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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To take up a bigger table than needed in a cafe?

453 replies

Egit · 30/03/2026 13:43

To try to use a bigger table in a cafe?

I know it’s not always possible, such as during busy times, and I would never ‘hog’ a larger table for myself.

But during quiet times… such as right now! I’m in a cafe on my own with 2 dogs and I’ve sat myself at a 4 seater table.

I actually hate 2 seater ones. They are just too small and I get claustrophobic with all the clutter of cutlery, condiments, sides of veg etc.

I like to spread out!

OP posts:
Gloriia · 02/04/2026 10:34

BoogieTownTop · 02/04/2026 10:32

But the ones in your area allegedly stopped having dogs in the cafe because of your input? This isn’t the case with these ones.

A pp said 'You probably have Gloria to thank for that'. So I responded to that. I was being light hearted, I obviously do not think I'm responsible for all bannings, just some!

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 10:34

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 10:32

We are discussing people in cafes with dogs, on a chat forum.

And you are talking about people you’ve previously judged. Keep up.

BoogieTownTop · 02/04/2026 10:32

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 10:05

Yes maybe in my area 🤗

But the ones in your area allegedly stopped having dogs in the cafe because of your input? This isn’t the case with these ones.

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 10:32

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 10:27

You judging people in cafes is a chat forum?

We are discussing people in cafes with dogs, on a chat forum.

Seaside3 · 02/04/2026 10:31

It's not judging to know people who have dogs and yet prefer to go to places that dont allow dogs to eat. They do exist. (The people and the places!)

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 10:27

You judging people in cafes is a chat forum?

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 10:26

'Do any of you just mind your own business once in a while or are you constantly making up stories about people?'

It's a chat forum, folk share their experiences and discussion ensues. It's how it works.

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 10:16

Gloria sees someone in a cafe with a dog and immediately assumes they take them everywhere and therefore have no friends. Two of you have somehow come to the conclusion that dog owners prefer dog free places when they don’t have their dog with them. Do any of you just mind your own business once in a while or are you constantly making up stories about people?

Seaside3 · 02/04/2026 10:10

I live in the same area as the op. @GivesYourHosieryaFright I see it happening more and more here too. And i suspect you're right, dog owners can actually enjoy going dog free for a short while.

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 10:09

'One of the things I have noticed is even dog owners prefer a dog-free environment when they go out without their animals'

Exactly. I love ours, and do like seeing others when out walking but I don't want to go in a cafe and sit on a dog haired covered seat or have to step over one whilst carrying a tray of hot drinks. It's a health & safety plus hygiene issue.

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 10:05

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 09:53

You probably have Gloria to thank for that.

Yes maybe in my area 🤗

GivesYourHosieryaFright · 02/04/2026 10:05

Seaside3 · 02/04/2026 09:51

There are actually several places around me where dogs have now been banned. The owners got fed up of cleaning up after irresponsible dog owners - think garden centers with cafes where the dogs were weeing and more on the stock. So it's not just customers like me, who are afraid of dogs, but staff who are fed up of their shops being used as exercise grounds. I suspect the days of dogs everywhere has reached its peak.

I live in a very touristy area.

After covid, it got to the point that it was almost impossible to find a café or restaurant that didn't accept dogs in our area.

People did complain and over the last few years, a lot of places have either stopped allowing dogs at all, or restrict them to a small area, or outside.

There were a few howls of outrage and predictions of doom at first when dogs were banned/restricted, but it settled down very quickly and the cafés and restaurants that don't allow, or limit dogs are doing very well.

One of the things I have noticed is even dog owners prefer a dog-free environment when they go out without their animals.

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 10:02

I’m sure it’ll be down to Gloria’s one woman crusade but I’m glad people can no longer say there’s no dog free cafes they can visit. Now everyone is happy.

Seaside3 · 02/04/2026 09:58

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 09:53

You probably have Gloria to thank for that.

Just irresponsible dog owners and sensible cafe owners I believe.

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 09:53

Seaside3 · 02/04/2026 09:51

There are actually several places around me where dogs have now been banned. The owners got fed up of cleaning up after irresponsible dog owners - think garden centers with cafes where the dogs were weeing and more on the stock. So it's not just customers like me, who are afraid of dogs, but staff who are fed up of their shops being used as exercise grounds. I suspect the days of dogs everywhere has reached its peak.

You probably have Gloria to thank for that.

Seaside3 · 02/04/2026 09:51

There are actually several places around me where dogs have now been banned. The owners got fed up of cleaning up after irresponsible dog owners - think garden centers with cafes where the dogs were weeing and more on the stock. So it's not just customers like me, who are afraid of dogs, but staff who are fed up of their shops being used as exercise grounds. I suspect the days of dogs everywhere has reached its peak.

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 09:49

Do they not have allergies phobias or dislikes in beer gardens? Is it only you that gets to decide what’s right and wrong?

The friend comment was a poorly disguised attempt at a dig. Embarrassing and uncalled for.

AutumnLover1990 · 02/04/2026 09:47

Not a problem if it's quiet but if people are looking around obviously for somewhere to sit,then I'll say they can sit on this table too.

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 09:44

BoogieTownTop · 02/04/2026 09:28

Please don’t preach about politeness, since you have been so rude 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

What have you called people

Friendless
Unreasonable
Selfish

To name a few, you’d have to be polite yourself to expect politeness back.

Keep in with your one woman war against the cafes, see you this time next year when nothings changed. Go back on MN a year, you’ll see the same whinge then, but her two cafes you’ve managed to change allegedly hasn’t made a noticeable difference? 🤷‍♀️

I haven't called anyone friendless, unreasonable or selfish. I've said it is inconsiderate and selfish behaviour to force dogs on other people in small confines like cafes. So many people have allergies, phobias or just don't like dogs.

I said 'some dog owners maybe don't have friends so their pet goes everywhere with them'. Some not all. If someone is taking several dogs everywhere with them and hogging tables for 4 when they are the only person present it does make you wonder.

BoogieTownTop · 02/04/2026 09:41

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 09:37

Business owners everywhere rethinking their model due to Gloria’s compelling arguments.

Brilliant!

Honestly, this time next year the whole country will have a blanket ban, people will be rehoming their dogs in droves, because they can no longer access cafes!

Onleemoi · 02/04/2026 09:37

Business owners everywhere rethinking their model due to Gloria’s compelling arguments.

BoogieTownTop · 02/04/2026 09:28

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 09:11

The op has posted for opinions, so as long as posted politely <try it>,she'll get them.

The cafe the op was in was empty, wonder why. The owners will probably do what many others are doing and stop allowing dogs.

The cafe may have been empty at that time, the ones who don’t allow dogs have probably closed.

BoogieTownTop · 02/04/2026 09:28

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 09:11

The op has posted for opinions, so as long as posted politely <try it>,she'll get them.

The cafe the op was in was empty, wonder why. The owners will probably do what many others are doing and stop allowing dogs.

Please don’t preach about politeness, since you have been so rude 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

What have you called people

Friendless
Unreasonable
Selfish

To name a few, you’d have to be polite yourself to expect politeness back.

Keep in with your one woman war against the cafes, see you this time next year when nothings changed. Go back on MN a year, you’ll see the same whinge then, but her two cafes you’ve managed to change allegedly hasn’t made a noticeable difference? 🤷‍♀️

Gloriia · 02/04/2026 09:11

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

The op has posted for opinions, so as long as posted politely <try it>,she'll get them.

The cafe the op was in was empty, wonder why. The owners will probably do what many others are doing and stop allowing dogs.

BoogieTownTop · 02/04/2026 09:08

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

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