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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:

EssentialDecluttering · 17/07/2025 13:56

I just say either "have you got a table for two" if it looks quiet and there's an absence of reserved signs or "have you got a table for two, we haven't booked" if it looks busy. Then they don't need to ask. But I don't mind if they do. I can see how it might just come across as them chiding you for not having booked but you'd have to be pretty easily offended. If I was the staff member I'd have just said "sorry, just needed to check" rather than engaging further TBH.

Charabanc · 17/07/2025 13:59

I worked in hospitality. One busy, sunny Saturday lunch we got a walk in group of four people. We told them that unfortunately we were fully booked, but they could have a scone or whatever. They turned tail and left.

Later, one of the men left us a shitty review on TripAdvisor, saying that we weren't fully booked "because there were lots of empty tables inside". Yes mate, that's because they're all sittinng outside!!! And if he had taken the trouble to look, or consider, he would have realised that we were shortly to seat a group of 20 campers who had booked.

Our kitchen could only produce what it could produce.

Arsehole.

Pootles34 · 17/07/2025 14:00

What kind of a person gets offended by that? Rhetorical question, we all know the answer...

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legolegoeverywhereandnotadroptodrink · 17/07/2025 14:00

Yeah, it’s quite annoying at a cafe at breakfast time

PinkPlatypus · 17/07/2025 14:00

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!

As a waitress of almost 15 years this absolutely does happen.
’have you got a table for 2?’
’no I’m sorry we’re fully booked until 8pm’
’well we booked for 7pm!’
…
This has happened to me so many times I couldn’t even count.

Charabanc · 17/07/2025 14:14

legolegoeverywhereandnotadroptodrink · 17/07/2025 14:00

Yeah, it’s quite annoying at a cafe at breakfast time

Did you miss the bit where the OP said that her party had booked? So clearly a popular place.

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 17/07/2025 14:22

More annoying is booking a table, sitting at table, ordering food.... then watching as a million Uber Eats etc get take aways while you sit there paying a premium in service charge.

Phoenix15 · 17/07/2025 14:58

PinkPlatypus · 17/07/2025 14:00

Show quote history

People who haven’t worked hospitality or a service job just can’t seem to believe how oblivious some people are. I’ve had the same sort of conversations a million times

Original poster

Audiwannabe · 18/07/2025 08:00

Thanks all.

She wasn't turned away for not having a booking, she wasn't chided and the question wasn't asked in a loaded way or with any scolding or anything, the guy simply said "Good Morning, have you booked a table with us this morning?", exactly the same as he did with us, he didn't say she had to, that she couldn't be spontaneous, that she couldn't have a table, that she should have booked........ just asked the question if she had and I think her reaction was totally unnecessary to what was actually said, a lot of the things people are saying annoy them here aren't actually what happened.

If other people don't want to book and be spontaneous does that mean that others like us shouldn't be able to book because they might get asked a simple question on arrival?

OP posts:

mydogisthebest · 18/07/2025 08:34

It irritates me when they ask "have you booked" and we reply "no" and they then pull a face and say along the lines of "well I'll have to check" when the place is almost empty and remains that way for the next 2 hours.

Me and DH go out to eat on the spur of the moment and accept that some restaurants will be fully booked. Most restaurants are not though and make themselves look silly by asking when they have more empty tables than taken ones

Charabanc · 18/07/2025 09:09

mydogisthebest · 18/07/2025 08:34

It's not about the tables being empty or full. It's about what the kitchen can produce.

There's a big difference between people having coffee and cake, say, and having a two course cooked meal.

So for Sunday lunch, say, it might not look like the venue is fully booked because there may be some empty tables. But the kitchen is fully booked because it can only produce so much food at a time.

ETA: Also, the place may seem empty inside because most people are sitting outside. It's all about the kitchen, not chairs and tables.

Charabanc · 18/07/2025 09:10

mydogisthebest · 18/07/2025 08:34

Most restaurants are not though and make themselves look silly by asking when they have more empty tables than taken ones

Do you actually think they're turning away business for the laugh?!

Gowlett · 18/07/2025 09:18

I work in events, and there is a level of arseholery towards waiting staff, barmen, hotel reception, anyone working there.

Most folks are nice, and a pleasure to deal with. But there’s always someone entitled, offended or just a big toddler-person!

Anxioustealady · 18/07/2025 12:30

mydogisthebest · 18/07/2025 08:34

Seems really strange to go out for something pleasant like a meal and be easily irritated. I always get excellent service and I think it's because I'm just not that fussy. I would go up and say "Hi, sorry we've not booked but do you have a table for 2?" and whatever the answer it's fine. If there are empty tables I assume they're reserved or that the staff know a lot more than I do.

I'm really glad I don't work in hospitality anymore, but maybe everyone should do a year of it.

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