Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2 ··· 5 6 7 ··· 11 12

AIBU?

To get annoyed at people who grab a table in cafes while their friends/partners queue up and order?

276 replies

silverphotoframe · 20/10/2013 16:33

Went to a busy coffee shop this afternoon. Long queue etc. By the time I got mine, I was left waiting along with a few other people who had been served before me standing around with our coffees in our hands waiting for someone to leave and/or ask if they minded someone sitting at their table. What really got my goat was that there were 3 tables that were taken by people who had friends/partners in the queue and therefore did not have their drinks/food yet. I see this a lot. Sometimes the amount of time it takes for someone to queue up, order and get their food/beverages is around the same time someone else could have sat down and finished what they ordered.

Luckily after a short time, a table became free which I was able to take. It just annoys me that people do this. I think if we have a queuing system for food etc surely people with the food should get first dibs on the tables. Would it ever be appropriate to confront someone and turf them off their seat?

OP posts:

Report

Stealmysunshine · 20/10/2013 19:20

Really??

I can't believe this is even someone's dilemma.

I wonder how Op/drama queen would feel if they gave up their table as their food/drinks were not yet ready and when they were ready there were no tables available at all, leaving their food to go cold. What would they do, demand the staff being out another table? or just glare at people eating in the hope that they will eat quickly.

It's common sense to save a table if you can, otherwise go elsewhere or choose a quieter time.

Itsybitsyteenyweeneyyellowpolk · 20/10/2013 19:21

bring

Stupid predictive text

ugglyboots · 20/10/2013 19:29

What The Sherrif said.

I get 20 mins per week to myself and I go to a cafe for a cuppa, cake and to read the paper. So often I queue when there are loads of tables free but by the time I've got my tea the tables have been taken by people who came in after me. It's rude, annoying and unfair. Unfortunately I don't have the guts to do a Dramaqueen but I respect her for saying something.

AllDirections · 20/10/2013 19:29

Being in the queue for food doesn't give you a right to a table.

Ha ha, that's one of the funniest things I've read in a long time!

MrsOakenshield · 20/10/2013 19:36

I must say it is only on MN that I have seen people almost universally think this acceptable. In real life, I don't know anyone who does. If you rush in and plonk yourself down without having yet paid for your food, you are not a paying customer - the seats are for those who have paid. They're not for future paying customers. And in some very busy places like the Natural History Museum, some people could easily have sat down and finished in the time it takes others, particularly if they are buying food and drinks for a number of people, to pay (can easily take 10-15 mins, which, if you're just having a quick sarnie, is more than enough time to eat). That is, of course, if you can find a spare seat amongst the selfish fuckers who have taken up half the tables but don't yet have any food or drink to consume.

Arrogant, entitled parenting at it's best. Like I said, only on MN. And I'm afraid that if you do this, you should expect to have it commented on and to get unused seats taken. I'm not sure why the table-hoggers think everyone should dance to their tune.

Oh, and if you don't want your children to have to deal with this, then don't use them to bag your seat. I find that children are actually far more aware of how unfair this behaviour is, and I have often seen children looking very uncomfortable, surrounded by others with trays looking for a seat - they know they shouldn't be sat there before getting their meal, whatever their parents think.

Rufus44 · 20/10/2013 19:38

It can't only be on MN otherwise it wouldn't happen in real life surely!

Unless only mnetters go to cafe

CrohnicallyLurking · 20/10/2013 19:42

Those of you saying that it's reasonable for people with children/the elderly/disabled to sit down, how can you tell? Not all disabilities come with wheelchairs or crutches, you know. What if someone with fibro or similar is in pain and needs a seat?

MrsOakenshield · 20/10/2013 19:49

it's only on MN that so many think this is right. In real life not everyone, nowhere like everyone, does this.

Alisvolatpropiis · 20/10/2013 19:50

Plenty of people do though...I've never even seen it as an issue.

How funny that people get annoyed about it!

