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.

Always table first. There’s no way I’m queuing to buy food only to find I have no where to eat it! I do it whether I’m alone or with other people. When I’m alone I’m happy to share a table, I just dump all my stuff on a seat and go back to it. just seems insane to spend lots of money on food only to find yourself lingering with a tray, waiting for a seat to become free whilst everything is getting cold

It's not worth worrying about. It's first come first served. If they wanted the table that much , one of them could have sat down while the other one ordered. Forget it.

Neither is it Birmingham

YANBU, I always parked coats & kids at a table then went up to order. I’d assume everyone in the queue ahead of me was doing the same thing.

If it hasn't got a sign it's not that sort of place.

No it's not, who says they weren't going back to another table.

Or getting takeaway

I would always sit down and then decide what to eat/drink. I would have looked around and checked no one was going to sit there first though.

Why would you order food and drinks when you don't have anywhere to sit? I work in a cafe and people will always take a seat, place their coats on the chair then go up to order. Most places need a table number or will give you a number for them to bring the food to you.

Common sense says get a table first.
It's ridiculous to get a tray of food and then wander around looking for a free table.

Seen this lots of times in the buffet on cruise ships..People wandering around holding trays piled up with food going cold..glaring at people who have finished eating but not finished their drink. Chief offenders were couples who took up a table for four..

I don't think you were unreasonable.

In my experience most people secure a table before ordering in any cafe.

The only exception would be a food court type environment where there's loads of tables and a high turnover of customers, so you know you won't be waiting long if you don't find one straight away.

We used to go quite regularly to a local pub restaurant that didn’t take bookings; you put your name down on arrival and had a drink in the bar until they called you. My mother was cringingly embarrassing every time as she marched over to any empty table and plonked herself down dragging us kids behind. We’d always be asked to move as people had been waiting for that table and she always refused to vacate the table. Think it scarred me for life; I’ve never dared go back.

It’s a nightmare when you’re on your own knowing that any available tables will have people sitting at then by the time you get to the front of the queue. I don’t think you were wrong though. I think there’s a flaw in the system and each eating establishment needs to have rules around it or else accept people are going to get shirty.

When in a busy self serve cafe, people should always get a table first. I've never known anyone to do it the other way round.

We never eat anywhere unless we have a table just like you did

I'm with the OP all day long and even longer than that

I always find a table and leave something on it then get food. How can it be any other way?! Why queue and pay then have nowhere to sit?!

Table first. The only time I've ever seen anything different there has been a sign to explain.

Fine not but but then getting mad at others for not using your system is crackers.

They’d obviously been waiting for a table and you just walked in, didn’t asked to be seated and sat down. I’m in the business and this really grates in me. I would have got up and apologised.

YANBU. Claim a table first, then you order.

You wouldn't drive into a car park, pay for a P&D ticket, and then complain that you can't find any spaces.

You've no evidence for this assertion. There is nothing in the OP that suggests this is a managed seating cafe. The strong implication is that its a queue for food arrangement.

If you run a business that seats people from the door or expects people to buy food before sitting down then just communicate this clearly to customers rather than moaning that customers are not psychic.

What do you mean “didn’t ask to be seated”? Presumably it isn’t a “wait here to be seated” sort of place?!

YABU it was impolite to take a table without checking with staff, and then to further compound it by not offering the table to the family waiting was just rude.

‘Presumed’? so I’m presuming it is and your not. What’s the difference. I’ve just sold my cafe, and when busy would table control and would expect people to just come and sit down when it’s obvious other people were waiting. Also never ever sit on a dirty table unless it’s McDonald’s etc.

Maybe not psychic but have a bit of common sense. It was full, she was aware of people standing getting food, where did she think they were going to sit. I just think she did survival of the fittest which isn’t always the polite thing to do. I’ve seen it all

Don’t be silly. The ‘wait here to be seated’ places literally have a sign that says just that! Is this your first day on earth?!

I always get a table first, leave DC sat there with bags while I order.
you got the table and it’s just
too bad on them.