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?

Err, someone who is following the system of the cafe by choosing a table and then ordering inside with the table number.

And it was my bag not a handbag.

Exactly. I didn’t realise it was such a heinous crime.

I shall be killing kittens tomorrow, so that should provoke a real response.

There are a lot of very selfish attitudes on here. I bet if some of you owned a cafe, and a group of people went elsewhere to eat because one person sitting at a table for six wouldn't share you would have a very different attitude. Unbelievable. Once again, is this a UK thing, because I have not encountered it where I live.

I'm in the UK and I've never come across this attitude either. The levels of precious, selfish entitlement by some posters are astonishing (and I'm still convinced they don't get out much to behave the way they claim to)

For some people it would take a lot of courage to even ask once. So being turned down would cause discomfort. If someone genuinely feels they can't share a six seat table with a seat between them and a stranger then fair enough, but those refusing without good reason are incredibly selfish.

Hopefully they won't ask again then if it's caused them discomfort. 🤞

I shall be killing kittens tomorrow, so that should provoke a real response.

Hilarious OP 🙄

Don't feel bad, you waited for that table!
I wouldn't have shared either. I've shared before and ended up being pretty much shoved in a corner and glowered at by people that joined the table afterwards.
Tough. Your turn, your table.

Thanks

If having to share a table causes a person discomfort, should they just never go to a cafe with that table set up again then?

Yes, they could always avoid the discomfort by waiting for a table to become vacant

The person at the table doesn't need to go elsewhere. They already have a table to sit at. The person who has arrived but the tables are all gone might want to go somewhere else, or wait until a table is free.

Or if there are five vacant seats at a table then the person sitting alone could share. Like children are taught in nursery to do.

No thanks. Wait your turn. Like children in nursery are taught to do.

So many people on this thread, so desperate for food on a Sunday morning that they can't wait for a free table - explains the obesity epidemic in this country.

One table was free.....the cafe have chosen cheap picnic tables as a seating option - this is what happens.

It's not a restaurant where tables can be reconfigured to party size -so sometimes there will be one person, sometimes six.

If the cafe have a problem - they need to buy tables and chairs.

Wait for a free table for your party or move - not sure why single occupants are expected to accommodate anyone else in this instance.

Not if there are five spare seats they aren't

Or the newcomers could wait their turn like school children are taught to.

I’m certainly glad this is the option my favourite cafe employs, people are shown to a table and if no tables free then people have to wait outside. The staff have no issue with smaller groups having a bigger table. obviously they try and sit you at an appropriate size table if one so free when you get to the front of t(e queue. But if you’re a couple waiting and the next table free is a six seater they’ll put you there.

Yes, they could always avoid the discomfort by waiting for a table to become vacant

Why would they when there were 5 free seats available? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Wait your turn. Like children in nursery are taught to do.

Yes if there is one of something.

The other customers weren't asking for OP's chair. They were asking to join her at a table with 5 free chairs they could use.

No need to 'wait your turn' in that situation.

Because we are not pigs at a trough. Part of the experience of eating out is the relaxing ambiance and for some people that doesn’t include sharing a table with strangers. You wouldn’t expect to do that in a top restaurant so I don’t see the difference here.

@jazzandh

*So many people on this thread, so desperate for food on a Sunday morning that they can't wait for a free table - explains the obesity epidemic in this country.

🤣

I can’t believe people are still berating OP.

You wouldn’t expect to do that in a top restaurant

Some do have communal tables. Apparently it’s part of the experience.

Obviously, if you go to a restaurant with communal tables then you know what to expect so that is hardly relevant here.

I did wait for a free table so she wasn’t berating me!

And if you go to a cafe with large picnic tables you also know what to expect, so it is relevant here…