not to share my table at outdoor cafe

[ShirleyEyeRosebud]

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?

I don’t see a problem with that

How many people would the table have seated?

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

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.

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

They were picnic benches so would seat 6 people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

YABVU keeping a table that size all to yourself.

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.

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

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

How selfish.

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.

Yup.

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

I agree. A party of 4 would have been annoying

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!

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?