sitting in costa coffee

[IveGotToGoToMeDads]

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?

And I have never seen a cafe so busy that people were asking to sit with a person who was alone on a 2 seater table.

I have been that woman alone on a bus and a man sat next to me. He said he felt safe next to me, then kept touching my hand and leg.

The same sort of mentality that when on holiday, gets up early and reserves half a dozen sunbeds round the pool, and most of them go unused till 2pm.

I don't get buses now, but I hated men sitting next to me, they always took up 3/4 of the seat, man spreading shouldn't be permitted on buses.🙄

So @XenoBitch should go to a cafe with larger tables to make it easier for randoms to sit with her…

Righhhhhhht

I don’t believe that you’ve ever chosen to sit at a table occupied by a random man in a cafe.

If she is so averse to someone else sitting at her table, then she should go to an establishment where table service is provided, therefore everyone has a table before ordering, and aren't left wandering with their food and drinks with nowhere to sit.

No because I don't frequent the type of establishment where it's likely to happen, and if I do, I will be with family or friends, so it's not an issue.

If I ever was in the theoretical situation where it was sit at the same table as a random man, or stand, I'd sit.

Is that ok with you?

Not sure about Wig, but I did.

Since I became aware of this topic, I started to pick men over women when deciding who shall I inconvenience. Just to break a stereotype. It is rather ok, sometimes the look surprised, but that doesn't hurt anyone.

(I draw a line on smelly/aggressive/drunk/looks particularly unpleasant, but I wouldn't want to sit next to a woman in such a state either)

Has it? Why's she on here complaining ad infinitum and ad nauseum if it's worked so well for her??

No need. I am happy to tell people they can't sit with me. If there is an issue, I will tell the staff. They know me and will be on my side.

Nah, there's chains, and then there's cafes where you sit down at a table and a waiter or waitress takes your order. They won't place anyone else at your table.

Simple and straighforward.

I only go to chains if I'm with friends or family and/or have no other choice.

I'm sure we all got it pages ago.

No I haven't. I have described the times that people did insist on sitting with me, and also insisted on interacting with me. That is not on.

It has not really been an issue for a long time in the Costa I go to to now... I have a card I put on the table saying to leave me alone, and so far it has been respected. The staff know me and my issues, so will back me up if someone tries to impose themselves on me.

But people like you are saying I should stay home and isolated. I need to get out, and I like to people watch. I can't handle or deal with some random talking to me.

Who said there was????

I'm only saying that if someone has such a visceral reaction to someone else sitting at their table, then there are other options?? Jeez!

Yes, the option is I tell people they can't sit with me.
Why is it hard to respect that?

That's crap. I never said you should stay at home. Quote where you are alleging I did????

I think there are better options than Costa if you want to be left alone.

I have never, ever heard of anyone having a card saying to leave them alone.

Because Costa is the type of location where people can reasonably expect to table share if they can't find a seat!

It's not at all. I have no problem if someone needs to sit at my table but I choose to go to cafes where it's not going to happen!!

If I have an issue then it's my responsibility to deal with that.

I think some posters here are hard of understanding!!

I have a card from a site called Stickman Communications. It is full of cards for people with various disabilities. The one I have says that I need to be left alone.
If you don't think that exists, then consider yourself privileged to feel that you don't need such a card.

And I have said several times now that I have been going to my local Costa a long time... the staff know me and my issues, and will stick up for me. I regularly get free cake too. I feel safe there.