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.

some of these comments are blowing my mind. Never have I ever not sat at the table put down my coat and bag then got up to queue! Even in maccies.

who risks getting food and then not having somewhere to sit

Don't most cafes have table numbers? All food establishments I've ever been in have table numbers even if orders are taken at the table.

I've never worked in hospitality but surely they need to know how the food and customers are linked, otherwise do you not get random yells of food orders?

What did she think the people in the queue were going to do?

Unless she thought they had grabbed a table

That doesn't always work, though, as people will just move your stuff over and sit down anyway.

How do I do that if I'm on my own?

I think she just wanted the table and it was her way of clearing it! When I said it was my table and she’d have to find somewhere else she made a big point of there was nowhere else to sit and what was she supposed to do. (She hadn’t ordered at that point and I had, I’d already reserved the table, and it wasn’t big enough to share with her and her kids)

What a cheeky monkey!

Depends. If it is a cafe where if you order a sandwich or panini you have to give them a table number and they bring it to you, then yes ok to find a table and then join the queue.

If it is a cafe where you order and everything is handed to you on a tray there and then, then no usually you find a table after.

Exactly... I don't assess a queue and assume people's intentions. I look for a table, put my coat or whatever there and then order, as other pp have said, why would I risk then not getting a seat.

Do people really expect a whole family to stand in line? Rather than sensibly sitting down figuring who wants what and one person going to order?

With kids I'd do the same as you and no guilt

It depends on the cafe, I think. Most don't make it clear what their system is.

Ideally, there should be a sign saying "Table service", "Please queue up before finding a seat", or "Please take a seat and then order at the counter".

I'd say, whatever you decide, keep your decision well away from Mumsnet.

No good ever comes of admitting, either way, on Mumsnet, as you can see!

Put your coat/scarf on the back of the chair and if poss, glasses or something on the table. I was solo today and did this. Went to the counter to order and she asked which table. Good job I had one!

We are a family of six (kids and adults) we avoid all six of us queuing as that really doesn't make sense to me. Two of us go to place the order while the others sit at the table. If there are no tables available, we would go somewhere else

Some people think of themselves. Some have consideration for others.

The OP is in a group though, with 2 children. If you’re on your own I suppose you’d put your coat on a chair or something?

Exactly this. And it's clear to see who is who!

Why would someone dream of moving someone else's stuff to sit down? That is rude.

As long as everyone in the cafe is doing the same thing it doesn’t really matter (although I prefer finding a table first).

I do think cafes should all have policies about this and let people know as they enter what they should do.

Yes you put a coat on the chair, but it can be a bit of a nerve-racking time in the the queue though hoping your stuff hasn’t been moved or pinched when you’re away….

😂

Because some people are entitled wankers and count on the fact most people don’t like confrontation and will just accept it.