Page 23 | sitting in costa coffee

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 2024-12-14T15:26:05+00:00

Went to costa coffee ordered drinks, sandwiches & cake. Myself & partner said we will eat in rather than take away. Place was full most seats were taken apart from a four seater table where some woman was sat. I asked if the seats on her table were taken and she said we can not sit on her table as she is with her DS. In the end a chinese couple offered their seats and we eventually got a seat. AIBU expecting a seat on womans table for me and my partner as no one was sat in them?

NovemberMorn · 15/12/2024 16:28

WearyAuldWumman · 14/12/2024 20:44

It's one of few socially acceptable ways of being able to sit, take your time and watch the world go by. It's also a a way of being able to get a snack without having to organise it for yourself - it can be a treat to perk yourself up.

Or are people on their own not allowed to have this?

I agree with you 100%.
I am not alone, but me and husband visit Costa quite a lot, plus garden centre coffee bars. It's a lovely way to pass time, get a good coffee, a nice snack, and if you are in the mood, a nice interaction with someone, whether they are sat at your table or not.

Viviennemary · 15/12/2024 16:37

Nolegusta · 14/12/2024 15:36

YABU.
She got there first and doesn't have to share her table with two random people!
As for the 'chinese couple', why is their ethnicity relevant?

Edited

The seats were not taken. You should have just sat on them if no others were available

GoldsolesLugs · 15/12/2024 16:50

Noshowlomo · 15/12/2024 15:59

Have you all seen that horrible video of that man completely intruding on those womens personal space on a public park bench, and refusing to move?
All the people on here who said they’d plonk themselves down regardless of what the person who was already sitting at that table before you said, well, you ARE that man.
Well done

Let me guess - we're practising coercive control on the woman? Only took 22 pages but we got here in the end 😂

GoldsolesLugs · 15/12/2024 16:52

Kitkat1523 · 15/12/2024 13:25

You been getting this wrong your whole adult life my lovely, so I will educate you….what you do is look to see if there’s a table……bag the said table…..someone sit at said table whilst other person orders…..if you on your own then put coat or other item on table …..order food ….sit at table…..this is then YOUR table until you get up to leave……this is English etiquette in coffee shops…..no chance of a table, then jog on to the next coffee table…..any one asking to sit at a taken table is a rude and entitled an …… and can expect short shrift from the tables occupant, for their fucking bad manners

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Someone's definitely getting something wrong here.......good grief.

Kitkat1523 · 15/12/2024 17:40

GoldsolesLugs · 15/12/2024 16:52

Someone's definitely getting something wrong here.......good grief.

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Yes you 😊

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 17:56

Manara · 15/12/2024 15:09

In all honesty I don't think it happens that often so I don't know why so many people are getting in a lather about it!

Erm, you’re the one who has posted several posts with sentences in all capitals

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And? I don't believe I did that "several" times but scroll on if it bothers you.

I don't give a shite about the original point but it's frustrating trying to deal with some of the absolute bollocks being posted here - cafe's aren't public places ffs!!! That's utterly ridiculous!

wombat15 · 15/12/2024 18:05

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 14:30

Quite honestly, I don't care. I have mobility issues and can't stand for long periods of time.

I don't frequent coffee shops very often but I think it's selfish, rude and entitled to insist that people should stand so that one person can sit like Lady Muck on their own.

In all honesty I don't think it happens that often so I don't know why so many people are getting in a lather about it!

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If you have mobility issues why would you risk not getting a seat in the first place? If the cafe is busy you have no way of knowing whether there will be a spare seat after queuing regardless of whether you are happy to impose on other people by insisting on sitting at their table.. I have have mobility issues and there is no way I would risk have to stand with coffee and cake plus crutches if all seats were taken. I reserve a seat first as I am sure you would too if you really do have mobility issues.

GoldenSunflowers · 15/12/2024 18:08

This hogging of tables is a very insular “etiquette”.

GoldsolesLugs · 15/12/2024 18:25

Kitkat1523 · 15/12/2024 17:40

Yes you 😊

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Good one, you told me!

Kitkat1523 · 15/12/2024 18:26

GoldenSunflowers · 15/12/2024 18:08

This hogging of tables is a very insular “etiquette”.

It’s what happens in every coffee shop I have ever frequented…..I mean why the fuck would you order food in a busy establishment, knowing there’s no tables🤷‍♀️🙄

WearyAuldWumman · 15/12/2024 18:32

Kitkat1523 · 15/12/2024 18:26

It’s what happens in every coffee shop I have ever frequented…..I mean why the fuck would you order food in a busy establishment, knowing there’s no tables🤷‍♀️🙄

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I think that the etiquette has changed over the years. I don't recall people doing this in the '60s and '70s, unless a member of the group was disabled, very elderly or looking after infants.

Of course, if there were no empty tables when you went in then you simply didn't order...but in those days you didn't normally have someone booking a seat in - for example - a store café, whereas I do see people doing this nowadays.

ilovesooty · 15/12/2024 18:47

wombat15 · 15/12/2024 18:05

If you have mobility issues why would you risk not getting a seat in the first place? If the cafe is busy you have no way of knowing whether there will be a spare seat after queuing regardless of whether you are happy to impose on other people by insisting on sitting at their table.. I have have mobility issues and there is no way I would risk have to stand with coffee and cake plus crutches if all seats were taken. I reserve a seat first as I am sure you would too if you really do have mobility issues.

