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!

I’ve never met any such reverent dog haters ever in really life!

I've nothing against dogs, I don't hate them. I just don't think they belong in food establishments.

My dogs were on the floor… is they why people on here hate dogs in cafes so much? Because they think they shout at the table? 🙄

Two of us often sit on a table for four, as I like plenty of room and space for coats and shopping, but obviously not when it’s crowded

I used to think it was selfish to take up a bigger table than necessary.
Now I invariably visit cafes alone, and I choose a decent table.
I pay the ‘single tax’ by not sitting down until I have my food and drink.
I am therefore occupying a table for less time. I eat and drink then leave.
I don’t go at peak times anyway, but I got fed up with using the smallest tables, which are often in uncomfortable positions where passers by brush past, or are just generally in locations not as pleasant.
There’s little point in paying best part of £10 for a coffee and snack if I’m not going to enjoy it.
I do leave my dog at home though.

Yes, café tables are often tiny! Much smaller than home dining tables in terms of space per person. The worst is small plates places. 😂

Hardly the point, is it?

Sure I think it’s fine with the proviso you mention. My bugbear is people who go to cafe to work and sit at the table (any table) for hours when it’s busy. Unless you are ordering food/drinks during those hours go to the library to work!

I’m not a dog hater, just don’t like dog hairs in food, licking , plus staff don’t wash their hands after petting them

Why?!… Dogs are so common place in cafes and pubs near me. I find this so weird!… There’s normally muddy boots, muddy arses from bikers and kids in muddy puddle suits. The least mess is usually the dogs!

This thread will be derailed by the dog haters. If OP doesn't like a cluttered table top, she doesn't.

My local Wetherspoons is in a historic building, which is stunning and full of students from the local well-off uni, families, groups, mums meeting, it's nice! I don't think I'm better than local drinkers, though, if it's not your crowd, don't go but no need to put down other people who might have alcohol problems.

Agree about the carpet, although each one is designed especially for that pub!

It's the entitled owners that are the problem, can't go anywhere without their dog then getting upset because I don't want to stroke it and make a fuss of it.
I love dogs it's some of the stupid owners who treat them like babies and haven't trained them properly that I hate. Probably covid dogs.
I have said to several people -men and women - recently with the babying nonsense - "I don't want your dog slobbering over me, jumping up and sniffing around me. Just take your bloody dog and fuck off."
They get offended or look tearful, so what? I'm not bothered. I won't tolerate idiots.

Yeah if there's hardly anyone there and plenty of other big and small tables open.

If somewhere was empty I would sit at the most comfortable place.

Definitely not if it's busy though. Unless I had no objection to someone sharing with me and I was alone. If we were two I don't think staff would let you block a four top when it was busy anyway.

They’re only little whippet lurcher crosses… they’d just been for a 15km bike ride (i was on the bike, not them)… they got in the cafe, sat on a blanket (which the cafe supplied… lots of dog and human blankets to use) and slept next to the table for the hour I was there. No body even knew they were there

Other good things about my Wetherspoons: staff super-pleasant, employ people with disabilities and have done for years, stunning gardens and hanging baskets, cheap refillable drinks, food can be ordered from your table, never been harassed about working there as it's huge.

This thread will be derailed by the dog haters. If OP doesn't like a cluttered table top, she doesn't

I think it more likely that 2 dogs won't fit under a smaller table tbh.

Sat in a cafe next to TWO dogs. Depending on the breed but SOME REALLY smell especially if wet. Nice one OP

Oh, just noticed a pp thought the same thing.

You can have all the tables you want because loads of people will leave or not bother coming in at all because of your two mutts. I wonder why it isn’t busy🤔

DH and I had to stand to drink our drinks in Costa last week because there were four tables for 4 taken by a single person (all working on laptops). Three of the four were men.

I was pissed off by them all, regardless of sex. It’s selfish to take a big table when loads of people are standing.

I hate dogs in places serving food and drink. It's horrible to bring that filth in.

I won't normally take a bigger table than i need, but i do like to be nearest the window for decent light as i'm usually reading or doing puzzles.

So when you or your OH phone up to book a table how does the conversation go.

”Hello, I’d like to book a table for dinner on Thursday night please. About 7.30 if that’s possible”

”Certainly, how many people are in your party”

”Two”

”So that’s a table for two , on Thursday at 7.30”

”Well, actually, can you make it a table for four”

”But you said there are two people in the party”

”Yes , there are two of us, but we’d like a table for four”

” So only two people will be eating and paying, using a table that could seat four people and bring in double the revenue for us?”

”Yes.”

Oh yes!… the daffodils that are a bit wilted now, picked from their garden for that ‘rustic’ lake district feel

I’d rather you ignored my dog tbh. They’re friendly, but very much in to me and my dh. They couldn’t give a shit about other people, so are not pestering people when we’re out