Business meeting in Waitrose cafe

[whoneedswings]

I'm currently sat in Waitrose cafe enjoying my free coffee with my 6 month old (I find it useful to feed him here whilst we're out shopping.) It's very busy so I've plonked myself on a chair on the edge of someone's table. Done this many times, just finding a bit awkward today as these people are discussing private financial matters and conducting some sort of meeting. They don't even have any coffee or food (so I'm not rushing them) just feel maybe it's a bit U to be continuing their business in a very small busy cafe. Or is it me?

[Backt0Black]

No. But she did want them to change their conversation.

[LucklessMonster]

Oh it must be a year since that huge thread on sharing tables! I'm glad this one is largely on the side of it being rude.

[GahBuggerit]

Gasp you forgot to add

"AND THEREFORE THIS IS A TOTAL NON EVENT"

[mambono5]

It makes no difference if you seat in the middle or at the end of someone else table Sidge . You are still interrupting and make it hard for someone to tell you to go away.

[RhodaBorrocks]

Maybe they were Waitrose area managers/specialists/general managers convening in that store for a meeting. Used to happen a lot when I worked for Tesco. Often groups would turn up unannounced and the meeting room wasn't free for them to use.

This. Happens with the regional managers at DSis place of work.

Hell I'm in the NHS and meeting rooms are at a premium - I've met people in McDonald's, Nero, the on site restaurant where staff, patients and visitors sit and eat. It's really not that uncommon.

I don't think they were U at all.

[DownHereInTheHorridHouse]

I often meet potential clients in the Ikea café - in case they're serial killers. Is that wrong?

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Here are all the OP's posts in one place.

I'm currently sat in Waitrose cafe enjoying my free coffee with my 6 month old (I find it useful to feed him here whilst we're out shopping.) It's very busy so I've plonked myself on a chair on the edge of someone's table. Done this many times, just finding a bit awkward today as these people are discussing private financial matters and conducting some sort of meeting. They don't even have any coffee or food (so I'm not rushing them) just feel maybe it's a bit U to be continuing their business in a very small busy cafe. Or is it me?

Well it was either I sat here or I returned my coffee and left. So was I rude to stay once I'd got my coffee? I was just wondering what the cut off point was, they obviously must of had coffees which they have now finished and been cleared away, so I'm guessing they've been here quite a while. I just don't feel very relaxed, sitting with people just having a normal conversation doesn't feel as awkward somehow

BF, no pushchair, and yes I bought food because you have to to have the free coffee. I did ask their permission before I sat down. So I'm not allowed to enjoy the cafe and use a free seat because they're having a protracted business meeting? Obviously some of you agree with me, some don't. Cest le vie grin

Yeah I'm not sure what I think as it's a public cafe that's why I was asking the question!

I guess the point is more that the cafe is busy and they're taking away seats from other customers? But maybe not?

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

It makes no difference if you seat in the middle or at the end of someone else table Sidge . You are still interrupting and make it hard for someone to tell you to go away.

mambono5, really? Really? What should the OP have done then - stood by the wall? Perched on the loo?

There was a free seat at a table where other customers had finished eating and drinking (assuming they had had something to start with). OP had every right in the world to sit down there, given that there were no other seats available at all.

GahBuggerit, agreed! I am, of course, procrastinating, so this is useful from that point of view. Back to the grind now, though.

[Butterymuffin]

Same rules apply to big groups whether they're mothers or businesspeople IMO. Buy enough stuff to justify taking up a table, not one tiny drink for a two hour stay. Don't be too noisy or talk loudly about people's private business. Otherwise crack on.

[BathshebaKnickerStickers]

I'm waiting for my mental health support worker in Starbucks at the moment - we meet here every fortnight. I have my latte here and I finished my sandwich. Should I apologise to the lady at the next table in case she hears that I've had a good fortnight and I've displayed superhuman patience

[mambono5]

What should the OP have done then - stood by the wall? Perched on the loo?

Either wait until a table is free, or go to another cafe. Doesn't everybody? clearly not, but I am discovering new attitudes everyday

[scottishdiem]

When DP and I are in a cafe and there is a spare seat we let people sit there if asked because its a nice thing to do. If people just came up and plonked themselves I would be miffed as they dont know if people are joining you or not. Its remarkable that people think a seat is a right. Check if its busy before ordering.

