Queue jumping in cafés

[JoanThursday1972]

I was in a queue buying coffee to take out today. It was practically full and in front of me was a man by himself buying a sandwich and tea to stay in, and one available table only.

Two women came in behind me, one swanned off and took the only spare table whilst her friend bought the drinks.

Basically they'd pushed in. I think it's extremely rude. I didn't see what happened as I got my takeaway coffee and left. I do hope he challenged them though.

Many many posters have said that it depends on the cafe

no one has ‘refused to sit down’ in a cafe with table service, obviously the issue is in cafes where it isnt table service

There's definitely a case for sticking to eateries that suit you whether that's table service or waiting until you have food. I know I can't cope with anything too complicated myself.

I would get a table first if I was with other people. Why would we all queue? Why would we queue to place an order if there is a possibility that there might not be anywhere to sit? Also as a PP said, lots of places want a table number.

I went into a couple of cafes yesterday with a buggy. In the first one, I had to find a table first because it had to be one where I could put the buggy somewhere that wasn't in the way. It was a small cafe and if that table had gone, there wouldn't have been another one that we could use. The second one was a fairly empty John Lewis cafe so there was no need to find a table first as there was a range of suitable options.

I do think that this is a rule that you have made up, most people aren't doing it to annoy you but just because it works for them.

This is such a crazy thread; how does anyone at the back of the queue know who’s dining in and who’s having a take-away.
if you’re alone pop some stuff on the table, then queue. If you’re with pal(s), one queues the rest sit. It’s really not complicated or bad etiquette to get a spare tables when you walk in!

Absolutely bang on, and most city centre pubs are cool with nippers and dogs tbh. There’s also beer, cold beer. And usually good cooking!

Strictly speaking it is, as it should be they que then wait there turn, especially as the person who was before them was already going to use the table, just that he wasn't able to reserve it, like the two ladies did.

The queue is for ordering food though, not getting a table.

But then to be able to use the tables you then need to order the food, so why should someone not queuing can jump the que to get the table just because the friend is ordering the food

They both should of waited together then ordered the food rather than splitting and cheating

There is no queue to get a table though. It does not exist, so it is impossible for someone to jump it.

I think cafes where this is a problem should have a system where you can put a little 'reserved' sign on the table, and then you go to order your food/drink. For now, a coat on a chair, or another person, is doing the same thing a sign would anyway.

But in order to actually use a cafes tables, you usually have to order the food first which then grants permission if you choose eating in the cafe. To then use table, but until the food is ordered then permission is not granted to use the tables.

Perhaps each table should have two identical numbers on it, one which you collect on way to the que for food or drinks, then taken off you when your served and the number written on the receipt,
staff would replace that number when they wipe the table or some system like that..
I also think there should be few more two person tables available, such a waste all those spare seats, most customers generally are in one or twos.

You really need to let this go. If you are happy to order first then get a table that’s fine. But you won’t convince anyone else to. If cafes decide to enforce a rule of ordering before getting a table then it will become a a thing, or a bankruptcy.

"Perhaps each table should have two identical numbers on it, one which you collect on way to the que for food or drinks, then taken off you when your served and the number written on the receipt,
staff would replace that number when they wipe the table or some system like that."

Or one of you sits down and one of you orders? Or is that over simplifying it?

but until the food is ordered then permission is not granted to use the tables On what planet do the café staff stand there granting and refusing permission?

Agreed.

If you're coming into a coffee shop or café (I'm not talking about a restaurant where you'd have to either have reserved a table or ask to be seated) with someone else - ie not by oneself - and there are others in front, the people behind are sort of thinking their needs are more important, but how are they to know if those in front of them are wanting a table or a takeaway?

And people should not be precious about their space, it is a coffee shop after all not your own front room, be prepared to share a table.

...but how are they to know if those in front of them are wanting a table or a takeaway?

They don't need to know.

It doesn't matter until they're at the point of being served. At that point they know whether tables are free, that's all that matters.

If there are now 3 people ahead of them in the queue and there are 4+ tables, they know they have a table.

They don't but should

No because if there are single people in front in the que that also want a table. Then as they were there first, it should follow in order rather than fiends being able to split and order then get the table

I understand you're perspectives, it's more manners I guess especially if the cafes busy

That's not jumping the queue though ! Where I live there is a cafe with little cards to save the table while you get your drink .

Don’t be salty because you don’t use your common sense.

That I can understand, you walk in get a card put it on the table then order, that's a much better way.

Common sense is not being rude and grabbin a table before others in the que.