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Original poster

Have you booked a table?

39 replies

Audiwannabe · 17/07/2025 12:40

Do you get annoyed if you go somewhere for a meal and you get asked this?

I went out with some friends for breakfast this morning and we were behind someone else waiting to be seated (we'd booked) and they were asked if they had booked (as were we also asked) and the woman got really cross and het up about it, saying they hadn't but asking why did it matter, she could see the had spare tables, if you have to book why not have a sign, they just want some breakfast, she was sick of being asked all the time, if they didn't want her business......

The guy seating could barely get a word in edgeways for her rant, but when he did he explained that they take bookings and walk ins, but bookings may have booked a specific table, have certain requests or requirements they'd voiced at booking so it was important to know if the customer they were about to seat had booked or not so they could get the right table, had the right info. But as a walk in they were welcome to which she replied being asked if she'd booked made her feel unwelcome as a walk in.

Seems fair enough to me and the friends that I was with to ask, a sensible way to manage things, and it was just a question and asked politely. We were a bit taken aback and confused by her attitude but one of my friends said they've had conversations with people who hate being asked.

I just found it bizarre that she (or anyone else) would take such offence at it, surely if you have booked you want them to have your booking and find out who you are so you can be seated at the right table with the right info (if there is any of course).

OP posts:
spoonbillstretford · 17/07/2025 12:44

No, but I get mildly annoyed when I have booked and you have a wait to get your table as they've taken too many walk-ins, or have not managed the booked customers properly, or don't have enough staff to get tables cleared or you sat down quickly.

FfaCoff · 17/07/2025 12:46

Of course not, absolutely the first question I expect to be asked if there's a 'wait to be seated' sign. She clearly just wanted an argument. I bet she was a nightmare to the waiting staff!

purplecorkheart · 17/07/2025 12:47

Nope, it does not bother me at all. I really do feel sorry for people doing their job and having to deal with crap like that.

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DucksGiven2 · 17/07/2025 12:47

Perfectly reasonable question - if you have booked they will have already allocated you a table, if you haven't, they'll have to find you one - even if there are lots of spare tables, if they don't establish that you've booked one they will be holding the booked table unnecessarily while you are seated somewhere else, and the place might get busier as time goes on.

Also, it's not just about spare tables, it's about capacity of serving staff, kitchen and chefs - they might be short-staffed, for example.

Charabanc · 17/07/2025 12:49

Not only will they have allocated you a table, they have allocated you a time, so the chef knows roughly who they're cooking for and when, and will try and fit walk ins around that.

People who book get priority, as they should.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 17/07/2025 12:52

She's being a total prat.

If you book a table and then sit down as though you were a walk in, somebody else who turns up as a walk in might not get a table because the table you booked is being held for you when you're sitting at another table.

If you've booked they need to know whether you showed up or not. Surely this is basic stuff.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 17/07/2025 12:52

Perfectly reasonable question, hospitality staff can’t read minds!

OohRains · 17/07/2025 12:54

The most irritating part is when you ask "have you got a table for 2" and they reply "do you have a booking?" - well of course not if I'm asking if you have any spaces!

JaneAustensCatDotty · 17/07/2025 12:54

It's a normal question but having worked in hospitality for many years, I have heard it all and stupider.

DancefloorAcrobatics · 17/07/2025 12:59

Round here you have to book if you want anywhere half decent. Otherwise you'll be turned away.

For better places you need to book weeks in advance.... it's sad really, because we have stopped eating out unless it's a big occasion. I can't be asked to faff around with booking everything and anticipate a time for lunch / dinner when out and about.

limescale · 17/07/2025 13:04

She was rude, no doubt about it.
That said, I maybe understand her frustration. Since COVID it's no longer possible to be spontaneous. You can't just stop off on the way home from a day out and find a place to eat (unless you're happy with fast food).

Even booking a pub Sunday lunch a day in advance has become nigh on impossible around here.

I'm still get used to it and find it a bit rude when hospitality staff almost sneer at you for even asking if they have a free table.