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if you really do have mobility issues 🙄

GoldenSunflowers · 15/12/2024 18:48

Kitkat1523 · 15/12/2024 18:26

It’s what happens in every coffee shop I have ever frequented…..I mean why the fuck would you order food in a busy establishment, knowing there’s no tables🤷‍♀️🙄

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You make it sound grander than it is. The establishment is just a coffee shop, the food is a sandwich, and the order is something you’ve picked up from the fridge. We’re not talking about the Ritz. Chill!

Manara · 15/12/2024 18:49

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 17:56

And? I don't believe I did that "several" times but scroll on if it bothers you.

I don't give a shite about the original point but it's frustrating trying to deal with some of the absolute bollocks being posted here - cafe's aren't public places ffs!!! That's utterly ridiculous!

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It’s a bit rich to be complaining about people being in a lather when you’re the only one posting in all caps 🤷🏻‍♀️

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 18:52

wombat15 · 15/12/2024 18:05

If you have mobility issues why would you risk not getting a seat in the first place? If the cafe is busy you have no way of knowing whether there will be a spare seat after queuing regardless of whether you are happy to impose on other people by insisting on sitting at their table.. I have have mobility issues and there is no way I would risk have to stand with coffee and cake plus crutches if all seats were taken. I reserve a seat first as I am sure you would too if you really do have mobility issues.

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Nah, I only made that up for shits and giggles 🙄

As I said previously, I'd rarely go to a cafe on my own (even though you have already alleged that I have no friends 😂) and if I do, I tend to go somewhere with table service (word to the wise!!)

Any other character assassinations you'd like to lob at me without foundation, while you're at it?

Unbelievable.

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 18:55

Manara · 15/12/2024 18:49

It’s a bit rich to be complaining about people being in a lather when you’re the only one posting in all caps 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Is it? "All"?? I think you need to go to Specsavers. I've already responded to your last snippy remark that said the same thing so I am not sure why you FEEL THE NEED TO BRING IT UP AGAIN??😂

I repeat, I couldn't give a flying fuck about people's behaviour in chain cafes as I rarely go in one and pretty much never on my own.

I will challenge someone who tries to insist they aren't public places, because THAT is ridiculous!!

Manara · 15/12/2024 18:58

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 18:55

Is it? "All"?? I think you need to go to Specsavers. I've already responded to your last snippy remark that said the same thing so I am not sure why you FEEL THE NEED TO BRING IT UP AGAIN??😂

I repeat, I couldn't give a flying fuck about people's behaviour in chain cafes as I rarely go in one and pretty much never on my own.

I will challenge someone who tries to insist they aren't public places, because THAT is ridiculous!!

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I re-iterated it because you asked me to i.e. you said ‘And?’

Why ask for clarification if you don’t want it?

And you’re off in a lather again.

MarkingBad · 15/12/2024 19:19

The award for pointless nit picker of the week goes to ......

TheEllisGreyMethod · 15/12/2024 19:44

My uncle always sits on the floor when this happens, staff usually find him a seat sharpish, bloody embarrassing though

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 19:48

Manara · 15/12/2024 18:58

I re-iterated it because you asked me to i.e. you said ‘And?’

Why ask for clarification if you don’t want it?

And you’re off in a lather again.

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I'm really not. I'm pissing myself laughing at the idiocy of this thread!! Been reading bits out to my family and they've been ENJOYING THE BATSHITTERY TOO!! 😂

Manara · 15/12/2024 19:58

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 19:48

I'm really not. I'm pissing myself laughing at the idiocy of this thread!! Been reading bits out to my family and they've been ENJOYING THE BATSHITTERY TOO!! 😂

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Well I’m happy you’re enjoying it!

wigsonthegreenandhatsforthelifting · 15/12/2024 20:07

Manara · 15/12/2024 19:58

Well I’m happy you’re enjoying it!

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And I'm happy that you're happy lol!

chaosmaker · 16/12/2024 01:31

TheEllisGreyMethod · 15/12/2024 19:44

My uncle always sits on the floor when this happens, staff usually find him a seat sharpish, bloody embarrassing though

Gets him seated :)

Commonsense22 · 16/12/2024 02:54

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 15/12/2024 10:28

@OPsSockpuppet

It’s certainly not normal to share tables in any sort of eatery in the UK. People are saying it’s perfectly usual- but it really isn’t! I think most people would be surprised if someone asked to share. I’m mid forties and it’s maybe happened to me twice in my whole life. People don’t generally like it.

Wrong.

It's perfectly NORMAL for someone to ask if they can sit at a table with someone else, if there are no more seats/no where else to sit! Good grief! Do you think you are so important that you can occupy a table for 4 on your own, whilst another 1 to 3 people sit on the floor drinking their lattes and eating their cakes?

Breathtakingly selfish and entitled to the nth degree!

Not really. If you're single you're allowed to go out as well. You don't have to have a family to enjoy small pleasures.

If you're a group and you go into an eatery that's already full, your desire for food doesn't override the comfort of the single person.

You just go out and either eat in your car or find somewhere else.

chaosmaker · 16/12/2024 10:49

drive thrus yuk are for eating in cars