To take up a bigger table than needed in a cafe?

[Egit]

To try to use a bigger table in a cafe?

I know it’s not always possible, such as during busy times, and I would never ‘hog’ a larger table for myself.

But during quiet times… such as right now! I’m in a cafe on my own with 2 dogs and I’ve sat myself at a 4 seater table.

I actually hate 2 seater ones. They are just too small and I get claustrophobic with all the clutter of cutlery, condiments, sides of veg etc.

I like to spread out!

If there are plenty of other big tables that are empty and you’re not staying too look it should be ok but otherwise no, you can’t take a much bigger table than you need and leave other people without a table.

You get claustrophobic because there's things on the table? How does that work?

And how much spreading out do you need to do, that a table designed for two people isn't adequate for you on your own?

It is find once the place is quiet and is not heading into peak time. If it is heading towards the lunch or dinner time rush then you are being unfair. Not fair that the cafe could lose out on four potential customers because you do not like a table for 2.

If there is so much on the table for two that bothers you can you not just place them on the empty chair and move your veg on the main plate.

If there are other free tables for 4, it’s totally fine. If not, no so much, as the cafe loses a lot of money if someone sticks their head in, thinks there is nowhere big enough for their group, and so doesn’t come in at all.

If you feel odd about taking up the 4 seat table even if others are empty, you could always mention to the staff that you are happy to move if they need the bigger table for someone else.

Well yesterday i went for a roast with my dh. 2 large plates, 2 coffees, 2 glasses of water, 2 sets of side dishes with veg. Salt, pepper, cutlery pot, sugar bowl. Serviettes…. I hate how cluttered it gets

Dogs shouldn't be in cafes.

I’m currently sitting at a table for 4 on my own. There are 4 other tables free in this room that seat 3. A large table seating 6 that’s taken up by a family of 6. There are 3 tables in another room that fit up to 6 on each. All but one is empty.

This is the decision of the owner of the cafe, not you.

I'd be more pissed off you had ddogs than spare seats.
I've got 2. Can't imagine taking them to Costa.
Xmas shopping we saw 2 huge hairy things trooping into Costa.. Ddog hairs in my latte. No thanks.

YANBU. Even at busy times. I've seen couples spread out over tables for four, but no-one EVER resents them. But a woman on her own ? How very dare she?

If you were alone on a 4 seater table and others were full - would you share ? If yes YANBU

And it's their decision to hopefully eventually stop offering large tables to you so that they can get more paying customers in.

"Liking to spread out" is a preference, it's not a right.

I'd say the two dogs are a bigger issue as they will deter many customers from coming into the cafe.

This isn't a feminist issue @ParmaVioletTea . Hope that helps.

Anything about women taking up space in public is a feminist issue @JacquesHarlow Hope this helps.

OP said during not busy times, I don't see an issue if no one else needs it.

@EasterbunnyishotandcrossI work for Costa and believe me we hated having dogs in store, so we stopped it.

I agree. If you have your dogs you should sit outside or leave them home. Lots of people are afraid of dogs or allergic. Only Guide dogs used to be allowed in buildings. In a cafe it is unhygienic to have dogs.

2 people in a 4 space is 2 spaces each. 1 person in a 4 space is 4 spaces for 1 person. If OP had a table for 2 shed still have 1 person for 2 spaces.

This is a pet peeve of mine. It's just so casually selfish. But very common so...it is what it is.

It's a weird question to ask, I think. You've already done it and you are listing reasons as to why. So why bother checking if random strangers would do it?

I wouldn’t take them in to Costa!… I live in the Lakes. I was in a bike ride in the hills and stopped off at a cafe. I’m not going to leave them outside.

It’s very very normal for dogs to be in cafes in the Lakes

Agreed - and if I liked to spread out that much, and with two dogs, I’d stay at home. But then I’m not (by and large) selfish.

Edited to add that at quiet times, if a place is only half-full, it’s surely not an issue.

Of course! But I’d also happily move to a smaller table.

A legitimate preference when the cafe is quiet.

Not where I live. It’s very normal.