Re:Sitting on spare seats at an occupied table in a cafe

[Bahhhhhumbug]

Just asking your thoughts really. DD and I were in a small licensed cafe in a local town during the day recently. It is a bit of a 'lovey' type place with lots of showbiz people etc. without outing where I live. The café is quite cramped with lots of little tables seating no more than four people each and that's at a push really.
It is very popular and DD and I got the last available table (the least popular right in front of the door , so draughty) We then observed several couples standing in the doorway yeah thanks for that looking around to establish there were no empty tables and one older couple on being told by the waiter very apologetically that there were no tables and he didn't know how long and would they like to sit at a table outside (fairly decent day) and have a coffee or something till one became available.
But no they decided to stand there in the doorway and gawp round the room assessing how far on everyone was with their meal/drink, including pointing when someone made any sort of move to go to the toilet or whatever. They seemed to be discussing a lady sat in a corner at a table alone reading a paper whilst having her drink /food and the fact she was sat on her own with 'three empty seats' but then decided against it and left.
They came back again five minutes or so later and did the same causing a draught routine again and were again politely told there were still no tables but insisted on waiting again in the doorway. After a few minutes they went over to the lady in the corner and I heard the man say 'Can we sit here , or are you one of these people funny about sharing a table?' They said this as they were pulling the chairs out obviously going for it whatever her response. I think she was too gobsmacked to say anything tbh but didn't seem happy and left soon after.
My DD and I were both a bit and said we would never intrude on someones quiet time in this way unless it was a long table meant for more than one group and even then would sit at far end. Obviously the water/proprietor didn't want them too as he repeatedly told them 'sorry no tables'. So what do you all think ? We felt it was quiet intrusive and that many people go into a café to have a quiet chill on their own or a private conversation with a friend/family member , not to socialise with strangers (they had proceeded to make small talk with her btw , resulting in her closing her book.)

Exactly,cafe not private member club
Cafe with cramped environ.but. Happy to accept patrons to that cramped area

Satan - naice cafés don't serve butties - you should know that

ScottishMummy - OP hasn't been back for a while, you are the one who appears to be missing the pint - the café had not yet accepted the couple as patrons, and those patrons had not yet parted with any cash, therefore, were not yet entitled to a table.

The couple were rude in their approach. However

The waiter was being U.
At busy times staff should direct all customers to the best tables for the benefit of the business.

A single patron or a couple should be directed to the outdoor space if the weather was fair, which would free up the cramped indoor space with 4 chairs per table for maximum use.

It's also U to expect a busy and cramped cafe to lose 2 or 3 chairs for every table space.

The waiter had turned away their custom because their were no tables free JamHats, The couple then barged in and insisted on sharing a table with someone else when the cafe hadn't taken any money or invited their custom. What is 'misleading' about that?

Summerbreezing thats your opinion, which is fine. I said the couple could have been more polite as from what was said I think they just wanted to get off their feet, I don't think they were on a customer terrorizing mission.

Maybe its just me but if I were at a table and there was plenty of room plus spare chairs, I wouldn't mind if an elderly couple wanted to sit down. Although if they'd come with the 'are you one of those funny people comment' Id either have told them off or made a funny remark depending on my mood I suppose. I doubt Id be in there anyway, cafes that rammed don't appeal to me

And the cafe had accepted couple as patrons

No they hadn't. They'd been asked to wait if they wanted a table.

Scottish any chance you would explain why a cafe that turned the customers away were 'inviting their custom'??????????

Missing the point (not pint) - sorry

To the people saying 'you have no right to privacy in a public place like a cafe': This is very true, however you also have the right to not be forced into unwanted conversation. I have shared tables with people many times, and after a brief 'do you mind if I sit here', there is no more conversation. Just because your coffee cups are sharing table space it doesn't mean you are now friends.

All this 'waiter service' bollocks is a bit misleading

It isn't at all misleading. It's pertinent in terms of the procedure for being seated.

Agreed, pipbin

I agree Jamhats that the waiters should have been more forceful in not allowing the customers past the waiting point. But that doesn't excuse the customers' rudeness.

Sounds as if they may as well put up a 'full' sign/board outside. Less hassle all round

No, it's not misleading at all - if you are asked to wait, then that is what you should do.
If I am a customer at a "Wait to be Seated" table then that table is mine for the duration. If someone unexpectedly joins me, I would be extremely miffed, to say the least!!

Oh and there's nothing 'misleading' about the waiter telling the customers that there were no tables available. That was a fairly clear statement that most non-ignorant self absorbed people would understand.

All this 'waiter service' bollocks is a bit misleading

Go to Stafford and visit the Soup Kitchen. It is just a cafe really but you are met at the door by staff who will take you to a table and it is table service from there on in. It's huge and I've never known them to be full but they would turn you away, or ask you to wait, if they were.

I have asked if I can share a table, especially if there is someone on their own with a large table.

I probably wouldn't do it if I had all the kids with me, as they are a bit too much to inflict on someone.

And I wouldn't have the slightest problem if someone asked to share with me. It wouldn't occur to me to be bothered. Certainly not in a casual cafe setting.

A friend of mine won't go to Wagamama because he can't bear the thought of having to share a table. Ridiculous.

Mistress I have often gone to cafes and restaurants and been told they're full and there won't be a table available for xxx minutes. I don't need a sign at the door or a bouncer jumping in front of me to stop me annoying other customers.

I'm sure they did FurryJamHats. As I said, ignorant, rude, self absorbed and ignoring the cafe's policy.

Dear Satan - Precious Flowers did not dictate who sat next to her, she simply paid her money for her meal and drink and expected some private space in a café that promised it. She dictated nothing, she expressed a wish, which had been promised, but not fulfilled.

They were wrong. And if someone asks if they can sit at my small table, I always say no.