Page 9 | Queue jumping in cafés

JoanThursday1972 · 2023-03-06T19:42:07+00:00

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.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 08/03/2023 10:56

MouldWatch · 08/03/2023 10:40

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.

Show quote history

Seems weird to consider following the rules rude.

SofiaSoFar · 08/03/2023 11:06

Just grab a table when you get in there...

"Grab" seems to be a commonly used term by the queue jumpers in this thread.

It's very apt.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/03/2023 11:09

SofiaSoFar · 08/03/2023 11:06

Just grab a table when you get in there...

"Grab" seems to be a commonly used term by the queue jumpers in this thread.

It's very apt.

Nah. No one is jumping any queues.

Very odd to think otherwise

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 08/03/2023 11:12

JoanThursday1972 · 08/03/2023 10:47

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.

Show quote history

Okay, take the multigenerational family out of what I said and replace with any group of 3 or more people. Is that unlikely?

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 08/03/2023 11:12

SofiaSoFar · 08/03/2023 11:06

Just grab a table when you get in there...

"Grab" seems to be a commonly used term by the queue jumpers in this thread.

It's very apt.

🤣🤣 nice try

ZeroFuchsGiven · 08/03/2023 11:16

SofiaSoFar · 08/03/2023 11:06

Just grab a table when you get in there...

"Grab" seems to be a commonly used term by the queue jumpers in this thread.

It's very apt.

You do realise you have been using cafes wrong for all these years. You dont order TILL you have a seat, that is not queue jumping. Queue jumping would be walking straight to the front of the people queuing and placing your order.

Ifailed · 08/03/2023 11:18

There are two potential queues, one to get served and one to get a table. A single person has to either stand in each in series, or jumps the second one by 'claiming' a table. If two or more people come in they can join both queues simultaneously. Hence the system is biased against single people.

Honoraryuce · 08/03/2023 11:18

I don't see the problem. If I'm alone I chuck a coat on the chair and queue.

KimberleyClark · 08/03/2023 11:18

ZeroFuchsGiven · 08/03/2023 11:16

You do realise you have been using cafes wrong for all these years. You dont order TILL you have a seat, that is not queue jumping. Queue jumping would be walking straight to the front of the people queuing and placing your order.

Show quote history

Exactly this. You queue to get your food, not get a table. So someone who gets a table first is not queue jumping

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 08/03/2023 11:37

JoanThursday1972 · 08/03/2023 10:47

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.

Show quote history

Yep. It’s still nonsense.

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 08/03/2023 11:39

All the sad sacks who think it’s rude to sensibly claim yourself a table before ordering (and paying extra) to eat and drink in, you’re very welcome at my table.

Just so long as you promise not to glower at me for having the common sense to put my coat, shopping and child, at a table and make my life easier before heading to the counter.

Islandgirl68 · 08/03/2023 12:35

I find this really annoying. It is ok if it is not busy but not on if it is busy. I have been caught out like that where I have my tray with stuff and have being going round and round, while people go and grab tables when they have not yet bought their food. It is extremely rude and selfish. Some cafes when busy don't let you do this and rightly so. Only time this is fair if there is some one that needs a seat due to age or disability. I don't stay in a busy cafe if I know that is going to be a problem.

NotAnotherBathBomb · 08/03/2023 13:12

MouldWatch · 08/03/2023 10:05

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.

You. Make. Sure. You. Have. A. Table. First.

More fool you for PAYING to eat it with no guarantee

ImustLearn2Cook · 08/03/2023 14:14

The majority have voted yabu. For good reason. Most of us do not spit the dummy when we find ourselves in this scenario. Probably because we aren’t entitled, self centred, or think we’re better than everyone else.

saveforthat · 08/03/2023 14:15

I just sit down next to someone saving a table if there are no others free. I just say are ALL these chairs taken? and then sit down. There is a cafe near me with a sign up asking customers not to save tables and everyone seems to comply.

Original poster

JoanThursday1972 · 08/03/2023 15:37

ImustLearn2Cook · 08/03/2023 14:14

The majority have voted yabu. For good reason. Most of us do not spit the dummy when we find ourselves in this scenario. Probably because we aren’t entitled, self centred, or think we’re better than everyone else.

What an odd response!

OP posts:

CelestiaNoctis · 08/03/2023 18:05

So if a family came in and the dad went to get the food and drinks while mum set up the kids at the table, they're pushing in? Everyone knows one person gets the table while the other gets the food, that's a rule as old as time.

AnnieSnap · 08/03/2023 18:45

People have been saving a table in a busy cafe since the beginning of cafes. Of course YABU. It’s just life!

Notamumsym · 08/03/2023 18:47

I see your point and I'd be annoyed too but it's the luck of the draw and how busy it is. People will naturally bag a table if in pairs or more whilst the other gets drinks if busy

Northernsouloldies · 08/03/2023 18:53

CelestiaNoctis · 08/03/2023 18:05

So if a family came in and the dad went to get the food and drinks while mum set up the kids at the table, they're pushing in? Everyone knows one person gets the table while the other gets the food, that's a rule as old as time.

Yip, that's exactly how it works 😁

Travelfan2021 · 08/03/2023 18:56

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

Chezron24 · 08/03/2023 19:16

This habit drives me crazy! spent 15 minutes in a queue looked around to see loads of tables 'taken' by people in the queue. When I got my food and drink, I couldn't fin a table that was free, so I went to one where someone had placed a bag on a chair, I sat down and ate and drank. 10 minutes later the owner of the bag came over and said this is my table, I put my bag on it. I said there were no tables free, what did you expect me to do. She took her bag and left.
If there is a queue at the counter, don't take a table that can be used by someone in front of you.
BASIC MANNERS

cherish123 · 08/03/2023 19:20

It once happened to me in a rather nice independent French café.
A mother (60 ish) and son (30ish) came in behind me. The son threw his coat onto the table in front of me from behind me. I was too shocked to say anything. The mother apologised. The son obviously didn't feel embarrassed. I wish I'd said something.

Shakespeareandi · 08/03/2023 19:29

JoanThursday1972 · 06/03/2023 19:48

How can you do that though if you're alone?

Show quote history

I go in, put something down on the table. My coat and scarf or similar. It's fine. I don't think it's queue jumping. Surely if you are at the end of the queue you wouldn't know if there would be a seat anyway by the time you have got your drink and cake/whatever? I didn't know this was a problem. If it did happen to me I would just wait or find a seat at end of a table and ask if free. Not a big deal.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/03/2023 19:37

Chezron24 · 08/03/2023 19:16

This habit drives me crazy! spent 15 minutes in a queue looked around to see loads of tables 'taken' by people in the queue. When I got my food and drink, I couldn't fin a table that was free, so I went to one where someone had placed a bag on a chair, I sat down and ate and drank. 10 minutes later the owner of the bag came over and said this is my table, I put my bag on it. I said there were no tables free, what did you expect me to do. She took her bag and left.
If there is a queue at the counter, don't take a table that can be used by someone in front of you.
BASIC MANNERS

Orrrr, crazy as it may be... Make sure you have a table to sit at before you get food and drink? Like it seems, everyone else does. Madness!