Rufus44 · 20/10/2013 19:56

My point is that lots of people do it, therefore they must think its ok.

I did it, with my 3 children as I have already stated, long before I joined MN. So it can be an "only on MN do people think its ok"

Although if you follow that to its logical conclusion I joined MN because I already thought like a MNetter

Don't mind me mrsoakenshield I am just being contrary

SatinSandals · 20/10/2013 19:57

In RL I find that everyone does it, I haven't been to the Natural History Museum recently but we definitely got a table first at the V & A and the National Portrait Gallery, it is quite simple that I do not want food or drink without a table. It always works out, I am very often on my own and so can't bag a table but I have always got a seat. It isn't he big issue that people are making it out to be. When my children were little I definitely parked them first and it was never an issue and no one upset them.
I would love to complain about the irritating people who queue with small children who won't keep still, but I am too polite.

Rufus44 · 20/10/2013 19:57

Can't not can! Can't !!!!!!

NynaevesSister · 20/10/2013 19:57

I go to the Natural History Museum all the time and I see loads of people do this. I make sure I get there early enough that we are ready to sit and eat well before the rush.

Wilberforce2 · 20/10/2013 19:57

Our local M&S cafe have a sign telling you to order before finding a table but hardly anyone pays any attention to it! It is so busy that there would be hoards of people hanging around waiting with trays of hot food and drinks which is surely just a hazard? So yes YABU x

SHarri13 · 20/10/2013 19:58

Alldirections, assuming you are talking about a costa type coffee shop, which I am, then it just doesn't nice you anymore right to a table than someone further back the queue than you doesn't. That's what I meant. If my child sits on a table in a cafe, and I'm a couple of people behind you in the queue do you think that means you are more entitled to that table? If so, what if I entered the cafe before you but in the process of taking my child to the table, you enter the cafe and join the queue. Technically I was there first so surely the table should be mine?

Ha, I can't believe how much thought I'm putting into this virtual issue. My children are all asleep early for once.I like cafes and go a lot an this has never ever happened. If somewhere was as busy as described I'd have a crap time if I stayed anyway so would leave and go somewhere else.

SatinSandals · 20/10/2013 19:59

The silly thing is that these threads are like the shoes on carpets ones and no one changes their minds! We will all carry on doing what we always do.

Caitlin17 · 20/10/2013 20:02

There is, or certainly was the last time I was in, a sign in my local M &S asking people not to book seats in this way.

I8toys · 20/10/2013 20:04

Did it this morning - what is the point of standing there and waiting when husband is paying and me just standing there with him. Waste of time.

Come sit with me if you like - couldn't care less. I am a table hogger.

TheDoctrineOfSpike · 20/10/2013 20:05

Hullygully · 20/10/2013 20:07

I don't know anyone, in THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, anywhere, who doesn't grab a table while the other person queues.

Hullygully · 20/10/2013 20:08

AND I've never ever ever ever heard anyone moan about it - except on MN.

SatinSandals · 20/10/2013 20:09

There is a sign in my local M&S but people use common sense. The best M&S is one where you queue, are given a seat and then queue for food. When I queried it they said it was because there had been so much trouble before. They could all do it quite easily.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Hullygully · 20/10/2013 20:10

TWO QUEUES?

And you think that's best...?

SatinSandals · 20/10/2013 20:12

Works a treat! You are given a table straight away unless it is busy and then there is no table so you queue or go elsewhere. As a lone person it is brilliant because you then queue knowing that no one will take your table.

AllDirections · 20/10/2013 20:13

SHarri13 If there is a table free then I don't mind if you get it regardless of whether you arrived before or after me. I'll even share with you if you want

My Costa is usually quiet so if I'm on my own I'll queue first and then get a table BUT I always grab the newspaper that I want as soon as I set eyes on it, sometimes even before I get in the queue and certainly before I've bought my food

Flip

1 2 ··· 5 6 7 ··· 11 12

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.