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?

It's simply an opinion. Just like yours. No need to throw your toys out of your pram.

It's simply an opinion. Just like yours. No need to throw your toys out of your pram.😂
Who rattled your cage!
This is getting as mental as anything😂😂
The sooner this bonkers thread fills up the better!!

Hi all, OP here.

I’m so pleased to see that 55% agree that I was not unreasonable to keep the table for myself.

The supportive comments have been much appreciated.

It took less than that for brexit.

It's official. Yadnbu.

Correction:
55% of those who are able to vote agree with you.

I would have said, yes you are if there wasn't any other table and you were taking up 6 spaces.

Thanks @AnarchoTyrannosaurus for being one of the most eloquent voices of reason on this thread and for dealing with the bat-shit minority with great skill and humour.

credit also due to @mainsfed for sterling work in keeping the crazies at bay.

You are thanking the person with the most uptight, intolerant, ‘batshit’ and antisocial comments on the thread. Perhaps you two should share a table together and try and learn to relax ;-)

And a useful lesson to learn as a grownup is that the majority view is not always the correct one. Have a think about that!

So people who don;'t agree are batshit, lol.

Yeah I would not like to share a table with you I must say, you sound a bit like someone who loves to sit in your own private echo chambre, next time maybe don't leave it to occupy a table of 6 for yourself.

I prefer to avoid sharing tables with random ppl and unless the premises offered small tables, I’d have no compunction telling others that I was not sharing my table if it was a larger table

I am amazed and disappointed that 55% of people here seem to think that it's absolutely OK and in fact NORMAL to go to an eatery or a Pub where the proprietors are offering as their seating PICNIC BENCHES...yes benches, NOT TABLES as the OP is careful to keep misleadingly saying and expect to be able to sit alone!!! 🙄Picnic BENCHES have been used so that the number of customers can be MAXIMISED at any one time.
If it had been actual proper tables and not picnic benches I wonder if the OP would still think it OK to monopolise a large 6 SEATER TABLE for herself because of her 'socialising anxieties'? If so a member of staff would probably have politely asked her to sit at a smaller table which is what normally happens and is completely understandable? It's business pure and simple and if customers don't like it they are free to go elsewhere!! 😳I simply can't get my head around the fact that she even needs to ask if she is being unreasonable!! 😠

@Cariadm I don't think it is the expectation at all that if somewhere has picnic benches you need to share. They are just normal outside furniture that doesn't need to be taken in. I've literally never been in a busy pub and been asked to share a picnic bench. In fact they are more awkward to share than a normal six seater table because of how you need to sit at them.

And yet I’m amazed that people think the customer sitting there first has to share their space against their wishes.

Almost like people can have different opinions (without capital letters…)

Thanks @AnarchoTyrannosaurus for being one of the most eloquent voices of reason on this thread and for dealing with the bat-shit minority with great skill and humour.

PMSL the funniest post on the thread. 😆You're serious too aren't you. LMFAO!!! 😆

@ShirleyEyeRosebud

Thanks @AnarchoTyrannosaurus for being one of the most eloquent voices of reason on this thread and for dealing with the bat-shit minority with great skill and humour.

PMSL the funniest post on the thread. 😆You're serious too aren't you. LMFAO!!! 😆

Thank you. <takes a bow> 🤣

Oy. Don't steal my moment. 🤣

It's fine. We'll sit at adjacent tables. One each. 👍

It was a democratic vote.

I wouldn't have minded sharing, if it's busy that's what people do.

if it's busy that's what people do.

It's not what the majority do...

I've been in cafes in London on a table for two and either people have allowed me to share it or I've shared it with them when it's been packed.

It was no big deal, I was reading my book, they were on their laptop/surfing on their phone and we both got to have a seat have a drink without any awkwardness.

On one occasion I had someone call me over as they could see no tables were free and said I could have the other seat.

Sharing a table to have a drink while reading or on laptop isn’t the same situation as having a relaxing brunch.

Wouldn’t you be reading as part of the relaxing brunch though? I’m always on my Kindle if I’m somewhere on my own.