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.

It makes NO sense whatsoever to queue for food then look for a table. I'm not hovering around with my tray of food looking for somewhere to sit 🙄🙄

If it's warmer, so warm there's not even a cardigan to leave, you'd just have to go to a beer garden that's table service. Far too stressful otherwise.

It's pretty normal round here to grab a table before ordering food, especially if you're a couple or family.
I wouldn't consider it rude at all.
If there's a free table, it's a free table.

Surely people who are in the cafe before you should get a table first ?

Yep. I'm with you 100%

One of the couple should have grabbed that table if the cafe was busy.

No harm done, there was enough wiggle room to seat them. It would have been harder trying to do this with a 4

How do you know who that is? People ahead of you in the queue might have already got a table.

I think the rise of places like Nando's has made it normal for people to get a table first.

I do feel bad for the couple but I suspct everyone else did what OP did - grab a table first.

Some cafe do have table numbers - our local M&S cafe, bowling place and a few independents. In other places staff asks you when you are ordering food: Where are you sitting? So it seems that they assume that you find table first and order second. It’s very tricky as if you are on your own or with a small child you may end up with a tray of coffee and cakes and no space, I’ve been there unfortunately.
Since then I go to a place only if there is a chance of a table. A few times I went out of the queue in the middle as the prospect of getting a table was very bleak.

I didn't say I would, but I've seen it happen multiple times to other people.

I'm not taking the dc up to pay and I'm not risking standing there for ages with kids and a trey of food so we find a table first. It's not my fault if some people don't have the sense to find a table before ordering if a place is busy

One would have thought so, but apparently not.

I wouldn't order food and drinks without knowing i had a place to eat and drink them.

Maybe there were loads of tables when they arrived and they filled up with people who hadn't bought anything yet.

But why is that the fault of other people? Everyone there is intending to do the same thing, it's not like they are sitting there to spite people

I've never once ever seen that happen, maybe where I'm from people have better manners.

I'd always get a table before food, I generally park DC/coats at the table before ordering. The other way round is mad.

I went to an RHS place recently with a large cafe. You're encouraged to find a table and then go to the counter and order. They have laminated signs on a table as you go in that say something like "This table is reserved by a customer currently at the counter " which people on their own can use.
They do ask that wherever possible people occupy tables of an appropriate size for their party.

I agree. Also, plonk the kids, coats, bags at the table, then I can go up and order hands-free

But then you risk having to stand there with your tray like a lemon for ages whilst a table vacates.

It's not, I'm just explaining why they may not have bothered reversing a table themselves.

Nah, sucks for them but they can sod off with their tutting and dagger glares.

This is one of those that always divides people. It’s why it’s helpful if the venue has clear “please find a table before ordering” style signs to make it clear.

this.

Same here, I don't see the point of ordering anything until you have a table.
Besides, many food places insist on a table number, or knowing where you're sat, before even ordering food.

Depends. All the canteen style garden centers near me have signs up that say "please order before sitting"