Conversation happening around me in cafe

[DuchyCazalet]

Took a table in the cafe, table to the right was already taken by a man reading a newspaper. Table to the left taken by a woman who obviously knows the guy to the right of me and they’ve started having a full on conversation. Why she didn’t just sit at his table as there was a free seat there, I don’t know. But surely it’s rude to be doing this. I’m on my own, trying to read my book

She does have a friend with her, who has been texting on her phone

Ask if they want to swap?

I mean go to the library if you want to
read in silence

Ask if either of them wants to swap table.

So you want them sat in silence?

YANBU, it's really rude to talk over someone if they are not involved in the conversation.

I would have slightly pointedly asked one of them if they wanted to swap seats.

...say something.

Try reading the OP again.

@wp65 no thanks

No, presumably just not to talk across her, or for them to sit at the same table to enjoy their conversation.

Stirling contribution.

YANBU.

There is also a special place in hell reserved for those couples who book the aisle and window seat in a three-seat configuration aircraft, leaving the middle seat empty and then proceed to spend the whole flight talking across the poor sod sitting in between them.

What sort of couples book the window and aisle seat leaving a gap between them? People with an imaginary friend? People who have lost weight between booking and flying?

Apparently it's people who hope that no one will book the middle seat and that they will have the whole row to themselves.

Optimistic people who hope no one will book the middle seat thus giving the couple more room.
In the event someone does book the middle seat then the (now sad) couple should offer to swap.

Join in.

Someone on a train shouted to ‘everyone’ on the quiet section on a train I was on, saying ‘this man has just told me off for being too noisy - who else thinks I am?’
So I said ‘I do and I disagree that your friend should have to pay for….’ (The loud phone call).
She shut up after that.

Brilliant!

no, she wants 2 people not to talk across her as if she's invisible, because it's damn rude and disrespectful to do that to someone.

Wow, such intellect being shown here!

YANBU OP - if the conversation went on for more than 20 seconds though I would have asked if one of them wanted to swap.

Strat by nodding and making appreciative noises, then join in.

If they are happy to talk like this you might was well join in.

Or pretend someone is calling you, and ask them to hold on for a bit because you don't want to miss anything in their riveting conversation.

You are my hero!