To ask someone to sit at a table while I'm in a queue?

[DedicationToSparkleMotion]

I had no idea this is apparently rude?

Today while in a cafe queue I said to DH "go and get a seat while I pay". He looked horrified said I was effectively "pushing in front" of those queueing in front of us and we shouldn't sit until we had ordered and paid.

I don't really agree and think everyone does this if they are in a group (after all if a family of five go in are they all going to stand in a queue together? What if everyone did this, the queue area would be overrun?!) and it's neither polite nor impolite, but he was insistent.

Who was BU?

My, how the (illegitimately reserved) tables have turned...

McDonald's in the 80s you couldn't sit down until you had food

Nonsense. Of course you could. Us teenagers used to do so and weren't prevented. Not much good for vegans, though

I remember the signs in McDonalds too, our local one had a sign asking you to purchase food before sitting down during busy periods, until fairly recently.

They are franchises, it's not 'nonsense' because you recall that the particular one near you didn't.

Only on Mumsnet have I ever seen people saying getting a table before getting food is rude

No, there weren't instructional signs in McDonalds or anywhere else, other posters also cannot recall them, presumably we live i different areas. I haven't been into a McDonalds, probably since the early 90s in any case

Table reservation, by other members of a party/family was as common then as it is now. Hence the number of people coming onto the thread not knowing it was a 'thing'

The majority on the thread don't think so, Bridget! Worry not.

My God, of COURSE you blag a table before you order. What's the point of getting food and then having nowhere to sit?? If everyone waited then there'd be no tables anyway. I cannot understand how or why this is rude????

we have an independent coffee shop that has a sign to ask people not to reserve tables before buying food.

So you have instructional signs in your cafe asking people not to reserve tables. Do they all go up to order together then, I don't suppose they have much choice? That doesn't sound very pleasant.

Thankfully other people not on mumsnet find it impolite too

www.quora.com/Is-it-rude-to-reserve-a-seat-before-ordering-in-a-coffee-shop

If everyone waited then there'd be no tables anyway.

No. This is about self-service type cafes, places nobody lingers. Let's say people typically sit and eat for maybe 20 minutes. So every table is free after 20 minutes. If there is a hogger reserving a foodless table for 10 minutes, is then joined by food and eats for 20 minutes, each table is free after 30 minutes. A cafe of the same size needs a third more tables to accommodate the hoggers.

You are scraping the barrel there, Badgerfriend. For those who don't want to click on the link it's an opinion posted on Quora (whatever that is) There are 10 replies. Exactly half of them disagree that it is rude

You are really bothered about this aren't you?! .
I am pleased to see that your manners (or lack of) in responding tally exactly with your table reserving behaviour.

Not the sort of person that is polite generally...

But is wasn't for your frothing rage, it was for all those gasping that they never had heard of such a question outside of mumsnet.

Oh look, two seconds of googling brings it up outside of mumsnet

Nothing else from Quora? What a shame, Badgerfriend.

Not a bit bothered, this thread has been comedy gold, if you've bothered to read it. I've enjoyed it immensely. Not to be taken seriously

Oh no, how wounding about my manners . Perhaps you might lend me your Hyacinth Bucket of etiquette (very faux ) so I might improve them.

That should be book* of etiquette!

Way to diffuse the tension, reuset!

How many times a day do you type "Hyacinth Bucket" for that to be the first thing your phone comes up with?? Do you know Hyacinth Bucket? Are you Hyacinth Bucket??

Never. I'm not a big mobile phone user. Strange question. My previous post wasn't addressing you in any case

Our local Mcdonalds had signs up

Why would you risk ordering food if you have no where to sit? Even if everyone queued then sat there's still no guarantee that you will have somewhere to sit so now you're stood there with food deceasing in temperature.
Come in, sit down, read menu, one go order. If alone leave book on table and go order. Only at places like McD's would I not leave a book etc on the tablet as you're waiting too long and someone will steal it. Thankfully they've brought in waiter service now

But there is no risk! There is only a hogger or a book or coat "sitting" there! You join the hogger, or, better still, the random item left to reserve a table not yet needed.

I'm not a big mobile phone user.

Ah, I see - I thought you'd typed 'book' and instead got 'Hyacinth Bucket'...but you know I inhabit a strange parallel universe anyway...

Our m&s is hard as nails over this which is why I like it.
I think being grabby in life is grim and telling. Sad that basic decency and courtesy to others needs to be enforced rigidly but it does
Kidding yourself that this only affects mn or that your actions are wise not selfish is ridiculous. You are putting yourself and your needs above those in front of you in the queue. Grabby...shudder

Just to add, but I have no problem with people sharing my table. Just ask the person if they are on their own if you can use their table as well.

Most people make sure they have a table first. It's common sense. I wouldn't take the children and shopping to queue with me to get served. I'd have to hope I found a table afterwards, then make another trip back to the counter for the food and drinks because I can't manage it with my shopping bags and children.

Yanbu.