VOTE: Was it unreasonable to take the table?

[MindfulGrateful]

A follow on from previous thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5006398-was-it-unreasonable-to-take-the-table

YABU: order first is best
YANBU: reserve a table, then order

I'm voting YANBU

I thought it was standard for one person to get the table, the other one to queue up.
Otherwise you could be standing around with your food/drink and no table to eat it at.

Ahh the age old MN argument.

I'm always going to secure somewhere to eat my food before ordering it.

If others don't want to do that, that's their prerogative and their own stupidity.

I know this is a divisive subject but there is no way I am ordering food without a guaranteed place to sit and eat it. Cafes should understand this and have a system
If a café has signs which say order first I just don't eat there (unless it is pretty empty) .

I think it’s fine to reserve a table and then go up to order but if someone has ordered before you and there are no tables left, you need to give it to them.

Can we all agree to abide by the results of the poll? Then this argument can be settled once and for all. Perhaps there could be a government announcement to let everyone know?

Table first. Anything else has the potential to cause mayhem, particularly if you're out with the whole family.

Hahaha this was exactly what I was hoping for! We need a blanket rule!

It's not always possible to get a table first such as line parent with young children or those with additional needs that couldn't just be left at the table. For this reason I prefer table service cafes.

As a single person I've given up on busy cafes with long queues. I have no means of ensuring that I can sit down when I finally get my tray of food.

Huh? It’s their choice not to reserve a table before they order - if they’re silly enough to do that then that’s on them. If I’ve got young kids with me and there is a free table I am sitting at the table regardless of who is fannying about in the queue. And no I’d never move someone’s belongings if they had reserved the table.

Nope, that's their own lookout.

When I order food I make sure I have somewhere to sit and eat.

Just like when I book a holiday, I book the flight and the hotel together.

I don't jump on a plane and hope I'll have somewhere to sleep when I arrive.

😂 Excellent analogy

reserve a table first, but please respect belongings left by single people trying to do the same!!!

I have always just left a coat or something on thr table.

i am not going to risk being with my son with additional needs and a tray of food with nowhere to go when we have it!

We were in a very busy cafe today, a long queue for tables, they seat you then take your order.

One man entered the cafe and asked could he sit at the empty table, to which the waitress said no you need to queue, like everyone else.

He said my wife has queued, to which she answered no she hasn't you've just arrived and I heard her tell you to go and grab the table!

Get in the queue, he came out muttering and moaning and then did have the decency to leave the premises as he was embarrassed.

I have always just left a coat or something on thr table.

How do you work it so it doesn't get stolen, though?

One sits, one orders, and if more of you - divide and conquer the rest as you see fit!

In busy places I've had people come and just sit at the table if only 1 person at it while others order, so wouldn't trust that someone wouldn't just discard coat elsewhere.

table first then order. then you can give the table number.

You aren’t responsible if people are being idiots and ordering food without a guaranteed table. why would the whole table of people need to queue and order anyway?

One way you're stupid, the other you are inconsiderate. I would say it was a lose:lose situation, but only one attribute guarantees you a table.

I wouldn't buy for of unless I knew there was a table! I always grab one first unless it's really quiet

Best analogy yet 🤣🤣