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?

No it isn't. It is not a bus or train.
If you can't see a free table, then go elsewhere. That is what also works for me.

Maybe I should do what a PP said and get a trained carer to go with me to cafes... that tells people to fuck off if they try and sit with me.

I don't know why it's "bizarre". I don't like them; I don't enjoy their food and I fucking hate coffee anyway!!!

Not bizarre at all. I don't have the same preference as Xeno because if I was in Costa, or Cafe Nero, or Starbucks, I wouldn't throw a hissy fit if someone else needed to sit at my table!!!

Jesus, make it stop!!!!

I never said that it doesn't exist - can you please quote where I did?

I just said that I hadn't ever heard of it.

I think they're pretty logical personally??

I don't throw a "hissy fit". I am ND with MH issues, and a stranger imposing themselves on me is a trigger.
I deal with that by carrying a card to leave me alone, and by being polite and saying they can not sit with me (and saying I am waiting for someone).

If someone chooses to ignore the above, then they are a cheeky and ablelist fucker.

I don't think many people would understand tbh so they wouldn't be "a cheeky and ableist fucker" because it's something beyond what they know?

I wouldn't dare try to sit there though if you had displayed your card.

The irony of sitting in the middle of a busy cafe displaying a card stating you need to be left alone…

I actually went to a Costa yesterday, not the usual one I go to.
To be frank, there was no one in there I would have cared to share a table with, card or no card, thankfully there were spare tables.

People should be able to go to Costa if they want to though, and the rules there don't state that they have to share an undersized table. Share a small table if you want to, or don't. 🤷🏼‍♀️
If people wandering around with a tray full of coffees and cakes eyeballing people sitting down, are getting so frustrated, than maybe they are the ones that need waiter service. The rules in Costa don't say somebody has to share a small individual table, we know this. Why is it a surprise to some if they're told no? Go somewhere where the outcome is guaranteed, if this is the case.

I don't know what the 'rules' are in Costa and at this point frankly I'm losing the will to live....

Gosh, I hope you're okay. If people are getting so frustrated that they have nowhere to sit in Costa than maybe they should enquire on their policy 🤣

They don't have specific rules about table sharing but some do get involved in the Chatty Cafe scheme along with other organisations and groups

https://thechattycafescheme.co.uk/

I'm fine and I don't go to Costa anyway! Just think this thread is batshit!

That is really useful for people who are a little lonely, and for both parties who do wish to chat.

I don't either, I used to go to Cafe Nero, but now have a bean to cup which is far nicer, and saves a fortune!
I don't understand moaning about tables though, just don't go if it is so much of an issue. If staff aren't intervening, then it isn't something they're enforcing, I suspect. I haven't ever encountered somebody asking to cosy up, squeezing onto a small table in my entire life, only on MN. 🤣
I have only seen people asking for spare chairs, and swapping tables if there is a single person/couple sitting on a huge table moving to a small table that has become available , to let a larger group sit down, or somebody slide along, and move a coat or whatever to say the seat on a nearby table is free, and that they aren't using it; this it normal life ime.

I don't go in busy cafes, but a cafe can get busy when I am there. I go there for me, not to interact with other people. Sitting in a cafe does not mean I want to talk to people.

But maybe the world does not revolve around you, @XenoBitch

I don't expect it to. Where have I said it does?

This is MN though, where 'normal' often isn't, well, normal!!!😀