Today I experiencing the coffee shop dilemma which is always discussed on here

[sharonthewaspandthewineywall]

Went to costa. In the queue on my own. Looking around, several free tables, other parties join queue and one member grabs table. As I'd paid for my drink the one vacant table I was banking on was swiped by someone who's friend was at the back of the queue.
Man I was pissed off. And the first thing I thought of was this place!

Loria.

Sharing tables works too. There are always free chairs even if there are no completely free tables.

It's not the same as in a bar. There's not quite the same expectation of getting a seat in a bar and it's perfectly possible to stand with a drink. You can't do that in a cafe.
Bagging a table before you get your food is QUEUE JUMPING and nothing else. If nobody did it, every one would get a table when they needed one.

The pubs with the numbered tables-that works well. Get table then order food as per the instructions.

The thing is OP, I think everyone is entitled to a table when they're buying something to eat/drink.

So making sure you have one before you queue, is also an entitlement.

I just don't see why some people think it isn't.

Instead of a lot of Mumsnetters getting annoyed at people who have the foresight to secure somewhere to sit, I think they should take a leaf out of their book and then there would be no more angst.

It's not rocket science

"It's not the same as in a bar. There's not quite the same expectation of getting a seat in a bar and it's perfectly possible to stand with a drink. You can't do that in a cafe.
Bagging a table before you get your food is QUEUE JUMPING and nothing else. If nobody did it, every one would get a table when they needed one."

It boggles the mind how this is a major issue for you. I live and work in London, and travel through the busiest airports in the world, on my own. And I've never experienced this problem. If there is no completely free table, you find a seat free at a table where it doesn't look like the people there are having a business meeting or romantic chat, and sit down.

If you want a table reservation, go to a restaurant. If you want a bubble of solitude, find somewhere which isn't the McDonalds of the coffee world.

Worra, I used to often go shopping on my own. Without leaving my belongings vulnerable to theft (not an issue if in a group), how exactly would I do that?
It's selfish, rude and unnecessary.

I wouldn't like to sit at a table with strangers so I don't hang around if it looks like that would be the case.

And if you dont have a coat to put on an unattended table, would you really leave your bag there out of view while you queue up.

I totally understand families bagging a table, after all they all want to sit together and it makes sense not to have young children in the queue etc, point is it's very tough on a single person.

Very miffed to have my chocolate drink standing up in a corner when there were three empty tables when I started queuing. Not happy leaving my bag unattended.

MsHighwater it wouldn't be 'queue jumping' if everyone had the common sense to make sure they had somewhere to sit and eat what they were actually queuing to buy, before they decided to queue.

It's like buying someone a lawnmower without checking they actually have a lawn to mow.

I think everywhere should have a system like Betty's where you queue for a table before placing an order, then no one ends up stuck. They have table service at Betty's too but it is fabulously swift. Much better than counter service and clearly works for them.

There's a few cafes round here that do waitress service. Sooo much better and less room for faux pas.

Worra, I used to often go shopping on my own. Without leaving my belongings vulnerable to theft (not an issue if in a group), how exactly would I do that?

Like I said earlier - cheap coats

Or as is the norm in real my life, you simply ask the person on the next table to keep an eye on your cardigan/carrier bag/whatever you're using to secure your seat.

This is seriously only a 'thing' on Mumsnet

Agreed Meringue. We really need some sort of system where we queue for tables. And if the man with the shaved head and bulging biceps decides [you are][the girl you are with is] pretty enough, you can pass the velvet rope to pay the cover charge before getting your coffee.

Me, my great auntie Isa, my 6 kids, the nanny, the dog and the hamster called Richard all stand in the queue when we order, no matter how busy the cafe is - because it is just the right thing to do.

Ramanoop, bully for you. When the baggers are at work, you tend to find that the empty seats are "being kept" for people. That's sort of how this works, you know. It sure feels like "a bubble of solitude" to be standing with laden tray, looking for somewhere to sit with the ignorant sods hogging tables looking everywhere but at you.

Why must it be "a big issue" for me? Does that method of ridiculing an opposing view usually work for you?

So. A group of 4 or so - maybe a pram, bags, coats and umbrellas. You're suggesting they all stand in the queue? For a coffee each? Madness. Oh, or maybe they could all clog up the entrance/cafe together, waiting for the nominated drinks purchaser to be served?

Of course you go and sit down ffs. It's not a conspiracy to piss you off you know, it's common sense!

Of course some people keep seats. But it really must take staggering levels of social awkwardness and/or ineptitude to be unable to find one, if you joined the queue with the reasonable expectation that an entire table would be available for your use.

I have an idea. All those of you who are so insistent on getting a table that you'll queue jump to make sure you get one should restrict yourselves to the places that have table service. That way, the rest of us - including those who can't afford throwaway clothing - can enjoy the lower costs of the other places.

I always feel that people who bag tables haven't yet reached that final stage of enlightenment. They are somehow incomplete. They remind me of school children saving a seat for their bestie. - quite embarrassing if you are a middle aged man/woman.

I'd say that there are far more baggers than harrumphing fools who insist on buying food and drink when it is dodgy whether there will be a table for them.

Harrumph away while the baggers bag the tables and enjoy their fare.

I always feel the martyrs who refuse to do something as sensible as ensuring they have somewhere to consume what they're buying, haven't yet reached the final stage of normality and probably never will

But thankfully, this is only a problem on Mumsnet.

Meanwhile in the real world most people are happy to keep an eye on your cardigan/carrier bag....

I guess it's probably a sad fact of life that for the sole person things are made difficult.

Yes, I've seen solitary people queuing up with at least four spare tables. All bagged while said person in queue and by the time they're served nowhere to sit at all. Let's all buy cheap clothing just in case it gets stolen or have the foresight to remember in advance that today we need the cheap jacket just in case fancy a coffee.

I see both sides of the argument and agree families should not cause mayhem in queues with everyone there. Its just tough on the sole person, that's all. Fact of life.

Worry, you are just not getting it. Why should I entrust my property to a random stranger to compensate for your (or anyone's) rudeness? You and other table hoggers are responsible for preventing me and other lone shoppers from having the same opportunity as those in groups to get a table without throwing ourselves on the mercy of strangers - who are probably table hoggers! If you are prepared to jump a queue, why should I trust your honesty?

I never drink coffee at a coffee shop so here to learn