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?

Not unreasonable OP, they occupy 2 seats that means that half the table is empty and up for grabs.

You can't sit down at someone else's table. I would hate it, it's not relaxing sitting with someone you don't know.

It's nothing like a train. People go to a cafe to chat with people they know or get a bit of peace/lunch/people watching, not to be transported somewhere.

No, it doesn't.

Rude

I was wondering the same thing thing re the Chinese couple.

I would think it’s normal. Until 5 months ago I had a job that involved being in Prêt à Manger type places at least twice a week and it is really normal that people (of all ethnicities) share tables there.

Why didn’t you tell us this in the initial post seeing as you told us the couple were Chinese?

Public place and you asked politely. There are some miserable fuckers about you would be welcome on my table

I think what we can all agree on at the least is that going to Costa, or any popular coffee chain, in the Christmas season is pure hell. Whenever I pass by, the windows are always half fogged up with bodies crammed in everywhere.

they should have used a smaller table rather than hogging one for 4

I don't, but there is no reason for the OP to mention what she believes the couples ethnicity to be. She did not seem to feel the need to mention the ethnicity of the person refusing did she? How is any of it relevant, oh that is right, it is not.

Same

So for the people who think she was rude to ask to sit at two empty seats on that table. What are you expecting OP to do? Drink and eat standing up holding their trays? You must have a very high sense of entitlement if you're expecting to watch people do that while you nurse two empty seats.

Surely you appreciate that not everyone wants to share a table in a cafe?

You'll always get a yes or a no.

You say the woman was with her DS- son or sister?

Maybe a table for 4 was all that was free when she arrived.
It doesn't mean she has to share.

I don't like anyone sharing. It means I can't talk confidentially and also if they have colds etc I don't want them sneezing over me.

@Berlinlover Because there was literally no reason to mention this? I hate when people mention irrelevant facts such as people’s ethnicity, race, weight. Especially when she didn’t mention the other person was English.

OP was with her partner - one of them should have got a table while the other queued for the food.

You can't just plonk yourself down at someone else's table.

Go to another cafe, carry on shopping and try the cafe later.
That's what people do.

I eat out mostly alone and I loathe people who are in pairs or groups and want to sit at my table, unless I specifically invite them to. I wouldn't - as a single woman alone - impose myself on a couple, so why should a couple think it ok to impose themselves on me?

I'm alway more than happy to let other women who are alone sit at my table, by the way. The dynamic is different.

It's really weird to expect to share a table that's already occupied, especially if the people on it are having a conversation. Are you planning on joining in? I would have told you it wasn't free, as was apparent anyway.

Of course you can

Sure, if you're rude with absolutely no awareness of other people.

Only if you are rude and not socially aware.

They shouldn't hog empty seats

I have a toddler and he would hate a random stranger sitting next to him.

I wouldn't take your toddler there then