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.

Why are people not understanding other pps very detailed posts giving plenty of scenarios where you would have to ask everyone in the queue if they'd already got a table, if they were ordering takeaway etcetera before deciding personally to sit at a free and vacant table. It's not a sensible plan

I have seen many more cafes that tell people to get a table before ordering. That way people know they have somewhere to eat!

You can't declare she was in the wrong full stop 😂 a lot of people as this thread illustrates, see it as common sense to prepare yourself before leaving yourself in a position of nowhere to sit

I ca declare it wrong and I have.
Prepare yourself?

That's a laugh!

Jumping the queue, more like it 😂

It's common cheekiness.

You do understand the simple fact that the person who came in before you, and didn't grab a table first, is likely to be left with a tray of food and nowhere to sit?

Surely it’s select a table and then go order. If you’re on your own you out your coat on a chair. You can’t risk ordering food and then not having a seat!

@Sirzy I have never, ever seen one saying that.

Same.

Most places I’ve been to recently haven’t had any signs at all, but those that do have signs always say to get a table before ordering.

Table first, then order. Only logical way.

Mcdonalds isn't a cafe though. It's a fast food restaurant

And that's their fault. As I've said, everyone is there for the same reason, to pay to use the same facility, with the exact same end result. If people want to get their food first, that's their prerogative, but you can't call people who think ahead wrong and your way is superior, as evidenced by this thread. If you enjoy wandering around like a lost duckling wishing you had a table.... Prepare yourself

I think posters are making things up to try to condone their own behaviour.

It's very bad form to grab a table when there may only be a couple left and there are already several people at the counter (who haven't bagged a seat first.)

It's called queueing.
Something that Britain is supposed to be good at.

or was.

And that's their fault.

No, it's called queuing.

They were there first.

Is that too hard to grasp?

I've never seen anyone in a cafe holding their whole families food with their family stood with them and nowhere to sit!

I have a pram, a baby and another dc usually with me. I prefer waitress service, but I would not even think of ordering anything without parking the children and the crap and checking I can have a highchair. Then I go to get food.

If there are 2 people one sits at the table the other orders the food, that way people know the table is occupied. The table was empty the couple could have been buying food to take away.

Yes, they were there first so they could have got a table before OP did. They clearly chose not to.

Put it this way, if I walked into a cafe as a couple, one of us would bag a table and the other would go up to order. If others arrived I'd say I was waiting for one person who's ordering and they are welcome to take the extra 2 seats.
If they chose to assume the table would be free for them without either of them 'claiming' even part of it, then they are in the wrong to moan about you. It wasn't their table any more than it was yours. In fact it was more yours as you were occupying it. Plus you had 4 people so they must have known they couldn't expect a table of 4 to themselves.

I never understand these threads.

Everyone I have ever been out to a cafe or restaurant with has always suggested going and looking for a table before ordering.

And I see strangers doing exactly the same.

Majority of people do this, so if you don't you're going to miss out on a table.

If there's two of you, one goes to get a table while the other one orders.

If you're on your own you go and put a coat or whatever there first and then go and order.

Where's the logic in ordering first and then hoping for a table, it makes zero sense!

Table first, then food. I don't want to drink my coffee standing up which has happened before when I've ordered a drink before finding a table only to realise the cafe is completely full.

Not too hard to grasp, no. I and plenty here just disagree, which is fine. Again, when you start queuing, do you go to the front, ask the first person their plan for their order - are they already part of a seated party, are they taking it away - and slowly make your way to the end asking every individual their seating arrangement? No, because that's ridiculous? Righto

If you go into a cafe and there is ONE table left, and you grab it, while there are people queueing to be served, you deserve all the dirty looks you get.

It's bad form and although you might smuggly believe (and try to blame them for not getting table first) it's okay, well, it's not.

It's selfish and bad manners.

As the OP clearly discovered today.

the main thing i was suggesting was by giving you a number at the till for your table that's then associated with your table then the tables themselves dont need specific numbers so you could que get a number from the counter then use a table without needing a table number to begin with and stealing a table from other customers

I say table first, then order.

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

So is that a no, you wouldnt do what I just gave as a scenario then, or?

She did. I hope her and her family had a lovely lunch 😂

You must live in a nice super safe area that unattended belongings don't get swiped!!

I put my jacket on the table to show it's taken if I'm on my own.