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?

Aren’t you the poster that was talking about vomiting on a table to avoid company? I have lost track a bit. Because that poster sounded quite extreme and frightened!

Wow they are really laying into you on here aren't they OP. Hardly the crime of the century was it?

But next time have a ready made excuse for why you need the table if the requestor doesn't look like they are going to be a pleasant table fellow.

Try "Dog gets anxious / bites with strangers (depending on whether your dog is a cockapoo or rottweiler).

Or when someone asks, just stare at them and wince / wink erratically - they will find another table soon enough. This one works if they actually sit down anyway too despite you saying no.

I wouldn't worry about the cafe losing money. If people are queuing for 20m to get a table they are doing OK.

And as you said they found a table shortly after.

AYBU? If there was a mother with a baby desperate for a seat, probably yes. If its just some adults wanted to banter on and disturb your quiet time, absolutely not.

Sounds shit (imo) 👍

Oh that was me yes. Not from fear, just a deterrent to a pushy space invader. Although clearly that was a joke. I'd do much more than just vomit

Ooh! Good plan 😂

Matildalamp 🤣

Maybe build a fence out of the menu's too.

London life isn’t perfect. Still wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! Sharing a table at prêt is a small price to pay. And thankfully nobody has had the urge to vomit ;-)

No not being unreasonable at all!
You waited for that seat after all. It's not your fault if the café doesn't have smaller tables. Good on you for standing your ground and not people pleasing x

Yes Abu if there were no more tables available

I’m out for dinner and someone has just come across and asked if they can plug in their phone in the socket next to my table… it’s really no bother. Nice to know they don’t think I’m a potential tea leaf!

Well done for working on your assertiveness and making a change. Not easy to do.

The table.

Haven't read the whole thread but in my opinion you were unreasonable taking a dog inside a busy cafe in the first place, though I realise you couldn't have ordered otherwise. The people who asked to share your table must have been doglovers so I think you were unreasonable to refuse, given that it was a table for six. And before anyone tells me I hate dogs, I love them.

How many of them were there and how old were they? This is the important bit. Yes you probably were BA especially as they would’ve, I’m sure, completely let you be and kept to themselves on the other side of the bench. However at the end of the day, does it matter? It’s ok to be unreasonable sometimes. Its not the worst thing in the world.

AIBU is alwyas horrible tbh! Doesn’t matter what you post.

I went for coffee at an outdoor cafe today alone. Took a table for two but after a while a family of four arrived to sit at the next table where there were only 3 seats so I very obligingly (!) offered them my spare chair. Job done! 😂

I've never been asked to share in London 🤣
People don't even make eye contact if they can help it!

You have a bizarre attitude.

Right back at you mains 😘

Here's what you wrote:

I never get attitudes like yours Earrings. The thread is full of people being quite nasty to OP, and yet if she so much as says a word in her defence, you accuse her of being aggressive.

I'm glad you weren't accusing me of being nasty. However, I'm sure you can agree due to your sentence construction, it was strongly implied.

In any case, the thread was also full of posters disagreeing politely with OP, and she was fairly unpleasant in return. IMO of course.

52% agree with OP on this
Yesterday it was 50/50

I already pointed out that you can't vote on the app. Going by comments, many more posters disagreed with OP's approach than agreed.

Hilarious that Earrings is trying to claim that the majority are against the OP, when the poll shows the opposite.

Reading comprehension challenges again @mainsfed

I'd previously explained you can't vote on the app. My comment referred to the majority of comments.

HTH

I wouldn't want to share a picnic table. You have to climb through. It can be a bit snug. How many people was she expecting you to share with? 5? That would be awkward. 2? Easier. I don't think you are being unreasonable.

You should have offered them your table and your dinner. And your car keys. I don't think offering just a chair was very generous behaviour towards a stranger.

🤣 No they don't. The way people sidle on to the tube, desperate not to make eye contact.

I can confirm no eye contact,no talking,no chitty chatty on the tube. Thems is the rules
i carry a book all times so no spontaneous interaction

Absolutely. Or carefully stare at the floor at the advertising above people's heads in the absence of a book. Alternatively memorise the tube map.

How often are people asked to share a table on the Tube?