To think you should sit at an appropriately sized table

[PerryClees]

AIBU to think that if you're a group of 2 you should sit at a table for 2 and leave the tables for 4 for larger groups?

We're at a cafe and 3 adults plus 2 kids crammed on to a table for 2 whilst there's a couple of guys taking up a table for 4. I wouldn't say anything to then obviously but it's a bit annoying. To answer the obvious questions: no, the table for 2 would not have been occupied when they got here, it only just opened and the seats were still on the table when we arrived. Also the seats are not better for the table of 4. The only advantage is more table space.

Sometimes tables for 2 are tiny and there isn't enough leg room and table space. If that is the case, I will often take a larger table. I am a customer and consumer in that environment and I want an enjoyable experience. If I am a group of 5 and I arrive and there are only tables for 2 left, I would go elsewhere, not cram around a table for 2.

Please don't waste your time being anxious about other people's opinion in such a situation. You don't know them, you are unlikely to see them again, and you can sit where you feel comfy.
So much greater selfishness shown towards others in so many ways; a seating arrangement is the least of the world's problems!

What @Midlifemusings said. Also if the table for 2 was in a location I didn’t like (eg near a draughty door/ near a noisy table of kids) I would sit at a larger table.

Oh and if I had a lot of shopping I would sit at a bigger table, so I had somewhere to park my bags.

YANBU.

I hate 2 seater tables for 2 people. They're often really crap if you are tall.

Whats even more weird is 5 people sitting around a 2 seater table and not going elsewhere when there wasnt room for you and then moaning about it on here.

I'm just idly wondering whether IABU to think it's a little selfish. It's not something that's taken up too much head space. We pulled up an extra chair, had the kids on our laps and drank our coffees - no glaring involved!

This is a completely different situation. If you want to sit together on a train, you book the seats. If I’m travelling alone, I won’t choose to sit at a table with complete strangers.

Yanbu. I was in a cafe last week where the majority of the tables were for two or four, but one larger one for six. There were several tables for two free when a lady came in on her own and sat at the largest table. She wasn’t waiting for people.

Yabu

maybe that was the only free table when they walked in

YABU to not have gone elsewhere. Were they giving away food? Why would you suffer like this?

2 persons tables tend to be too small with rubbish chairs. Fine if you're just having a quick coffee but if you're both eating or have books/laptop it's too cramped. The men might have been big/tall and needed more legroom.

I blame greedy establishments that try to cram too many tiny tables into a small space that you can hardly walk between or order 2 mains and 2 drinks on a 2 person's table.

Haaaaving said that.. I know how petty people can get and annoyed about this so I personally sit at 2 persons tables when I used to go out for food and coffee (a rarity since Covid). I had too many passive aggressive stares previously that it made the experience unpleasant for me.

Funny trains are mentioned - we are going on a train soon and I've already reserved our table!

So I walk in a cafe as a single person, only a four seater available, so I've got to elsewhere?

Seems harsh!

Good, go to cafes where you can do the same.

Just suppose you had got a table for 4 and 5 of you crammed round it, would you move if a party of 6 or more arrived?

I'd choose the smaller table in a cafe if it was available and not in a really shit place.

On a train, it would depend whether I needed a table and if any free 'two' seats had a decent view or were those awful ones that fall between the windows.

Op yanbu

Train tables, no, these are not for "groups" only, they are for people who want a table. They also have the charger points, so good for people who have laptops. They also feel more open than airline style even if the leg room is the same. Trains are not a social event like a meal is, just getting a seat is the main thing, otherwise you stand.

I would normally sit at a size appropriate table but sometimes not- e.g. if I liked the view, didn’t want to sit near the toilets, thought that the seats looked comfier or didn’t want to be bashing elbows with whoever I was with. I would probably offer to move though if a bigger party came in and couldn’t be seated. Tbh they can sit where they want and you can decide whether or not to stay there or not- I wouldn’t give it a passing thought.

You can at least cooperate with a person sitting opposite to make the most of the limited space - a seat will just continue to jam itself into your kneecaps.

I've sat in seats where there was so little legroom I had no choice but to sit sideways and block the other seat.

You often can’t book seats on trains. I’ll chose an airline if I can and I’m travelling alone or just with DS.

The cafe table thing is annoying. I worked in a touristy pub as a teenager. There was a big round table that often had 1 or 2 people on it in the afternoon and it was a pain if they were still there come evening food service.

I always choose the best table available for me when I walk in. I don't think oh I should leave that table free in case someone else comes in to the cafe / pub / restaurant. If I was a family of five and there was only a 2 seater table I would ask the staff if they could advise when a larger table would be available or go elsewhere.

If I am on my own it is likely to be a small table but if I am with a friend I will choose the best view / aspect / comfiest. However if the 2 seater is in the waitress pathway / by the toilet or bar I would choose the 4 seater near the window or in the corner.

I always book a table seat on the train even if I'm on my own.

If I was one of 2 sitting at a table for 4 and a party of 5 came in (as in your scenario) I think I’d move. No obligation I guess, but it does seem like good manners.

I wouldn't say anything to then obviously

Why not?

If the chairs were still on the tables when you arrived, why didn't you just ask the staff if they could set up a bigger table for you to use?

Yeah exactly just ask nicely. But if the table for 4 is in a nicer spot or less cramped I can see why they went for it. Often the tables for 2 are too small to actually put both people's food and drinks on and it just gets annoying.