With regards to meetings I have had hundreds in cafes, restaurants, on trains and in bus stations. I have had people work for me part time and from home so these were venues that suited both parties (although disciplinaries are held in booked offices). And sometimes we had to go elsewhere cause it was busy.

The idea that they should move cause their plates have been cleared away is a good one. I would like more seating options when the yummy mummies come out to play and take up seats for three hours whilst sipping hot soya milk. This goes two ways people.

OP, no cafe or restaurant is 100% full cause people don't take up all the seats. I think it was ok to sit there but to complain about what they were talking about is remarkably rude.

[scottishdiem]

clearly not, but I am discovering new attitudes everyday

Tell me about it. MN is a great place to learn where humanity has been and is going.

[Sidge]

It makes no difference if you seat in the middle or at the end of someone else table Sidge . You are still interrupting and make it hard for someone to tell you to go away.

Of course it makes a difference.

Imagine a rectangular table for 6 people with just 2 people sat opposite each other on one end. If I choose to sit at the other end there are 2/3 empty seats between us. Not remotely interrupting. If a couple sit at a larger table with unoccupied seats then they need to be prepared to share.

Backt0Black she never said anything about wanting them to change their conversation! She said she felt awkward.

This is the weirdest thread. I think some posters are reading a different thread to me

[Iggi999]

Yeah of course people who have already got their food will just "go to another cafe"!! Bollocks. The self service system does of course give rise to that other mumsnet favourite, the sitting down to reserve a table dilemma.

[KatyBerry]

OP asked perfectly nicely to join their table, they said it was fine. No harm


The galloping entitlement comes in as a result of OP thinking that the original occupiers of the table were in some way unreasonable for conducting their appointment at teh table which they had got to before her. The suggestion that they are "being U for conducting their business in a very small busy cafe" is what tips this over the edge of reason. No issue in the table sharing - she asked, they agreed. They did not agree conditionally on the basis of what conversations might be appropriate and whether they minded her getting her lils out in the middle of their meeting. I wonder if they're on travellingsalesmen.com complaining about someone who they'd let sit at their table start breastfeeding in the middle of their meeting? (somethign we've recently established on another AIBU is deeply inappropriate)

[Backt0Black]

Exactly katyBerry

OP - why didnt you scream this is a 'Naice Cafe' 'Niace conversations ONLY'

[mambono5]

Iggi999 who gets their food until they have a table? How bizarre. It's even worst when you have a baby, in or out buggy, because you don't even have 2 free hands.

If I am sitting at a table having a private - or business -discussion with someone, and a stranger asks to sit down, I would be too shocked to say no stupidly but would be unable to carry on our conversation because of the intruder. It's just plain rude.

[Katy07]

If I am sitting at a table having a private - or business -discussion with someone, and a stranger asks to sit down, I would be too shocked to say no stupidly but would be unable to carry on our conversation because of the intruder. It's just plain rude.
Ditto.

[CripsSandwiches]

KatyBerry

Nailed it. If they were watching porn or violent videos on their laptops OP would have a right to complain but having a financial conversation risks only their own privacy - if they don't have a problem with not sure why anyone else would.

Kind of shocked that people expect to be able to have private conversations in busy cafes though. Surely you don't expect to sit there all afternoon after buying a single coffee and have no one overhear you. Just meet up at home if it's so private.

[derxa]

Why didn't you budge up a bit OP and then you could have heard their conversation more clearly.

[KatyBerry]

katy and mam have you ever been to a Wagamama / japanese noodle bar? I suspect it might tip you over the edge. It's frequentlyone long shared table and you get no say at all in who sits next to you or what conversations they might indulge in...

[Iggi999]

Mambono what is bizarre is that you aren't aware there are different systems in different cafes. Either that or you are clearly one of the table-hoggers I referred to earlier!

[mambono5]

Iggi999

I am just lucky that no one ever interrupted my conversation to join my table so it's all new to me

I have been to restaurants where you are sharing tables, there''s actually a lovely little one in the city, serving home-style food to "suits". It's very funny, but you know what to expect when you go there. There are hardly any women to be fair.

Completely different scenario than someone jumping on your table because they can't be bothered to wait their turn, whilst you have waited patiently for yours.