sitting in costa coffee

When I’m in a cafe, not a restaurant where I have a table allocated to me, I expect others to sit in the empty seats at my table. I’ve not seen people standing around whilst If I sit by myself at a table for four or eight. It’s normal to sit in one chair and for others to then sit in the free chairs around one table. What about those long high tables with chairs or sitting at a bar - do people here expect to be by themselves? I don’t. It’s usual to have others sit in the empty chairs.

Not really. If you're single you're allowed to go out as well. You don't have to have a family to enjoy small pleasures.

If you're a group and you go into an eatery that's already full, your desire for food doesn't override the comfort of the single person.

You just go out and either eat in your car or find somewhere else.

@OPsSockpuppet

It’s certainly not normal to share tables in any sort of eatery in the UK. People are saying it’s perfectly usual- but it really isn’t! I think most people would be surprised if someone asked to share. I’m mid forties and it’s maybe happened to me twice in my whole life. People don’t generally like it.

Wrong.

It's perfectly NORMAL for someone to ask if they can sit at a table with someone else, if there are no more seats/no where else to sit! Good grief! Do you think you are so important that you can occupy a table for 4 on your own, whilst another 1 to 3 people sit on the floor drinking their lattes and eating their cakes?

Breathtakingly selfish and entitled to the nth degree!

My uncle always sits on the floor when this happens, staff usually find him a seat sharpish, bloody embarrassing though

Well I’m happy you’re enjoying it!

I'm really not. I'm pissing myself laughing at the idiocy of this thread!! Been reading bits out to my family and they've been ENJOYING THE BATSHITTERY TOO!! 😂

I re-iterated it because you asked me to i.e. you said ‘And?’

Why ask for clarification if you don’t want it?

And you’re off in a lather again.

Is it? "All"?? I think you need to go to Specsavers. I've already responded to your last snippy remark that said the same thing so I am not sure why you FEEL THE NEED TO BRING IT UP AGAIN??😂

I repeat, I couldn't give a flying fuck about people's behaviour in chain cafes as I rarely go in one and pretty much never on my own.

I will challenge someone who tries to insist they aren't public places, because THAT is ridiculous!!

It’s a bit rich to be complaining about people being in a lather when you’re the only one posting in all caps 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you have mobility issues why would you risk not getting a seat in the first place? If the cafe is busy you have no way of knowing whether there will be a spare seat after queuing regardless of whether you are happy to impose on other people by insisting on sitting at their table.. I have have mobility issues and there is no way I would risk have to stand with coffee and cake plus crutches if all seats were taken. I reserve a seat first as I am sure you would too if you really do have mobility issues.

And? I don't believe I did that "several" times but scroll on if it bothers you.

I don't give a shite about the original point but it's frustrating trying to deal with some of the absolute bollocks being posted here - cafe's aren't public places ffs!!! That's utterly ridiculous!

It’s what happens in every coffee shop I have ever frequented…..I mean why the fuck would you order food in a busy establishment, knowing there’s no tables🤷‍♀️🙄

If you have mobility issues why would you risk not getting a seat in the first place? If the cafe is busy you have no way of knowing whether there will be a spare seat after queuing regardless of whether you are happy to impose on other people by insisting on sitting at their table.. I have have mobility issues and there is no way I would risk have to stand with coffee and cake plus crutches if all seats were taken. I reserve a seat first as I am sure you would too if you really do have mobility issues.

It’s what happens in every coffee shop I have ever frequented…..I mean why the fuck would you order food in a busy establishment, knowing there’s no tables🤷‍♀️🙄

This hogging of tables is a very insular “etiquette”.

Yes you 😊

Quite honestly, I don't care. I have mobility issues and can't stand for long periods of time.

I don't frequent coffee shops very often but I think it's selfish, rude and entitled to insist that people should stand so that one person can sit like Lady Muck on their own.

In all honesty I don't think it happens that often so I don't know why so many people are getting in a lather about it!

In all honesty I don't think it happens that often so I don't know why so many people are getting in a lather about it!

Erm, you’re the one who has posted several posts with sentences in all capitals

Someone's definitely getting something wrong here.......good grief.

You been getting this wrong your whole adult life my lovely, so I will educate you….what you do is look to see if there’s a table……bag the said table…..someone sit at said table whilst other person orders…..if you on your own then put coat or other item on table …..order food ….sit at table…..this is then YOUR table until you get up to leave……this is English etiquette in coffee shops…..no chance of a table, then jog on to the next coffee table…..any one asking to sit at a taken table is a rude and entitled an …… and can expect short shrift from the tables occupant, for their fucking bad manners