thinking people should monopolise tables in self service restaurants when they haven't got any food

[workshy]

been out to Chester zoo today and had a fantastic time however we went to eat in one of the self service cafes, had to queue up for food for 15 minutes and then when we went to find a table there were none.

There were however lots of tables with one or 2 people sat on them with no food -when I asked if we could share there table we we told that the seats were taken by people who were still queuing for food and it would have taken us 10 minutes max to eat a bowl of pasta each

we were eventually shouted over by a very nice man who told us that they would be finished in a minute and he gave us his table

now I'm guilty of doing this in the past but now see the error of my ways -no issue with people sitting down to feed a baby while they wait for their partner, or people who are infirm sitting down to wait but these were people that just could be arsed

so AIBU to think that people shouldn't nick tables until they are actually ready to use them?

Did you read the op? She tried to sit in a spare seat and was given filthy looks and moved on by the table baggers. Clearly a very common sense approach...

What if they run off or wander away when you have a tray of hot drinks and can't do anything about it

What if they run off or wander away while they're meant to be bagsying your table for you?

Well if people are happy to risk having nowhere to eat then fine more fool them but nobody has said anything to convince me that the common sense approach is to make sure you can sit to eat before you buy food.

*What if they run off or wander away when you have a tray of hot drinks and can't do anything about it

What if they run off or wander away while they're meant to be bagsying your table for you?*

They'd have a job as DH is with them.

Just to clarify- I don't leave my kids unattended at a table "bagsying" it for me. I leave my husband with them too. Three people at a four seater table waiting for a fourth to bring a tray of food for them all.

If we had a bigger table, we would budge up and share.

As the op state later there were 6 people I am sure at least one of them will have been old enough to sit at a table thus ensuring a table when they were ready.

How do you do that sirzy if you are a single person/ mum with baby which can't be left alone at a table etc?? Use your psychic skills to know how many people are going to get in ahead of you while you queue?

In the unlikely situation that I were my own and contemplating sitting down in an overcrowded self service restaurant and feared that I would not be able to find a seat, I would leave a coat on a chair. I admit this might be a problem in a heatwave, but I think somehow I would manage.

You do as I said earlier and ask someone if you can sit at their table. I have done it many a time and not once has someone said no.

Well, this has given me a new perspective anyway. It's never occurred to me that bagging a table when you don't have your food and drink in a self service cafe is anything but selfish and rude, but obviously for many it's just doing what they think they're supposed to do! At least I have an insight now!

It's generally easier for one or two people to find a seat than it is for a family or group to find a seat.

When I was single, I'd take my chances and not bags a table. Now I am one of four, I bag a table, leave DH with the kids and go and fetch everyone's food.

But they did say no to the OP - hence the problem!......
Unless you are suggesting she's not telling the truth..

Saying no to 6 people is different really I doubt many people have 6 spare seats at their table!

I would imagine the people who said no were expecting their tray carrier back any second.

I think they said no to the op because the seat wasn't free. If she was under the impression that a system was in place where they shouldn't have occupied a table before buying food then she had every right to complain to the management.

Exactly! So 6 people with food already bought end up hangiing around while people with no food sit at the tables! Madness. Have a table first system for all. Easy solution without involving micromanagement. Also has the advantage that people can choose their own meal rather than having it chosen for them.

However, if say two people were bagging a 6 seater table just for themselves (i,e just the 2 people), then I would say that was unfair and they should have scooted up for the OP.

See? Us table baggers do have a heart.

1 queue,others sit
otherwise are faffing about,getting in folk way,trying to get food,beverage,watch where kids are,steer prams.anyway as soon as the food person return the table will be fully occupied

of course you don't sit down before getting food! it's highly rude! amazed that so many think bagging tables is acceptable

broken britain

Also has the advantage that people can choose their own meal rather than having it chosen for them. Oh FGS! I tell my family what's on the menu and they tell em what they want. Sometimes I send DC to have a quick look before I queue.

Shoot me now.

Honestly- so now table baggers don't let their family choose their own food. Bastards!

YANBU - no food, no table. you can take a packed lunch of you dont want to wait.

*me not em

you can take a packed lunch of you dont want to wait.... & eat elsewhere

Wasabi- we often do.

YANBU

My mum, dad, brother, gran and I used to manage to stand in a queue together, or some of us would stand to the side.

It is just rude to sit down before you have your food.

Yes, you want to be certain you'll have a seat. So do the people who have waited in the queue together.

I have no problem with budging up, but I really wish people would just wait. Not doing so means a table is being held without food even being eaten on it, which means that ultimately the whole process goes slower so fewer people get a table.