AIBU that when you are alone in a busy cafe...

[warmandwooly]

And paying for your coffee etc that people who are just coming in shouldn't hot the only available tables while their DH etc go and collect their order.
FFS they can see it's busy. They can see people at the que making their order AIBU to suggest they maybe have some thought for others?

I bought a coffee and a punani in Caffe Nero once and couldn't get a table due to all of the cunts folk hogging tables whilst their friend dithered over baked goods at the counter. I went back to the till and said that they could either ask a hogger to move so that I could sit or I wanted my money back. The 2 year old behind the till did a face that said "oooh but I don't like conflict" so I just got my six quid back and went to Greggs and had a sausage roll. He did me a favour as I love Gregs sausage rolls.

Haha imagine if we were all at the same costa ?

Next time I am in Costa sitting in my nice comfy sofa all alone I shall watch the queue with great interest and look out for the glare of the potential MNer.

I think most people get a table first especially if there's a group. I think it's fine, apart from the cafe that have signs telling you not to. These definately exist. The Regency in Victoria has this rule and will enforce it rigorously

There are deffo cafes with the rules that you don't sit down before ordering. The regency in Victoria rigourously enforces it.

Lawrence - a bit too much caffeine there ?

People are often wandering around costa wondering how it is that they ordered a coffee and then 30 minutes later they get handed a big cup of lukewarm froth.

OK - I have been on MN for like, oh two years now, and I have never before had the cafe table debate.

What have I been doing?

Pag Why the extra a - or have I missed something else.

Buppy - you can't just order a new Punani because yours is still itchy - esp not in costa!!

Exit - how the hell have you missed it????

I don't think the double a is the real one... she is posting weird things with the double a and I don't agree with her like I do with the single a.

Blimey Exit, you are a cafe rage virgin. Who knew.

I just changed it after doing my first ever name change for dickens.
I am trying to get used to it but I feel like I have lost my pagwatchiness.

See, see. I don't even seem like myself.
I will have to change back. It's all weird.

Typo then. Tut.

Or is that trembling thing that comes on with arthriticky hands.

Yep. It'll rain tonight, mark my words.

not read whole thread sorry, but I have been known to actually sit down at a table where someone was saving it for the person in the queue on the basis that I have my food /drink now and need to sit down, they'll have to wait or we can share. Usually the person either agrees we can all share or huffs off - highly unlikely they'll physically haul you out of your seat and they can't really argue the point if you have got your food and drink and they haven't.

would anyone mind if, when I am alone in a busy costa, I plonked a cardboard cutout (or maybe a blow up doll?) at a table whilst I go off to queue for my flat white?

yes I would Karismatik because I work in a costa and hate making flat whites. Order a tea and I'll even bring over an extra cup for the cut out. (lazy barista )

Betty"s Yorkshire , greeted by wonderful "front of house" gentleman, shown to our seats, menu"s brought to table . smiles all round, noticed whilst there, six little ones sitting in high chairs supplied by Co.! an establishment that has totally !"got it" . (in my opinion anyway) way to go "

How did you do that little coffee cup up there EauDeLaPoisson ? What have I missed?

Exit - I've beeen here for four years and have never come acrosss the cafe table debate either. I also did not know until this morning that MNers are apparently famous for asking 'Did you mean to be so rude?' Who knew?

Oh dear, didn't mean to ignore the OP's question. My answer is the very controversial YABU. Go on, flame me. It has never even occurred to me when entering a cafe with my DCs to even look at the queue to see who might need a table before me. How terrible am I?

Disclaimer: this horrendously selfish behaviour only applies on the very rare occassions that we are entering a cafe en famille and therefore have a spare adult to settle the kids at the table while the other goes to collect the food. Usually it's just me struggling with two wriggling hungry children and a giant buggy overflowing with nappies and shopping bags, taking up everyone else's valuable cake viewing space in the queue.

Either way I suppose I am sure to get some tuts.

Fanny - get the kids trained now - they are great table 'savers'

I am pretty sure 'did you mean to be so rude' was one of mine.

But I may be subconsciously bigging myself up. I am tat much of a smart arse though so it is possible and I have used it several times in real life aaaages ago.

I am posting this from cafe Nero where I am using a table for four ...mwahahahaha

...taking up valuable cake viewing space in the queue

Now that is bloody annoying!

Strike my last post. It was bof. I am so much cleverer in my head than I am in real life.....