Table numbers

[FinallyHere]

Am I the only person to hate being asked 'what table number' when I have ordered food? No problem, If I am with at least one other person, who can site at the table while I order. On my own, there is a potential problem: I see a favourite table is free, give that number and by the time I have ordered and go back to the table, someone else is sitting there.

I really don't mind sharing but if 'they' are using all the chairs what do I do?

So much prefer being given a number when I order. Why organise it any other way?

Because you can't have an endlessly shifting table? They are numbered so they can be located - table 22 is the one on the right hand side underneath the window, for example - by staff, not just so you know it's your order coming out.

I see your problem, though - put a coat, jumper on the chair?

Just put a coat, bag on it, easy. Bring your purse and phone with you

There is a thought: I could carry a piece of paper saying 'reserved'

"I dont mind sharing" err I'm pretty sure they would mind you sitting down with them! You dont need to overthink this, just put something on the table or chair. If you put a reserved sign you'll just look weird.

If you're confident, you could ask someone at the next table to save it for you. I wouldn't mind at all if someone asked me to do this (but I wouldn't be confident enough to ask myself, so I can understand if you wouldn't be).

YABU. Put something on the table while you go up: if you don't want to leave your coat, then a newspaper, a notepad, an umbrella (I'm trying to think of things I carry around). It's not difficult.

Just put your coat, umbrella, book on it.

I'm loath to advertise Wetherspoons, but with their app, you can order from the table.

In fact last time I was with friends at a 'spoons, I managed to use their WiFi to download, install and configure the app; order, and have my food delivered before people who had ordered at the bar....

I just leave my coat or bag there are take my purse with me

It's so the staff know where to bring your food to. If you're ordering at the bar, the waiter/waitress who will bring out your food has no idea who you are or where you're sitting. They need that table number to find you.

As others have suggested, it's best to leave your coat at the table to save the space.

I don’t think it’s usual practice to have to say table numbers. Don’t the waiters just write it down?

Waiters in Wetherspoons?! They must be posher round your way than they are here.

Waiters in Wetherspoons?! They must be posher round your way than they are here.

Not in the traditional sense of the word. But when you order at "spoons", your meal is bought to your table. Which has a number.

Also free coffee refills (subject to conditions) which is a terribly unBritish thing to do.

I just leave my coat and bag, and take my phone and purse to order. Never given it a thought until now when I read this thread!

@DGRossetti sorry my comment was to CherryPavlova who said the waiter would write the table number down (presumably when they come to the table to take the order). Even here we're posh enough that we get the food we ordered at the bar brought to the table.

I prefer when you give the table number because your food then comes straight to the table instead of being paraded round the cafe/bar three times, out to the beer garden, probably through the toilets just in case, before the food deliverer finally spots the wooden spoon on my table.

Thanks all, it seems it is only me finding the numbered tables system sub optimal. I appreciate that it will be more convenient for the people delivering to the tables and no issue for people eating in groups.

It appears that the way forward is to have something I can leave on the table to indicate that it is occupied ... or use places where my order is taken at the table.