Is saving a table while someone else gets coffee/cake etc an ok thing to do?

[Eeepsh]

Inspired by the M&S cafe thread, I hadn't realised that one person sitting at the table whilst other gets drinks, wasn't the done thing.

We do this as my 86 year old dad needs to sit down, but I always assumed everyone else did it anyway?

Depends if there are plenty of tables free for everyone ahead of you in the queue.

All standing in the queue getting in the way is much worse. 1 to queue, everyone else sit down out of the way.

And what should people who are on their own do as they have nobody to save a table for them?

It is the done thing in every place I've ever been to in my 54 years.

Apart from Mumsnet of course 🤣🤣

Some places have reserved signs you can use. Otherwise leave a coat/book at the table or ask someone on a nearby table to watch it for you.

as a person on your own you can also ask to use a random seat if needed which is harder with a bigger party.

whole families standing in the queue or hovering around just makes no sense!

People often do it as a way of jumping the queue for seats. Fine if there are plenty of seats available; fine with the elderly relative; selfish if people are milling around with their purchased drinks unsuccessfully trying to find a seat.

Leave a coat, jumper, scarf, book, shopping bag, anything else non-valuable on the table.

One of the cafes I go to specifically tells you to find a table before ordering so if I'm on my own there (or anywhere else really) that's what I do.

I think this is fine. U can't expect an elderly person of 86 to queue OP.

I took my 2yr old to an M&S cafe for lunch just before Xmas. Every table was taken by 1 of a pair/group, whilst the other queued. I had to carry a tray with hot drinks and lunch and drag a toddler to a space whilst all the solo sitters tried to avoid eye contact. I do get it, I've done it with my mum when we go out, but it is frustrating if you're on your own.

Totally fine

Of course it's fine, only on MN do some get up in arms about it.

I always do this. I never give it a second thought!

I absolutely do this
Husband gets the drinks and I sit at the table with my baby. Anyone got a problem with that can piss off

My one and only mate has had brain surgery and yes I make sure she has a seat while I queue.. Happily death stare anyone who disapproves...

FFS it's absolutely the given way to do things. People on here are so weird

I think its OK and normal. I'd be irritated by a large group all chatting in the queue then having a big conference when deciding what to get. Much more practical for one to queue and everyone else sit down.

I don't think it's an issue if you are alone, I just queue first then look for a seat. It's much easier perch somewhere alone, there are usually additional counters and stools for this, unless you were very unlucky at a crazy busy time.

I've worked in many cafes in my time and it's absolutely the done thing. Frustrating for people on their own, sure, but it is very much normal and socially acceptable.

Totally normal
Way to do it

Who wants a family stood in a queue clogging things up ??

Everywhere I go we do it and so does everyone else.

My Mum is in her late 70s recovering from strokes and a hip replacement, visibly disabled and uses a stick but got a load of huffing and puffing, nasty looks and tutting from a fit young couple in their early 30s when she sat straight down while I queued directly behind them in a fairly quiet Costa last week. The week before, a young man literally raced past her and slid into the seat just as she was hovering and sitting down (the kind of thing a toddler would do). His girlfriend, who was behind me in the queue, must be so proud of her choice in men.

Some people would rather be twats than accept that sometimes in life other people have greater needs than them.

When I am on my own, I do have to wait or, rarely, if it's busy take out. But it's no big deal. I'd rather someone less mobile or with very young children is able to sit.

It’s ok, but it is annoying if you’re on your own. I’ve identified a table in a cafe, queued up and paid and then someone behind me has taken the table and I’ve had to just ask for my money back as there’s nowhere else to sit. It’s only happened once but it was annoying and the counter staff huffed at me but what was I supposed to do? I had no idea how long I would have to wait.
This is why I like table service!

I do this if the cafe is busy or if we want a particular table, sometimes I do it a bit later down the queue.
Our local M&S for example has a lot of people sitting and chatting with a cup of tea/ coffee and mums with younger children which means tables are getting free very slowly so you have to be vigilant.

I was in a cafe on my own and all tables were taken up with one or two in a 4 seater. They wouldn't let me sit down with my purchased drink and scone. In the finish, I brazenly sat opposite one person at a 4 seater table. They said all seats were reserved. I sat down anyway and offered to move when the other 3 people 'arrived'. In actual fact, only one person came over, still 2 empty spaces and they didn't want me to share the table at all. If the cafe didn't do a policy of sharing tables, then they should not have sold me 10 worth of food and drink!!!

I was at M&S alone yesterday, while in the queue I was spotting tables coming free and being taken by people behind me in the queue (majority had no kids, no elderly etc) so when I paid for my items I walked around 3 times and had to perch on the counter with my drink, thankfully by the time my food came I managed to sit down.

I have a disabled mother so fully support those in need saving a table but if you are able bodied think of others

I think it’s fine. There are people who can’t wait in the queue eg if there are 2 adults with young kids then kids are best sat at the table away from hazards like hot drinks.

One person sits. The other orders. What other way is there to do it?