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AIBU?

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Original poster

not to share my table at outdoor cafe

1000 replies

ShirleyEyeRosebud · 29/05/2023 10:26

Went to my favourite cafe with my lovely dog for a relaxing Sunday morning brunch fry up.
All the tables were occupied, so we stood feeling a bit self-conscious waiting for about 20 minutes for a table to become free. In the meantime, a kind couple did ask if I wanted to share their table, but I didn’t want to disturb their relaxing morning so I said thanks for the offer but it’s ok.
So, eventually a table became free so I left my bag there to reserve it and went inside the cafe with the hound to order. When I was queuing up to order a woman asked if I had finished with my table so I said no I have just arrived. She then said are there many of you (obviously not) or can we share your table?
I said Sorry I have been waiting for a table and I would rather have it to myself.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
ButDoYouAvocado · 29/05/2023 10:27

I don’t see a problem with that

AnxiousShep · 29/05/2023 10:28

How many people would the table have seated?

JediIsMyMaster · 29/05/2023 10:29

I think if you’re in a busy cafe you have to expect to share space if needed.

BonnieGlasses · 29/05/2023 10:30

YAB a bit u if it was busy and the tables were big enough to share.
I don't want to share tables either. So I don't go to cafes at busy times.

Pixiedust1234 · 29/05/2023 10:30

Well it depends doesnt it. You left out an important fact. Was the table for two or eight people in size?

Original poster
ShirleyEyeRosebud · 29/05/2023 10:30

AnxiousShep · 29/05/2023 10:28

How many people would the table have seated?

They were picnic benches so would seat 6 people.

OP posts:
Frabbits · 29/05/2023 10:30

If the place was busy and there was room to share a table then YABU.

Pixiedust1234 · 29/05/2023 10:31

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PuttingDownRoots · 29/05/2023 10:31

Table for more than twice your party size... u reasonable (so for four people if you were by yourself or just two of you)

Tiny table for 2... not unreasonable

HoldingTheDoor · 29/05/2023 10:32

YABU. It's only fair to share tables especially large tables in busy cafes.

Plumbear2 · 29/05/2023 10:32

As it was a table for 6 and you only took one seat I would have expected you to share.

Fairyliz · 29/05/2023 10:32

ShirleyEyeRosebud · 29/05/2023 10:30

They were picnic benches so would seat 6 people.

Show quote history

Sorry but you are being totally unreasonable if you were there on your own at a table for six.

allthewoes · 29/05/2023 10:32

YABU. If there was only you or two of you it would easily have seated a couple at the other end without being uncomfortable.

AP5Diva · 29/05/2023 10:33

You took a table for six for you + dog

YABU to not share. It’s obvious the local vibe/culture is to share because a couple offered to share with you while you were in the queue.

Original poster
ShirleyEyeRosebud · 29/05/2023 10:33

Oh dear, seems that I was being a bit unreasonable.
Usually I would put others above myself so I felt slightly pleased with myself for being assertive for once. But I did feel uncomfortable at the same time.

OP posts:
FourFourOne · 29/05/2023 10:33

YABVU keeping a table that size all to yourself.

SkyandSurf · 29/05/2023 10:33

Oh YABU.

Sitting solo at a table for 6 in a busy cafe is dickish behaviour.

It deprived the cafe of business apart from anything else.

I understand wanting to eat in peace but you can still do that at a large table with strangers at the other end.

peacelemon · 29/05/2023 10:34

If it was one other person I'd have said sure. Possibly if it were two people who didn't seem the loud sort.

drpet49 · 29/05/2023 10:34

A busy Sunday morning, you waited for 20 minutes for a table then used up a table for 6 for just yourself.

How selfish.

IhearyouClemFandango · 29/05/2023 10:34

Depends, if there were only 2 of them then I wouldn't have an issue as they would then have the other end of the table.

But if there were 4 of them I would feel very uncomfortable.

I don't necessarily think you're being unreasonable.

skippy67 · 29/05/2023 10:34

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Yup.

HoIIy · 29/05/2023 10:34

You were very unreasonable. Picnic benches always get shared in busy places. But it sounds like you've been the picnic table police 🚔

peacelemon · 29/05/2023 10:35

IhearyouClemFandango · 29/05/2023 10:34

Depends, if there were only 2 of them then I wouldn't have an issue as they would then have the other end of the table.

But if there were 4 of them I would feel very uncomfortable.

I don't necessarily think you're being unreasonable.

I agree. A party of 4 would have been annoying

CC4712 · 29/05/2023 10:35

so I felt slightly pleased with myself for being assertive for once.

You were bloody rude- not assertive!

So 1 human and 1 dog (presumably sitting in the ground) needed to take up the space of a 6 seater table??? YABVVVVU CF!

pizzaHeart · 29/05/2023 10:36

it depends how many of them it was : I would expect you to share with another couple but not with 5 people.
Also if you saw that it’s mum with 2 small kids would you offer to share or would you pretend not to see them?

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