Was it unreasonable to take the table

[user17382]

Out with Dm today and my young DC's. There is a particular cafe that we really like and hadn't visited for a while. Went in and there were not tables so we said we would do some more shopping and then come back to see if any were free. Went back about 30 mins later and we see a table of 4. So we went straight to it and sat down/took coats off etc and went up to order.

At this point we realised a couple at the counter were complaining about us to the waitress. Apparently they had been about to sit at our table and as it was the last one available in there they now had nowhere to sit. Staff were very good and moved things around to get them some chairs but they spent the whole time in there tutting and giving us dirty looks.

My logic is that when going in to somewhere busy we always find a table first and then order. If we waited in line with the kids and then went to find a table and couldn't get one we would be stuck as the kids are too young to take the food or drink as takeout. But then I did feel really uncomfortable and that maybe we did something wrong.

THis happens a lot and is frustrating if you are on your own as you can’t be in 2 places at once. It’s up to the cafe to make it clear - first you order or first get a table - they should have reserved signs that you can put on the table if on your own

She’s not a mind reader - they could have been sat at another table, with a group, or getting takeaway. It’s common sense that you get your table, to ensure there is space to eat there, and then order food. Yes, even as a single person! I would always put my coat on the chair, hat/book on the table etc.If there’s no space there is no point me ordering, and I’ll move on.

Haha! This 🤣

Oh come off it. She knew perfectly well it was buy food and then go to a table.

Table first then food. In contrast to other people on the thread I think the other way round is anti social - food then table assumes there will be a free table and if there isn’t you make it someone else’s problem. Ie pressure on others to vacate their table.

Table first means you’ve ensured you can buy and eat your food, and if no tables are available, and you can’t wait, you go elsewhere without drama.

This comes up again and again on MN and seems very divisive.

I completely agree with you, I would never order before securing a table.

If there's lots people ahead of you in the queue you could never be sure you'd get a table. It's madness.

Omg you're right. How did I miss the majority of 231 saying otherwise 😂😂. Also, so? Her family were ordering and paying to be there and prepared for that to happen

Op, mind reader that you obviously are, can you let me know the lottery numbers too when you get chance 😂

I don't understand why anyone would order without establishing they have a table to sit at first.

If the place is fairly busy but there are a couple of tables free and the queue is quite long, how am I supposed to assess whether there'll be any tables free by the time I've paid for my food? Do I have to work out how many parties there are ahead of me? (Entire parties must surely be queuing in this scenario, so I may have to ask them all who's with who.) If there are more parties than free tables, must I then interrogate currently seated parties to find out if anyone will be leaving in the time it takes me to get to the front? If I get to the front and realise there are no seats free as my order is being placed in front of me, do I flip the tray over, fling my cheesecake at the person behind the counter and run flailing from the café without paying?

If we go to a busy cafe and see a free table we go get it then someone goes up to que and order food/drinks. I'd never stand in a queue to order eat in food somewhere busy without having bagged a table first. If there is no space we go somewhere else. And no I don't feel at all guilty going and snagging the last table. Snooze you lose

Except they could be joining people who got served right before them and already sitting at a table.
With children, I would always get a table first, then go up and order for the table.

Table first then food definitely! Unless the place is quiet enough. I had a sit-in coffee on my own the other week and checked there were sufficient tables before I ordered - sometimes I’ll leave my coat etc if I have to. Why would anyone order without having somewhere to sit 🥲

But how did OP know they didn’t already have a table?

Table first, then food. Otherwise you’re wandering around with a tray and your food’s getting cold. YANBU OP.

Table first of I'm on my own with son or daughter (severe autism) I leave our coats or a jacket on the chairs. It's not safe for them if I leave them sat alone unless the table is right next to the counter.

I refuse to order food then stand around like a twat with a tray full of food and nowhere to sit.

But you are making others be 'twats' if you hog a table first while they are queueing.

No because there is no reason they can’t too do the sensible thing of making sure they have a seat before ordering food.

I hate these threads. It brings out the really peculiar people who are happy to queue with all their kids, shopping, elderly relatives etc, and only THEN glance around for a table.

It’s so mental. Claim a table and then order.

Table first. Then order.

If you for some insane reason do it the other way around, we can’t be held responsible for you standing there with a loaded tray like a dope.

If you join the queue without a table you are running the risk of not having one when you get your food, in which case you need to take it away.

I am really shocked at the posts here.

I think it's okay to grab a table first IF there are loads of free tables AND there is no queue at the counter for food.

I think it's selfish and wrong to grab the last table if you come into a cafe and there are already people standing at the counter waiting for their food and they have not grabbed a table.

Maybe it's a generational thing because I am guessing that the table hoggers are a lot younger than me.

I've also never seen a sign saying take a table before buying food.
I think some people might benefit from a trip to Specsavers.
Most cafes say 'Please only take a table when you have bought your food'.

Many cafés have signs saying don't behave like selfish brats by baggsying tables.

Oh and I don't think there's anything wrong in moving coats and bags dumped to hog a table. They can't be that important if you're happy to dump them unattended in somewhere which isn't a cloakroom

If you for some insane reason do it the other way around, we can’t be held responsible for you standing there with a loaded tray like a dope.

You are responsible.

It's the very simple rule of first into the cafe, first dibs at a table.

The queue at the counter is the guide.Those people were there before you. They have the right to a table.

I hope some table grabbers have their coats moved by the people queueing on the basis they were 'a dope' for taking a table when they didnt have any food!

“selfish brats” 😂

An excellent little cafe near me actually says quite plainly upon entry, “find a table, then order.”

Because the staff have better things to do then accommodate the stroppy oddballs who commit to eating and drinking somewhere without checking to see they can actually sit down first.

Maybe it's a generational thing because I am guessing that the table hoggers are a lot younger than me.

How old are you? My grandparents always used to do the table thing and they’d all be well over 100 by now… my mother still does and she’s in her 70s.

Most cafes say 'Please only take a table when you have bought your food'.

Not the ones where I live, and most people seem to disagree with you, so have you considered you are the outlier here?

The queue at the counter is the guide.Those people were there before you. They have the right to a table.

Yes, at best they're either too stupid to work that out. Or if not too stupid, then just selfish.