Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if this is cultural?

51 replies

SpeedbirdSquawker · 27/11/2023 08:30

I sat down this morning in a massive Wetherspoons. It has lots of little rooms off of the main room.

I was the only customer in there, ordered my breakfast and sat down. A few minutes later, a man strolls in and sits at the very next table to me. What?! This has happened to me before but in a smaller place. I mean, he has about 5 other empty rooms to choose from and he chose mine. The table right next to mine too.

OP posts:
Venomous · 27/11/2023 08:32

Dunno. He thought the empty rooms were potentially not open, and thought that a room with someone already eating in there was ok?

Zamzamzamdeedah · 27/11/2023 08:33

It's same like car parks. People tend to park next to others even with plenty free spaces

AutumnBride · 27/11/2023 08:34

I'm not sure it's cultural, some people will park right next to the only car in an empty car park, it's just how they are.

Original poster
SpeedbirdSquawker · 27/11/2023 08:35

All rooms had doors open and light on. All looked open. He also sat facing me too. I moved. Eggs are slippery enough to eat without a stranger opposite me.

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 27/11/2023 08:35

Well people normally just sit where there is a seat nearest them, I don't know what you are "whatting" about its just a seat.

Original poster
SpeedbirdSquawker · 27/11/2023 08:36

@Mrsjayy the seat wasn't the nearest to him.

OP posts:
Namenumber3 · 27/11/2023 08:38

It’s odd isn’t it. Cafes, car parks, beaches. I suppose it’s a bit herd animal and as a previous poster said it stops people having to think for themselves ( someone else is doing it/ is there first so it must be ok) .

mondaytosunday · 27/11/2023 08:38

I might sit near (not next to) in a mainly empty room as I just think it's easier for the wait staff. And why do people go out for breakfast? To be in the company of other humans, whether they interact or not.

CatamaranViper · 27/11/2023 08:40

Maybe he always sits there or you were in 'his' seat? People are creatures of habit. I see the same people sat in the same seats on the bus most mornings. If a 'new' person gets on and sits in someone's seat, you can see the pause and hesitation from the regular and they'll often end up sat right next to them.

WandaWonder · 27/11/2023 08:40

Sure a little little odd but it's life there could be a million reasons why how would we know?

Kucinghitam · 27/11/2023 08:40

I have a theory that there are two types of people: those who try to find the spot furthest away from others, and those who try to find the spot closest to others.

And thus, hilarity ensues.

Allthebeaches · 27/11/2023 08:40

People go out to eat to spend time in the company of others - maybe not conversing, but the possibility of a chat is what pubs are all about - for some. I think if you want to eat alone a pub is probably not the best choice.

ChatBFP · 27/11/2023 08:41

I guess maybe the man thought that this might be the best/easiest place to get served/found when his food arrived. Or wanted to make things easier for the staff?

Danikm151 · 27/11/2023 08:43

This is similar in the gym at times. Plenty of empty machines but someone goes onto the one right next to you.
on a bus- plenty of empty seats and they sit next to you
toilets- going in the stall right next to you when others are free. I get stage fright!

There’s an unwritten rule about personal space and some people either don’t know it or choose to ignore it.

Elastica23 · 27/11/2023 08:46

I sometimes park next to other cars if it's a less lonely part of the car park as I have to come back on my own later. Or if it's nearer wherever I'm going, I'm not going to park further away just because there are already a few cars there.

Lifeinlists · 27/11/2023 08:47

I think it's called flocking ie like birds gathering together. I'm with you OP, it would irritate me too.

bombastix · 27/11/2023 08:48

Danikm151 · 27/11/2023 08:43

This is similar in the gym at times. Plenty of empty machines but someone goes onto the one right next to you.
on a bus- plenty of empty seats and they sit next to you
toilets- going in the stall right next to you when others are free. I get stage fright!

There’s an unwritten rule about personal space and some people either don’t know it or choose to ignore it.

Absolutely agree. It's extremely annoying

Bogeyes · 27/11/2023 08:48

Wierdo

Elastica23 · 27/11/2023 08:50

Danikm151 · 27/11/2023 08:43

This is similar in the gym at times. Plenty of empty machines but someone goes onto the one right next to you.
on a bus- plenty of empty seats and they sit next to you
toilets- going in the stall right next to you when others are free. I get stage fright!

There’s an unwritten rule about personal space and some people either don’t know it or choose to ignore it.

The machines in gyms are not sandwiched together that you can't have adequate personal space when you are next to someone else. The toilet one I would be thinking which toilet is clean (if there is a choice) rather than whether it's next to someone.

I also don't think there's anything wrong with sitting on the next table to someone else. Sitting at their table when others are free would be odd.

HeddaGarbled · 27/11/2023 08:52

It was the sadness of being one of only two people eating a solitary breakfast in a vast Wetherspoons.

Thepeopleversuswork · 27/11/2023 08:59

I share your dislike of people who choose to sit right next to you when there's plenty of available space but why is this "cultural"? Is "cultural" some shorthand for an observation about his ethnicity or class?

I'm uncomfortable with blokes (in particular) who don't respect women's space. I find it entitled and presumptous. But I don't know what your getting at with this "cultural" remark (which you haven't explained).

VickyEadieofThigh · 27/11/2023 09:02

AutumnBride · 27/11/2023 08:34

I'm not sure it's cultural, some people will park right next to the only car in an empty car park, it's just how they are.

A woman I used to work with went to Sainsbury's very early and hers was only the second vehicle in the car park. For no reason she could give when telling the story, she decided to park right alongside this other vehicle (a large van).

She hit it.

MrsGalloway · 27/11/2023 09:05

I don’t think it’s cultural and I have heard of flocking. People do it on beaches as well, I like to walk miles to get to an empty bit and then find that as soon as you get all set up someone comes and sets up camp right next to you.

KingsleyBorder · 27/11/2023 09:07

People tend to avoid restaurants that are empty. You know, you look in the window, see nobody and think “nah”. So clearly people like eating with other people. What do you mean by “cultural”? Is this a veiled question about race?

SisterMichaelsHabit · 27/11/2023 09:10

What is cultural about this? Was he singing an opera while waiting for his eggs?

Swipe left for the next trending thread