To think we shouldn't have been questioned about our method of transport

[Johnmenses]

I'd booked a meal tonight in a tier 2 restaurant. One bubble. This was clarified when I'd phoned earlier in week.

We arrived in 4 cars for various reasons.

The Front of house politely questioned how we could come 4 cars and still be in one bubble.

I have utmost of respect for the work hospitality staff do (I work similarly) but it's not their role to police our journeys.

AIBU?

Its also rude to take up 4 parking spaces for 1 group of people.
OP is dodging the question so I think she is a piss taker and didn't like being caught out.

Ah yes I can see how it could have more adults than 3 so I stand corrected, thank you

I'm confused what kind of set up would lead to the staff knowing how many cars you came in

Perfectly reasonable to enquire politely. Just as you would if you doubted age and were serving alcohol.

multi generational home? Coming from work? & one single person bubble?
or
shared house flat mates?
Mind op with covid escalating like this & them risking massive fine be reasonable
Anybody remember all those selfish twerps who gave wrong addresses to the restaurants?

If they'd all come from work the OP would have said that, that's why people are asking because if it was a legit reason she would have said.

I would be pissed off that they are watching the car park and counting the cars, seriously what business has the time to do this? How the hell are we going to carry on with our lives any more? Ridiculous!

So many nosey people, op has said she understands now, but everyone still wants to no why she came in 4 cars

How did you know the next table occupants weren't from one household?

YANBU

madness. people need and have to have trust

In any event, aren't we allowed to have business meetings in pubs? (therefore 4 to 6 different people?)

If they'd all come from work the OP would have said that She probably couldn't be bothered to say "A was on their way home from work, B had been delivering something in the next town, C had had a hospital appointment and it ended so late there wasn't time to drive home so she went straight to the restaurant, and D who was in a bubble with them because she lives alone lived in the opposite direction from the restaurant so she met us there instead of coming to our house and sharing a car"

Rather amusing that a poster coming on to query the questioning she got fro the restaurant staff is now getting the same questioning from mumsnet.

Hiya, sorry was occupied elsewhere.

To fill you all in.

Place is a strange set up massive car park (no space hogging from Menses crew)

Member of staff at front of building greeting people

Out in countryside at least a mile done NSL from nearest public transport.

About 5 Miles from our home very close to a County border.

The only availability they had this evening for 6 was 5.15, although it was only 1/3 full all evening. I think they may have had cancellations due to areas going up through tiers and people getting wary of heading out

If I met up with our bubble after work then we would have four cars.
Any child over 17 could have a car. The family across the road have five and youngest is learning to drive.

Staff just being extra vigilant OP. Did they see you arrive?

In any event, aren't we allowed to have business meetings in pubs?

Apparently this is a known loophole but one that businesses have been advised against.
I think they said it was there for genuine cases of business people who don't operate from a static office where they need to have face to face contact with clients and contacts, not to meet up with colleague mates for a lunch time pie and pint .

Does it really matter!!
They've got every right to protect themselves and other customers, let alone not be fined.
Get over yourself.

The 4 car requirements.

DD1 (21) in own car, heading to see boyfriend after the meal, to sit in gazebo before anyone asks. He lives 3 Miles the other side of venue.

DD2 in own car coming from work. If we'd have managed to get 6pm as we'd preferred, she would have travelled with me.

My DF in his own car. We are still keeping away from him, despite him being in our bubble. I haven't hugged him since March 9th This evening at the table was the closest we've been since then.

Me, DD3 (17) AND DS in my car. Though she could have gone in her car as she's just passed and thrilled with the achievement. But obvs I didn't want to piss MN off too much

There could have been a fifth car as DH works away in the week and could have joined us on way home. But that makes 7, so we had to leave him out.

@MaeveDidIt

Does it really matter!! They've got every right to protect themselves and other customers, let alone not be fined. Get over yourself.

I have

I'd ask you twice if a £10k fine was involved. YABU.

YABU. I would be suspicious too.

Yabu.
Have you heard of covid and global warming?

I know of a small venue, six or seven tables. It was a woman’s “special birthday” so her and her friends called the venue separately to book tables all pretending to be separate. The venue clicked half way through the celebrations and requested everyone stay at their own table and not mix. A couple of days later the birthday girl tested positive for Covid and had to inform the venue which had to immediately shut. A couple of days after that four other people tested positive. YABVU. The venue had every right to ask. You could be potentially putting them out of business for a while and people out of jobs.

YANBU, FGS what has the world come to? businesses can't be watching car parks FGS!!!

@callmeadoctor

YANBU, FGS what has the world come to? businesses can't be watching car parks FGS!!!

Tbh, it wasn't really a watching, it was more a greeting.

The restaurant is attached to a garden centre and theres a convoluted entrance method, so they have staff to welcome even in normal times.