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.

Right? If I was behind that poster in a queue, as they stood gawping at a staff member and refusing to pay, I’d be pissed off and think they were off their rocker for getting things so arse about face.

Selfishly taking tables which people in front of you in the queue should have had available to them is no different to being one of the lunatics you sometimes see trying to stop people parking in car park spaces by standing in them.

It's not the same thing at all because the table thing is standard in many cafes and expected, whether you like it or not, standing in a car park space is not.

If you're alone, reserve a seat with an item of your choice, or wait. Generally there's a regular flow of people coming and going so unless it's exceptionally busy someone will probably have left their table by the time you've ordered and received your items. You can always ask to share a table too.

I regularly eat in cafes and restaurants alone and I've somehow managed to do so for a few decades now without ever finding myself standing forlornly in front of a staff member, and expecting them to solve the problem for me.

That's just normal now unfortunately.

I admit when meeting a friend for coffee that, if there are only one or two tables left, one of us will just sit at one while the other queues.

The assumption is that those in the queue must be for take away only, otherwise they would have done the same as us!

If I’m on my own, which happens occasionally, I just ask a couple of people at a table for 4, if they mind if so join them. I’ve never had my request turned down and the atmosphere has never been uncomfortable. I’ve reciprocated when having coffee with a friend and there’s room at our table. There are much greater things in life to be worried about.

It's early March, I assumed he had jacket on that he could leave on the chair.

I had this once in a jam packed John Lewis cafe. Went to get food drinks etc with 2 v small DC and was walking to an empty table when old witch of Cheadle eye balls me and makes a run for it and sat there while her friend queued for drinks. I just went over and put my tray down and sat there anyway. She moved with a lot of eye rolling, dramatic hand gestures etc.

Let’s just imagine if we enforced this rule that groups must not sit at a table while one person queues and orders. Everybody must queue and wait their turn.

How congested would the limited space at the counter (depending on the size of the cafe) become? And how would this congestion affect the general atmosphere of the cafe? Will they need to have less tables to make more room available for larger queues?

These are just some things to consider.

A group of four or more people joining a queue is going to take up far more space than if one of them did. Then another large group arrives and takes up more space. It’s not very practical is it?

I think when you order food or beverages at a cafe you are simply waiting for your turn to be served. You are not waiting for your rightful place at a table.

And I say that as someone who has found themselves unable to get a table. It is a bit annoying but I have never felt like it was unfair because someone behind me in the queue had friends or family sit at the table before I had a chance to.

Now don't let us get started on those people who use cafes as their home office 😂

I'm not averse to asking said bagged table if I can 'just rest my tray here to drink my coffee and eat my bun while your friend is still in the queue, don't worry I'm sure another table will come free before your friend is served'

Well yes, if there are plenty of free tables, of course I would want one too! I mean if it's busy and it doesn't look as if there is a free table, I am more than happy to share mine or sit at someone else's (if having a quick coffee).

The coffee shop I go to has a 'counter / bar' area running each side of the shop, with tables more centrally. It's not the counter where you are served. It's handy for one person, but wouldn't be as comfortable for two people if meeting for a chat, as you are on stools and have to turn to see each other so that's why I choose it when I'm alone. (which is mostly!)

And I say that as someone who has found themselves unable to get a table. It is a bit annoying but I have never felt like it was unfair because someone behind me in the queue had friends or family sit at the table before I had a chance to.

Me too. I have definitely looked around and thought, 'plenty of spaces' only to have them all nabbed before I have got to the till and paid. In the nature of it, I assume one will become free soon enough, so I just get on with it.

I'm a bit more irritated by people who sit there when it's really busy, with their empty coffee cups and plates and let others stand waiting for a table. I do tend to edge closer to them and do a bit of Paddington-Bear staring in those cases!

Me too. Or people working remotely in coffee shops for 3 hours while sipping one cup of coffee are also on top of my list. What a waste of space. I'll be done with my coffee in half an hour and gone, even though my bastard ass reserved seating.

This is a great thread. Who knew people could get so angry and think others are selfish for just using their common sense 😂

So absolutely nothing on your person can be removed and placed on the table or chair?
No coat, no jumper, no hat, no gloves, no bag, no notebook, absolutely nothing comes off?

Christ I've seen someone write on a napkin that they're just in the queue.

What a complete non-issue.

If you're on your own and need a table, you simply go and put your jacket or another item on a table before you queue.

I find the best thing to reserve a table is a toddler. No one wants to nick it and it comes with its own exclusion zone.

Plus I suspect even the mad ones on here who buy laden trays of food and drink before finding somewhere to sit can’t be mad at me for offloading a toddler onto a table to do a puzzle, before queueing.

Oh ok, we agree then!

Speak for yourself. I often sit alone in cafes and have the sense to put something down to reserve my table first because I’m not an idiot

@FoxInSocksSatOnBlocks ha ha ha - I totally agree! Baffling

'This is a great thread. Who knew people could get so angry and think others are selfish for just using their common sense 😂'

Wow! The cheeky fucker! I'm glad you got her the move.

I can't believe the brass neck on some people. Actually, reading this thread I think I can...

I honestly didn't know people didn't make sure they had a table before ordering. Never known a single person in my life not to make sure they have a table first.

I wouldnt order if I didnt have somewhere to sit. I actually thought it was the norm to save a table then order.

Nope neither would I. Makes no sense!

It is. Sofia’s just salty because she didn’t realise and now feels a bit stupid for not using her common sense before and has spent hours walking around with cold coffee slopping around trays.