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 normal but unfair for the person who arrived first and alone. Perhaps the cafe could sort this one if they value the business. Or he sits at the same table as them. Plock himself down in the empty seat and says I was here first in the queue.

I’m generally of the get your table first persuasion. But in places like Costa, unless they’re extremely busy, we will queue together then I go and find a table while DH waits for the coffees and brings them over.

My late MIL was team queue first and she had a real bee in her bonnet about it.

This wasn't a problem in the good old days, you either brought a coffee or a tea, both of which were served in seconds.

I think you'd be highly unlikely to see that assortment of people in so large a group in a coffee shop. A family get together like that wouldn't they have booked a restaurant, rather than mum, dad, kids, grandparents and friends all descending on Caffe Nero or Costa?

😆😆😆 what on earth are you talking about? Coffee shops are not for families?

Look, to those who don’t claim a table first and feel virtuous about it (though aggrieved when they have no table to sit at and a rapidly cooling drink), those of us who do it the logical thing and find a table, plonk our things down, seat the elderly, infirm or infant, before having a single representative in the queue… we’re not going to change. And you won’t beat us, so you may as well join us.

I think you'd be highly unlikely to see that assortment of people in so large a group in a coffee shop. A family get together like that wouldn't they have booked a restaurant, rather than mum, dad, kids, grandparents and friends all descending on Caffe Nero or Costa?

I've seen larger family groups in cafes, not to mention all the parenting and hobby groups who regularly meet in them.

On another thread someone mentioned taking 25 five year olds to Costa plus all the adults needed to accompany them. That sounds like a nightmare for everyone at the best of times without having all those people stretched across the cafe unnecessarily.

This reminds me of the bizarre incident I witnessed in an M&S cafe a few weeks ago.

It was early morning around 8.30am. Three tables taken out of around 20 or so. A woman on her own got her order (tea/coffee, breakfast roll) and went and sat at the window seat. She took her coat off, and went to go to the toilet.

While she was gone, another woman and her husband came in. They made a bee-line straight for this window table and actually moved her full cup, breakfast roll, and coat onto another table and just parked their arses down

I couldn't believe it and the woman also looked bamboozled when she came back. She just sat down at her new table without fuss though, bless her.

There were plenty of other tables to choose from and although this was a window seat, there was only a view of the car park. Nothing spectacular.

This is true, customer throughput was much better in the old days! Coffee was a bit shit though.

You do realise that some people socialise with their families and friends outside of restaurants don't you?

Staff shouldn't have to queue in a hospital. They need their break FFS!

The last cafe I was in DH queued for the coffee, I got a table so I could bf a rapidly getting angrier DS. Should we have all stood in the queue pram and all blocking up the very small counter, which backed right up to the door. Meaning if too many people queue the door would have to be open.

The worst part is that you pay extra for eating in in some cafes... So what if I know there's a spare table as I'm paying and I want to eat-in and pay the little extra, just to have some selfish person with their mate grab that table? Now I am standing there with a tray with everything ready to eat-in? So what do I do then - either stand around waiting looking like a mug, or go back to the counter and ask for everything to be put into takeaway containers. Thanks. It's rude.

So what do I do then - either stand around waiting looking like a mug, or go back to the counter and ask for everything to be put into takeaway containers. Thanks. It's rude.

Yes. Deal with it like an adult and wait for someone to leave, there's usually a regular flow of people in and out, or ask to share a table. There's nothing wrong with that.

Why are so many Mumsnetters seemingly incapable of solving the problem for themselves? If you need extra assistance because of disability , then that's different, but otherwise I'm sure you'll cope.

Just grab a table when you get in there

Well, obviously! Obviously I would have to do one of those 2 things but the point is I shouldn't fucking have to.

Yes. You can also claim a table by putting an item on it or a note if you prefer. Either way I'm sure people will manage.

I go to cafes alone. at least once a week and have done so for 2 decades now. I can't stand for long and often I can't carry a tray due to nerve damage in my hands and arms. I've still somehow managed to cope without too much residual trauma.

Well you are a bit late at that point. But what you should have done was noted whether there were plenty of tables available in the first place. If I am on my own and walked into a cafe with only one table available, I would have assumed right there that it would probably be gone by the time I had my order. I would get my food to go or I may well decide not to bother. Other posters have suggested they would put their coat down, truthfully I wouldn’t do that, I would just think it was my hard luck that day.

You know what's really easy? I go to a garden centre cafe. They have a little note at the entrance - it says pick up a menu and a reserved flag. Leave your flag on a table, choose your food, make a not of your flag number and come to the counter to order.

So everyone picks up their numbered flag when they go in, puts it on an empty table and then sort out their order. Completely fair first come first served method.

Well, obviously! Obviously I would have to do one of those 2 things but the point is I shouldn't fucking have to.

Well you can sulk and tantrum about others doing a perfectly normal sensible commonplace thing or you can reserve your own table and join them.

Should we have all stood in the queue pram and all blocking up the very small counter, which backed right up to the door. Meaning if too many people queue the door would have to be open.

Exactly. Who wants to have to constantly dodge people strewn around the cafe, especially fractious toddlers, because the queue is longer than it needs to be?

Says who?

Who says you shouldn't have to? You? Plenty on here and in the real world disagree with you.

I think this is pretty standard and people do it all the time.
Personally it can be frustrating as I often go out with my son who is in a pram alone. A few times I had to change my order last minute to a takeaway as someone had grabbed the only spare table. It’s very annoying especially if I don’t want a takeaway. I’m then left pushing a pram with one hand and having to find somewhere to sit outdoors weather permitting.

People can disagree, I just think it's very rude. But I suppose if the cafe allows reserving seats before paying for them there's nothing to do about it. I would never do it to other people though.

No, I didn't say that coffee shops are not for families. If you'd read properly, you'd have understood that. I said that you would be highly unlikely to see a huge multi-generational family, along with their friends, in Costa or Nero.