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!

What on here hasn’t been in the dog’s best interest?

Was it the exercise they got? The warm cafe with a fluffy comfy blanket? The treats they received?

I don't think YABU exactly, but it wouldn't be my personal choice. Unless a café is very empty, I won't stay if I'm on my own and there isn't a small table available.

I've already explained a few times, dogs running for 15km while you bike isn't good for them. If you were 'stopping, assessing and admiring the view' all the time you'd be better off walking. As would they. Dogs like to investigate, not run constantly.

Many, not just me, have agreed that dogs should not be in cafes. Why on earth take them to places where everyone there will be thinking 'fgs!'?

Walk your dogs, play with them then tuck them up at home while you go to a cafe.

Obviously you won't but if you start a thread to canvas opinions then you'll get them and yes hogging a table for 4 when you're alone and there's smaller tables would seem inconsiderate even if the condiments and cutlery do overwhelm you a bit.

The op has posted for opinions, so as long as posted politely <try it>,she'll get them.

The cafe the op was in was empty, wonder why. The owners will probably do what many others are doing and stop allowing dogs.

Please don’t preach about politeness, since you have been so rude 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

What have you called people

Friendless
Unreasonable
Selfish

To name a few, you’d have to be polite yourself to expect politeness back.

Keep in with your one woman war against the cafes, see you this time next year when nothings changed. Go back on MN a year, you’ll see the same whinge then, but her two cafes you’ve managed to change allegedly hasn’t made a noticeable difference? 🤷‍♀️

The cafe may have been empty at that time, the ones who don’t allow dogs have probably closed.

Business owners everywhere rethinking their model due to Gloria’s compelling arguments.

Brilliant!

Honestly, this time next year the whole country will have a blanket ban, people will be rehoming their dogs in droves, because they can no longer access cafes!

I haven't called anyone friendless, unreasonable or selfish. I've said it is inconsiderate and selfish behaviour to force dogs on other people in small confines like cafes. So many people have allergies, phobias or just don't like dogs.

I said 'some dog owners maybe don't have friends so their pet goes everywhere with them'. Some not all. If someone is taking several dogs everywhere with them and hogging tables for 4 when they are the only person present it does make you wonder.

Not a problem if it's quiet but if people are looking around obviously for somewhere to sit,then I'll say they can sit on this table too.

Do they not have allergies phobias or dislikes in beer gardens? Is it only you that gets to decide what’s right and wrong?

The friend comment was a poorly disguised attempt at a dig. Embarrassing and uncalled for.

There are actually several places around me where dogs have now been banned. The owners got fed up of cleaning up after irresponsible dog owners - think garden centers with cafes where the dogs were weeing and more on the stock. So it's not just customers like me, who are afraid of dogs, but staff who are fed up of their shops being used as exercise grounds. I suspect the days of dogs everywhere has reached its peak.

You probably have Gloria to thank for that.

Just irresponsible dog owners and sensible cafe owners I believe.

I’m sure it’ll be down to Gloria’s one woman crusade but I’m glad people can no longer say there’s no dog free cafes they can visit. Now everyone is happy.

I live in a very touristy area.

After covid, it got to the point that it was almost impossible to find a café or restaurant that didn't accept dogs in our area.

People did complain and over the last few years, a lot of places have either stopped allowing dogs at all, or restrict them to a small area, or outside.

There were a few howls of outrage and predictions of doom at first when dogs were banned/restricted, but it settled down very quickly and the cafés and restaurants that don't allow, or limit dogs are doing very well.

One of the things I have noticed is even dog owners prefer a dog-free environment when they go out without their animals.

Yes maybe in my area 🤗

'One of the things I have noticed is even dog owners prefer a dog-free environment when they go out without their animals'

Exactly. I love ours, and do like seeing others when out walking but I don't want to go in a cafe and sit on a dog haired covered seat or have to step over one whilst carrying a tray of hot drinks. It's a health & safety plus hygiene issue.

I live in the same area as the op. @GivesYourHosieryaFright I see it happening more and more here too. And i suspect you're right, dog owners can actually enjoy going dog free for a short while.

Gloria sees someone in a cafe with a dog and immediately assumes they take them everywhere and therefore have no friends. Two of you have somehow come to the conclusion that dog owners prefer dog free places when they don’t have their dog with them. Do any of you just mind your own business once in a while or are you constantly making up stories about people?

'Do any of you just mind your own business once in a while or are you constantly making up stories about people?'

It's a chat forum, folk share their experiences and discussion ensues. It's how it works.

You judging people in cafes is a chat forum?

It's not judging to know people who have dogs and yet prefer to go to places that dont allow dogs to eat. They do exist. (The people and the places!)

We are discussing people in cafes with dogs, on a chat forum.