Cynic17 · 17/07/2025 13:09

I always book, as I want to make sure I'll be served. Empty tables does not mean that they have capacity for walk ups, as a good restaurant will only book the numbers that the kitchen can cope with.
So this woman mentioned in the OP is dim, as well rude.

Delatron · 17/07/2025 13:12

I wouldn’t get irate about it but… if I have a booking I walk in and say ‘I have a table booked for this time and give my name. If I don’t, I ask ‘do you have a table for…’. So it’s obvious I don’t have a booking. If they then ask if I have a booking that is mildly annoying but standard. Sometimes I just preempt it and say ‘I don’t have a booking - do you have a table.

There’s never any need to be rude.

RolandOnTheRopes · 17/07/2025 13:13

My DH gets annoyed by this 😂 But similar to what @OohRains says, it's more to you with what you have asked of them. If you have a booking you would say "we've booked a table for (name booked)" and if you are a walk in you say "please can I get a table/do you have a table" but every single time, regardless of which of these you have said, you are always asked if you have booked.
I guess they just want to double check, or they weren't actually listening

RolandOnTheRopes · 17/07/2025 13:17

@Delatron you are a genius
'Sometimes I just preempt it and say ‘I don’t have a booking - do you have a table.'
I've just told my DH he needs to use this phrase 😂

TorroFerney · 17/07/2025 13:19

DucksGiven2 · 17/07/2025 12:47

Perfectly reasonable question - if you have booked they will have already allocated you a table, if you haven't, they'll have to find you one - even if there are lots of spare tables, if they don't establish that you've booked one they will be holding the booked table unnecessarily while you are seated somewhere else, and the place might get busier as time goes on.

Also, it's not just about spare tables, it's about capacity of serving staff, kitchen and chefs - they might be short-staffed, for example.

Exactly this, is that bit not patently obvious? not everything is a loaded question or trying to catch people out.

Nitgel · 17/07/2025 13:23

I don't think I would.book for a breakfast. I sort.of agree with the.woman in op. Sometimes you don't want to plan everything in advance esp a breakfast.

carrythecan · 17/07/2025 13:29

Nitgel · 17/07/2025 13:23

I don't think I would.book for a breakfast. I sort.of agree with the.woman in op. Sometimes you don't want to plan everything in advance esp a breakfast.

But that’s not the point of the question, the venue was able to accommodate the woman without a booking, but just needed to know if they had booked for all the reasons mentioned in this thread.

HunnyPot · 17/07/2025 13:30

She’s insane. I pity the poor server on her table. The fact he didn’t show her the door is everything that’s wrong with Britain today.

Anxioustealady · 17/07/2025 13:43

OohRains · 17/07/2025 12:54

The most irritating part is when you ask "have you got a table for 2" and they reply "do you have a booking?" - well of course not if I'm asking if you have any spaces!

Working in hospitality you almost become like a robot with stock phrases that come out on autopilot. I wouldn't be irritated or give it any thought, just answer whatever questions they ask. Hospitality workers aren't trying to be difficult.

bostonchamps · 17/07/2025 13:43

Nitgel · 17/07/2025 13:23

I don't think I would.book for a breakfast. I sort.of agree with the.woman in op. Sometimes you don't want to plan everything in advance esp a breakfast.

That's not what the OP was asking, and that's not what the woman the OP was saying either?

I think only a certain kind of person could get offended by someone asking them a very basic, easily answered question.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 17/07/2025 13:53

OohRains · 17/07/2025 12:54

The most irritating part is when you ask "have you got a table for 2" and they reply "do you have a booking?" - well of course not if I'm asking if you have any spaces!

Yeah but people are thick and staff have to bear that in mind.

WitchesofPainswick · 17/07/2025 13:54

God! Who'd work with the public these days?

ChocolateCinderToffee · 17/07/2025 13:54

She sounds as though she doesn’t eat in nice restaurants very often. I’d have been embarrassed for her.

dogcatkitten · 17/07/2025 13:55

She probably thought they were going to say all the tables were booked so was getting her shot in first. Leading on to insisting on getting a table whether or not.

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