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?

… but that would be your table. The table you wouldn’t let anyone else use was the table of the business who lost money because you were selfish and seem to be unable to accept that you were.

No need to stay at home. You can just be patient and wait. It won't hurt you. You won't die of starvation. Probably better if you stayed at home really. Cook your dinner there. You'll get it quicker and you won't show yourself up in public.

Rude!

But she's taking up a big table meant for more people, I always expect to share (and would expect someone to share with me) in this situation. Its basic social etiquette

Keep up, they didn’t lose any money as the couple who asked to share with me found a spare table straight away

the George at Stamford is amazing. If you are ever in the area

So judging by this thread, there should be minimal free spaces whenever anyone goes to a cafe, because everyone is happily sharing spaces at their table!

I'll tell my teenage sons that next time they are in a busy Costa!

Yeah right!

Well other people don't want to share with you. So take your weird over familiar inappropriate behaviour elsewhere.

because everyone is happily sharing spaces at their table!

Er, yes? What do you find surprising about this? Of course in a big cafe with plenty of tables, people won't share. In a small busy coffee shop, with fewer tables, it's really common to see people sharing, and not just big tables like in OP's case.

I have never seen a situation where anyone seemed unhappy about sharing.

😂

Strange etiquette to impose yourself on someone who has clearly asked to be left in peace

The George at Stamford is famously the place politicians and Lord this and that took their mistresses for an massive New Years Eve pissup bonkathon- party, so I'm not sure there is such a thing as wouldn't happen at the George.

I doubt either of them could cope.

These responses are making me laugh because they are so unkind and haven’t changed my view. I would do the same if it happened again.

So you asked if you were being unreasonable, it was pretty unanimous that you were, but you'd do it again. That was worth asking then 😂

But did they share ahem tables?

Strange etiquette to impose yourself on someone who has clearly asked to be left in peace

That's not someone's right though, if the cafe / coffee shop is busy. It goes with the territory - you might get a table to yourself; you might not.

You haven't an implicit right to be 'left in peace'

It really isn’t basic social etiquette. The basic social etiquette is not to impose yourself on strangers who may be wanting to have a private conversation over lunch.

They found somewhere else after you selfishly refused. You still had 5 spaces, you could have let them have the end of the table and then someone else could have have the table they ended up with. You were in the wrong, you’re not a customer I’d want because you’re all about yourself.

And early on, the OP said 'oh dear maybe I was unreasonable'. She was later buoyed by the posters who agreed with her & changed position.

49/51 atm so very evenly split. And the fact that it was a 6 seater table was the 7th post in the thread so I think most of the voters would have seen that before voting (contrary to what one other poster said)

She seems quite excited about the whole thing doesn’t she.

If you want to quote me then get it right

49/51 atm so very evenly split

Just remember, you can't vote in the app. Comments-wise, it must be at least 75/25 in favour of YABU

Thanks everyone for making my first AIBU so entertaining

Bonking in the private bedrooms rooms if invited is absolutely fine. But there is no table sharing in any of the public rooms. I can only assume it’s something done at less desirable dining establishments. I’m glad i don’t have to frequent those type of places if that’s what happens. Give me the Garden Room or even the York Bar at The George any day of the week. People behave with decorum and respect.