that people who grab tables at self service restaurants without getting food dirst

[Windsock]

are nobs
owners of small kids etcetc ussual conditions apply
it REALLY annoys me.
this messes up the flow of traffic and one person sits there hogging a space where 4 people could get in eat AND have left byt he time their person arrives

Who won. The Table Hoggers or the Food Firsts. I'm thinking in terms of numbers probably the TH's but it terms of who's the most determined is it the FF's. Or is it a draw.

Don't see how it's queue jumping. One member of a group standing in a queue does so on behalf of the others in their group or family and they won't be eating any quicker because they've managed to secure a table.

To those who think it is rude, being unreasonable or whatever adjective, how do you consider you would perhaps balance shopping bags, toddlers, pushchairs and carry a tray of food? Do you really like being behind a large family in a queue when only one member actually needs to be?

It is by far the safest and easiest way to conduct yourself in a public eatery - one of you find a table, settle yourself and children whilst one member places order and takes to table. And considering price of eating out, I think one is entitled to do that, ensure you have somewhere comfortable to eat before actually ordering.

No it isn't unreasonable in the slightest.

Vivian it is the table hoggers common sense, sit and then order brigade who have won in number and determination I think.

It was people earlier saying this argument never gets resolved... It set us a challenge! (plus we're right).

people who feel the need for 8 of them to queue for one order irrationally annoy me - but i think this is because i normally am operating the till on our 'express' lane (mcds) but i can also see how people sitting not eating can be extreemly annoying - my advice their is pretty much ALWAYS some room - your just not looking hard enough - you may have to split up your group a bit / have to share a table with people you dont know (horror of horrors) but if its REALLY full why not either-eat somewhere else where this isn't a issue or come back later on??

This argument never gets resolved, but if everyone just keeps doing what they are doing then the table hoggers come out of it better than the standing martyrs. :o

'I was in Ikea recently and a group of 3 adults sat at a table a girl who was about 7 was saving for her mum. Poor wee thing must have felt so awkward. Total bullying behaviour'

that's not bullying!! They had bought their food and wanted a table to eat at! The girl wasn't eating presumably?

I've never had any interest in being a martyr and I still can't see the sense in standing around so will carry on the table hogging

For crying out loud, this thread comes up every week.

Logic and common sense dictates that in self service cafes, queue then sit down ensures a smoother flow of customers and that no one with a meal will ever be kept waiting by someone hogging a table.

However as there are lots of table hoggers about these days it seems the sensible approach is for everyone to this,saving a table first by placing a bag or coat on it or leaving someone sat there.

It will displease current table hoggers as they would prefer one rule for them and another for everyone else, but its no doubt the way to go.

Hi all,

Apologies that it has taken some time for us to get to this, we have removed the word "invalids' from The OP as it is a disablist term in this context, which is against our guidelines.

Best wishes

Rebecca
MNHQ

It will displease current table hoggers as they would prefer one rule for them and another for everyone else, but its no doubt the way to go.

Bollocks. It's not one rule for us and one for other people.

I honestly, in my heart of hearts, thought everybody got a seat then fetched the food. I don't expect everybody else to do something different. Where on earth did you get that idea from?

It will displease current table hoggers as they would prefer one rule for them and another for everyone else, but its no doubt the way to go.

Have you any evidence for that? All of the people saying they prefer to sit first have so far been saying that they don't do it to gain some mythical advantage over other people and most believe the majority do it anyway.

happyinherts. What an excellent and sensible post.

Snap youoldslag!

I love the people who talk about "safety" like getting some tea and a scone is like putting out a fire on an oil rig. Yes, lives are at stake here. Let's follow procedure.

vezzie, my scones could kill when dropped from a metre or so.

vezzie- just because a bit of hot water won't kill a child, but will only scald it, doesn't mean it's safe. Besides an accident can be bad for business and it's not fair on the cafe to have running kids and hot drinks and people with trays in the exact same area.

I love how you escalate and ridicule risk by comparing it to an oil rig and fires! is that the only way you can use persuasive argument?

I work in a cafe, I have asked people to remove their bags and coats etc so customer who have already bought food can sit down.

High fives usualsuspect .

I'm coming to visit your caff.

vezzie - do you have toddlers or young children? They can be rather unpredictable and excited when out and about. Your analogy of safety and oil rigs and fires is a bit extreme, but do you think it's safe for toddlers and young children to be in a public queue and perhaps get under the feet of elderly or people carrying trays of drinks (or anything really) ? Why put potential hazards in the way - just simply find a space at a table and settle children down.

I think it's round to usualsuspects for a

Having worked in somewhere and had a small child run into me when I was carrying a tray of thankfully empty cups and plates it isn't hard to see how young children running around could lead to a nasty accident.

Much better to leave them safe in a seat

Sirzy, once children are in a seat, do they never get up and move around?

If you are a single parent, you'd be better off keeping them with you so they can't move about.

yanbu. Actually it really pisses me of as a single parent as I have to table hunt with kids under my feet holding a tray and squeeze past tables of other table hoggers saving it for their DP's / friends.

The DC's are too young to sit at a table while I queue up as they'll only run off.

Of course if a child is to young to be left sensibly and with no adult you take them with you but when its 2 or more adults then the only sensible thing is to get the children settled while one person goes to order.