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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To save a table for my friends at the pub?

46 replies

Cuppaand2biscuits · 30/10/2016 20:55

Last night we went to a children's Halloween party at a local pub. I had arranged to meet several friends there so I made sure I got there early to claim us a table. While waiting for my friends to arrive several people tried to sit down with us and I asked them not to because I was waiting for my friends to join me.
People were not at all.happy with me and even one of the friends I saved a seat for said it was selfish as it should be first come first served.
AIBU?

OP posts:
IminaPickle · 30/10/2016 20:55

Yep Wink

microsnake · 30/10/2016 20:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lovelybangers · 30/10/2016 20:56

Of course you can save a table.

YANBU

legotits · 30/10/2016 20:57

Oh yes.

Very.

You need to buy a round.

Trifleorbust · 30/10/2016 20:58

I don't think anyone should join you at your table without being invited, especially if you are waiting for friends. YANBU

ScarletOverkill · 30/10/2016 20:59

You say you got there early so how long were you hogging the table for before they got there?

PikachuSayBoo · 30/10/2016 21:01

So were people having to stand even though your friends weren't there?

I guess if they were five mins away then it's ok but not if they're half an hour away.

Original poster
Cuppaand2biscuits · 30/10/2016 21:02

It started at 6, I walked through the door at 5.55 pm. My friends arrived about 6.10pm because there was quite a queue by then because it was a ticket thing so tickets were being checked on the door.

OP posts:
Bagina · 30/10/2016 21:02

You were sat there so it was your table. It's not like you left loads of coats on it and buggered off. Other people can ask if the seats are spare, but on this occasion they weren't. YWNBU.

legotits · 30/10/2016 21:02

The clue is in the name.

Pub-public house
Your house-not public

Save seats at home or hire a room.

Original poster
Cuppaand2biscuits · 30/10/2016 21:03

My friends were in the queue and I did say that. Sorry, my friends will be joining me, they're just in the queue.

OP posts:
PikachuSayBoo · 30/10/2016 21:04

Ok, so 15 mins and for ten mins they were outside in a queue. To be honest that sounds ok to me.

Celticlassie · 30/10/2016 21:04

Absolutely fine. Fair enough if it had been an hour or so but you are well within your rights to save a table for 15 minutes or so.

Bagina · 30/10/2016 21:04

You were fine. She could've been in the loo or at the bar.

Sirzy · 30/10/2016 21:04

It depends, saving 3 or 4 spaces at a table is one thing, saving 8 spaces is wrong!

Hassled · 30/10/2016 21:04

Oh for 15 minutes I think that's fair enough. I thought you were going to say you'd saved the table for an hour or so.

WaxingNinja · 30/10/2016 21:05

Ticketed event.

Queueing to get in.

First in gets a seat, not first in gets to reserve a whole table and a bunch of seats.

YABU.

GladAllOver · 30/10/2016 21:05

Next time, buy a round of drinks and put them round the table.

LineyReborn · 30/10/2016 21:05

If they were in the queue to get in, fair enough.

ThePinkOcelot · 30/10/2016 21:06

Sounds fine to me. I would have done the same.

usual · 30/10/2016 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bagina · 30/10/2016 21:10

Not much of a night with friends, sat at opposite ends of the pub...

Saving a table is normal.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 30/10/2016 21:12

YNBU. However neither were they. If someone stopped me from sitting down I'd give them that The
"Has it got your name on it " 'look'.
They don't understand that you're waiting for someone. All they see is some randomer barking out orders.
Perhaps it may be better to book and get the restaurant to reserve the tables for you next time

Sugarlightly · 30/10/2016 21:12

Saving 1 or 2 seats is fine but it's pretty ridiculous for any more, especially when the place is busy.

Original poster
Cuppaand2biscuits · 30/10/2016 21:12

There were 8 adults and I saved us 5 seats which was fine because we were up and down with kids anyway but the kids all ate there so wanted somewhere for them to sit and eat.

OP posts: