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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

You grab a table while I queue up....

313 replies

Grandshiredoubles · 14/02/2015 23:24

Which means that some people before you can't get anywhere to sit. Happened today in Waitrose where the naice people should kmow better. Do you think people should wait until they have their food before getting a table or Aibu. Talking about YOU lady with the red shoes in malvern today

OP posts:
Mehitabel6 · 15/02/2015 15:48

I was a single mother with a DS. I found a table, got him organised in a high chair where I could see him and then went to the counter. The same when I was in my own with 2 small children- find them seats, leave the bags and queue. Much safer all round.
If I go as a single person I go for the coffee or lunch and the table doesn't matter- any space will do. If I go as a couple or with a friend then it is sociable and the table matters- it is the priority.

Mehitabel6 · 15/02/2015 15:49

I am not in the least 'smug' -I use common sense and wish that everyone else did- especially anyone with a child.

pictish · 15/02/2015 16:10

Mia I'm not sitting there smugly either. I'm just getting on with my day.

unlucky83 · 15/02/2015 16:20

You see I also have (slight) issues with people leaving one person in the queue ordering for 5 or 6 ...
If you are behind them in the queue you think there's one person in front of me -not there are 6 people in front of me.
If you were short of time you might skip it or go somewhere else if you knew you were going to have wait for them to prepare 6 of everything...especially when there are a few more people doing the same thing in front of you ...guess a bit like checking how much people have in their trolley at a supermarket...you might join a queue with 3 people in it because they only have a few items each - as opposed to one person but with a massive family of 10 sized shop...and you'd be rightly annoyed if someone came along with the family sized trolley to join someone with a basket ...
(Although in the supermarket I try and choose a till where there is a small queue and you have time to empty your trolley before they start scanning it through ...I like packing my own bags - I have a system and I hate it when they have people directing you to an empty till...)
Place I find this most annoying is places like MacDonalds & Burger King (don't go often) where they have several queues and you join the one with one person who is ordering for 12...(worse when they 'direct' you there) so wait whilst everyone who came after you not only has their food but has eaten it and left...

Mehitabel6 · 15/02/2015 16:22

Just look around at how many people are sitting without food or drink and it will tell you whether it is worth queuing!

unlucky83 · 15/02/2015 16:24

But they might be behind me....

Mehitabel6 · 15/02/2015 16:29

You make the decision as you walk in- queue + those at tables without refreshments.
I make instant decisions in Waitrose as to whether to bother with the free coffee.

TwoLittleTerrors · 15/02/2015 16:41

I have cake in waitrose often. There is no way I would queue with DD1 and a pushchair without a table first. I usually settle DD1 at a table, leave the pushchair with DD1, then buy my cake and coffee. How on earth am I supposed to carry a tray, push a pushchair and hold a preschoolers hand?

Mehitabel6 · 15/02/2015 16:46

Be assured that most customers are very relieved that you use your common sense TwoLittleTerrors.

pictish · 15/02/2015 16:53

Indeed. This idea that you wait until you have your food before making a move to find a table, just doesn't work.

Andrewofgg · 15/02/2015 16:56

On my own I will always put something on a chair if it is busy - but on the other hand I don't linger too long when I am done if others are waiting. Which I think is fair.

Mehitabel6 · 15/02/2015 17:00

If I am on my own I would just move a coat in a chair!

Mehitabel6 · 15/02/2015 17:01

Which is why I wouldn't put my coat on a chair.

TrickyKid · 15/02/2015 17:31

YANBU I asked someone to move once, I was walking round with a tray of food and trying to keep hold of two toddlers.I asked one of the many people sat saving a table if we could sit down as we already had our food, she wasn't happy but did move. All the posters saying they don't want to get food if there's no where to sit.....Its because of selfish people like you that there's no where to sit!!!

RufusTheReindeer · 15/02/2015 17:33

If I've nipped off for a wee before having my 2nd coffee I don't think I would be very happy with some one moving my coat!!

Likewise I wouldn't be happy if I was queuing for my 2nd cup and saw you moving my coat

flipchart · 15/02/2015 17:49

How often are some of you going to cafes with little kids for this to become an issue to get wound up about?

When mine were small I would never even think of going to a cafe if I'd gone into town. It seemed such a waste of money when I had coffee and cakes at home and that was only a bus ride away.

I'd go to cafes when I was on holiday with them but that was only two weeks a year back then so it wasn't worth getting wound up.

These days going to a cafe or coffee shop when you've just nipped out to buy some socks seems the norm!

flipchart · 15/02/2015 17:56

mehit like some said how the hell do you know if someone hasn't gone to the loo or ordering something else! Bloody hell, I would really call you on it loudly if I saw you touch my personal stuff. Nobody does that!
What an idiot!

hazeyjane · 15/02/2015 18:13

It really winds me up, but I have realised from previous threads that I am in the minority! So I just suck it up.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 15/02/2015 18:14

You should do it if it's the norm in the place where you are.
You shouldn't if there are signs asking you not to.
Any more than you should sit waiting for waitress service in a place where you order at the bar! You should do what the rule is where you are.
Easy.

Branleuse · 15/02/2015 18:18

do people REALLY give a fuck about this?? wow.

what if youd got your food and then there was no table?

If youre planning on eating there, then what diff does it make.

flipchart · 15/02/2015 18:20

Thinking about it, I've been to cafe and they have asked me where I am sitting and I've pointed over to 'my' table and they've said they'll bring it across when it's ready.

I'd look a right gork if I was just stood there hovering.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 15/02/2015 18:30

Until this thread I never knew this was a thing. I thought we were being smart, finding a table first. Now I find out we were being rude too. Blush

Topseyt · 15/02/2015 18:30

I would never even contemplate moving someone else's coat or other personal belongings from a chair. If they came back and then decided something was missing from their stuff I wouldn't want to have been the last person seen handling it.

If I am on my own I generally don't go and reserve a table before queuing, because seating for one is less of a problem. If I am with my daughters and/or husband one stays in the queue while the rest go and try to sort out a table. That is the way we have always done it, and always will.

TwoLittleTerrors · 15/02/2015 18:42

flipchart I go once a week to a waitrose cafe with DDs. They are 3yo and a baby. I get a free coffee and cake, DD1 gets a cake and water. Otherwise I would also go if I'm in town with DD2 in pushchair. I never go to the pret there as I never could find a table which I can park a pushchair.

And I won't move other people's belongings. That's rude really. Just two weeks ago I have to take DD1 to the toilet leaving all our stuff behind. All I could take is baby in hand, my wallet and phone.

TwoLittleTerrors · 15/02/2015 18:44

I mean the waitrose cafe is really cheap compared to the likes of costa. I usually spent under £3 there. Pretty decent for two cakes and a coffee.