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.

It’s not rude, it’s logical. Ergo, common sense. I’m not going to stand in a queue with a toddler, pushchair, bags and then wrangle that clusterfuck, plus our order, over to a table that may or may not be there.

You must be quite mad.

Anyway, you can get as het up as you like, is sensible ones we’ll be claiming a spot to sit before proceeding to the counter. You won’t beat us, so you may as well join us.

With your situation, I can understand completely and would even offer the table for you.

That would be very kind.

How is that different to putting your coat on a chair, or having a friend sit at the table?

Because it's a non risky way of reserving and it's set by the business, so that when you first enter you can get a table first Vs you go to a cafe it's busy and a table is free, so you then want to sit in, and as your first in the que that should be it, but then carol and Lucy enter and Lucy gets the table while carol orders, then the tables are all booked.

Because not everyone has something with them they can leave on a table while queuing.

I know a lot of MNers seem to find that hard to believe, though.