!

They wouldn't have any customers if they didn't allow the public in!

I wasn't suggesting that you shouldn't go out at all. I was wondering if it puts you in such a bad place why you do it, you've now answered that.

Still it's nice to know you feel free to try and insult me and suggest I am the problem. Truely that came from your mind not mine you chose to read things that were never there nor even inferred.

Because I am allowed to go out and enjoy the space too.
You are implying that I should stay at home so I don't get triggered. No.
I spent YEARS at home because of people thinking like you. Never again.

Pretty much everywhere in the UK is owned by someone or some organisation all whom have rules.

Which begs the question why are you putting yourself in a position where you might be upset by someone else who has also paid to attend the space?

I have a card that I put on the table that says I need space.
BTW, my local Costa knows me, and has done for years. The have been fab with my issues, and will prob tell entitled folk like you bugger off if there was a conflict.

They’re private businesses that allow the public in based on their rules (e.g.paying for your meal and obeying the rules).

OMG listen to yourself! Who do you think uses them? They are privately owned businesses but frequented by the public!!

Do you think you have to have a membership? Be vetted? Join a club?

(bangs head off brick wall)

No, they are private businesses. They are not public spaces at all. They do not owe anyone a seat.
The empty seat opposite me is not a public space. I have said on this thread that I am ND have MH issues... so if I am sat alone and needing my space, I NEED my space. Don't be a cock and insist in sitting with me.

CAFES BY THEIR VERY NATURE ARE PUBLIC SPACES!!!

How in the name of all that's holy would any food establishment operate without the support of members of the public??

FFS!! I despair!!

And whether you like it or not, a vacant seat is fair game. No one customer is any more entitled than another!

Costa is not a private place or public.
It is a cafe. You go there and buy a drink. No seat? Poor you.

That does not mean it's not a public place though!!

And I guess people also have to abide by what the airline staff, the train conductors, the bus drivers tell them to do too.

That's not how you distinguish what is and what is not a public space. A public place is anywhere that is open to the public!