Page 32 | not to share my table at outdoor cafe

ShirleyEyeRosebud · 2023-05-29T09:26:33+00:00

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?

Blossomtoes · 30/05/2023 14:41

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 14:37

Well clearly not it's not the social norm to go and invade someone else's table. Because if it was, everyone would be agreeing with you. But they're not.

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Many are. We’re not all antisocial people haters.

JediIsMyMaster · 30/05/2023 14:41

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 14:24

It's about time these lazy journalists went and did some real journalism. There's lots of news that the public would welcome a bit of investigative journalism around. But no, they're clearly not capable of that, hence resorting to lifting a discussion off Mumsnet and call it news. Utterly pathetic low quality journalism. Print that, Daily Wail. And then go and learn about what journalism actually should be.

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I suspect everyone can agree that we definitely wouldn’t want to be sharing tables with a Daily Mail “journalist”!

OriginalUsername2 · 30/05/2023 16:48

NatashaDancing · 29/05/2023 16:13

OP had a table. No one said she couldn't have a table. I often eat out on my own. I can't imagine the mindset that thinks that makes me entitled to take up a table that would sit 6 people in an outdoor picnic area.

Honestly how do some of you manage to get through the day?

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That’s just nasty and unnecessary.

I was a waitress. Table for one, table for 2, table for 7.. all regular, normal requests that didn’t require every seat to be accounted for.

pimplesquisher · 30/05/2023 16:56

LovePoppy · 30/05/2023 01:56

If they don’t, maybe they should get some smaller tables then?

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There’s no automatic right to a table all to yourself

Spectre8 · 30/05/2023 17:27

Its a bloody cafe not a restaurant!
Mostly sandwiches and drinks that people pop in for and rarely stay for long, a hour or two tops unless your doing some work.

InsomniacVampire · 30/05/2023 17:39

mainsfed · 30/05/2023 12:40

Oh lawd, I've been quoted 😂

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You're famous now!

NatashaDancing · 30/05/2023 17:49

OriginalUsername2 · 30/05/2023 16:48

That’s just nasty and unnecessary.

I was a waitress. Table for one, table for 2, table for 7.. all regular, normal requests that didn’t require every seat to be accounted for.

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But it wasn't that sort of set up where tables are allocated on that basis by a waitress.

NatashaDancing · 30/05/2023 17:50

JediIsMyMaster · 30/05/2023 14:41

I suspect everyone can agree that we definitely wouldn’t want to be sharing tables with a Daily Mail “journalist”!

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I'd sooner share a table with them than at least 2 of the posters on here.

NatashaDancing · 30/05/2023 17:52

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 14:37

Well clearly not it's not the social norm to go and invade someone else's table. Because if it was, everyone would be agreeing with you. But they're not.

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Your hyperbolic comments are hilarious.

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 17:54

Blossomtoes · 30/05/2023 14:41

Many are. We’re not all antisocial people haters.

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I don't hate people. I just don't want to have dinner with you. Don't take it so personally. Go and find someone who welcomes the company of intrusive strangers. I expect there's people on this thread who would love to have dinner with you.

Blossomtoes · 30/05/2023 17:59

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 17:54

I don't hate people. I just don't want to have dinner with you. Don't take it so personally. Go and find someone who welcomes the company of intrusive strangers. I expect there's people on this thread who would love to have dinner with you.

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I’m not taking it remotely personally. There’s a difference between having dinner with someone and sitting two feet away from them at the same table.

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 18:00

NatashaDancing · 30/05/2023 17:50

I'd sooner share a table with them than at least 2 of the posters on here.

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At last. You take the hint. Good. Go and eat with the daily mail journalist. I'm sure they'll move up for you and provide lots of witty original repertoire to pass the time with you. I'm sure you have lots to give back too 😁 what a joyous time you'll have together...

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 18:01

Blossomtoes · 30/05/2023 17:59

I’m not taking it remotely personally. There’s a difference between having dinner with someone and sitting two feet away from them at the same table.

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How about you wait and sit at the next table instead 👍☺️

Blossomtoes · 30/05/2023 18:04

How about you stop with the personal attacks?

Bluebellsparklypant · 30/05/2023 18:06

I changed my vote to YRBU when I read the table was for 6

AnnieSnap · 30/05/2023 18:15

Yes, I’m afraid you were being unreasonable. A quiet coffee with your dog can be had at quiet times. At busy times, it’s unreasonable to expect to have a table that can seat 6, to yourself.

DontGoThereYet · 30/05/2023 18:19

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 09:40

It's true, you can move when on public transport. The same doesn't really apply when I sit at a table, order food, and then someone decides to come and squash up next to me at the table. Not so easy for the person who already has the table to just move. Unless they're happy to leave their food behind.

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Have you ever been a busy place like prêt in a city at lunchtime?

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 18:22

Blossomtoes · 30/05/2023 18:04

How about you stop with the personal attacks?

What part of my conversation is identifying as a personal attack? Or is anything you don't like or agree with considered to be a personal attack?

Just asking out of politeness so I know in the future...

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 18:23

DontGoThereYet · 30/05/2023 18:19

Have you ever been a busy place like prêt in a city at lunchtime?

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Not if I can avoid it. Which generally I can.

DontGoThereYet · 30/05/2023 18:26

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 18:23

Not if I can avoid it. Which generally I can.

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Ah ok. So sharing tables is out of your norm then. I guess if you have lived in a city for years and are used to sharing and being asked to share (in cafes in the daytime, not restaurants) the concept seems less alien and frightening perhaps.

Matildalamp · 30/05/2023 18:33

I would have said yes, if it was one person on their own. And I could tell from their general demeanour that they would be a quiet table mate. But that’s a huge caveat, and chances are I’d have said no. And they’d need to sit on the other side as far away from me as they could get. In fact I’d probably have insisted on a table behaviour contract, signed and witnessed by two other diners.

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 18:45

DontGoThereYet · 30/05/2023 18:26

Ah ok. So sharing tables is out of your norm then. I guess if you have lived in a city for years and are used to sharing and being asked to share (in cafes in the daytime, not restaurants) the concept seems less alien and frightening perhaps.

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I do live in a city. 🤣 I have never been asked to share where I live. I can't think of any places here where people would be expected to share a table. I remember a few shitholes when I was at uni that did, where they crowded people in and served up crap food. Obviously didn't visit more than once. And that was years ago. It's not frightening to share a table though. Why would I be frightened? I just dont want to sit with strangers. I like my space. I don't share it. :-)

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 18:47

Matildalamp · 30/05/2023 18:33

I would have said yes, if it was one person on their own. And I could tell from their general demeanour that they would be a quiet table mate. But that’s a huge caveat, and chances are I’d have said no. And they’d need to sit on the other side as far away from me as they could get. In fact I’d probably have insisted on a table behaviour contract, signed and witnessed by two other diners.

🤣 maybe a chalk line on the table which they can't cross.

DontGoThereYet · 30/05/2023 18:49

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 30/05/2023 18:45

I do live in a city. 🤣 I have never been asked to share where I live. I can't think of any places here where people would be expected to share a table. I remember a few shitholes when I was at uni that did, where they crowded people in and served up crap food. Obviously didn't visit more than once. And that was years ago. It's not frightening to share a table though. Why would I be frightened? I just dont want to sit with strangers. I like my space. I don't share it. :-)

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It’s quite normal in central London busy cafes. Chains more than independents. Clearly unusual in other cities.

August1980 · 30/05/2023 18:51

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.

This