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!

It’s not just from this thread. It’s past MN conversations around dogs.

Agree, this is so random! God knows where all these dog-haters live, round here they're welcome in almost all cafes and it's very unusual to find one that doesn't allow them. In fact, out of a quite absurd number of cafes in my last town (14 within 10 minutes walk), the only one that didn't allow dogs was Costa... and that was always near empty. The others were always packed. Maybe as I'm in AONB? So lots and lots of people stopping mid walk. Even see dogs in the bakery, the grocer, Boots, Waitrose etc. Makes life a lot easier if you don't have to go out twice. Certainly cafes here would lose far more custom banning them than they're losing allowing them. Which is presumably the case everywhere they're permitted; cafes are there to make money so if dogs were putting customers off, they wouldn't be there. That really is all there is to it.

As for taking a bigger table it's absolutely fine so long as it's not busy busy and you're not taking it away from other people. Especially with the dogs - some people might moan they were in the way if you were all trying to cram round a single!

I'm finding your posts rather entitled and frustrating OP.. Your inability to see outside the box. Frothing dog haters accusation because plenty don't much care for eating in a cafe with lots of mutts. My favourite cafe currently sat there now, is like Crufts. Lots of yappy small dogs belonging to females who think it's cute and encourage them to beg neighbouring table for food. I quite like some dogs, including the breed you mentioned that you have. Lovely non smelly dogs, however not everyone likes dogs. Their naked bottom holes are exposed don't you know.......the odd lick isn't pleasant to see whilst biting into a bacon butty

I know exactly what you mean space wise particularly with dogs and to be honest it comes down to a mixture of common courtesy and the owner. If they seat you and you get a table for 4, its their problem. If you get to chose where you sit and its not busy and you go for a larger table outside of their busy times, I think that is fair too. Just be aware that if a rush starts, you maybe asked to share.

But I think if its say their main meal times and the place is in high demand, you should sit at a 2 seater table first, but sometimes that is not what is free, so again, be prepared to share if needs be.

Nothing wrong with any of that, and if the business allows dogs, that's their decision too.

A cafe local to me offers a free sausage for ever dog and so whenever we pass, our dog veers off towards that cafe without fail.

Why is it entitled to go in to a dog friendly cafe with a dog?…

For every dog friendly cafe there’s likely to be 2 that don’t allow them.

Really really don’t see the issue!… Just go to another one that doesn’t allow dogs!

There are 7 pubs in my tiny little touristy climate blood village in the lakes. 3 allow dogs. So loads of choice for everyone!

I don't see any problem with you taking a larger table instead of a pokey 2 seater. Nor would it bother me if you had a lovely well behaved dog with you.

Crack on any enjoy life and ignore the people that are just plain miserable. If the cafe owner had a problem with it they'd speak to you. I should imagine that right now they are happy to get any customers at all.

It’s hardly entitled if they allow dogs indeed some cafes and pubs positively encourage them and OP is in the Lake District which is about as dog friendly as it gets. It’s for cafes to decide if they do or don’t allow dogs and for you to decide if you want to frequent it but you don’t get to dictate the terms of their business.

Not my problem

I suspwect we all go to the same 'Spoons! It is a gorgeous building

Many if not most of the Wetherspoons are in historic buildings, like old banks,
theatres, etc. There is usually some blurb on the wall or on the table about the history of the area/building. Also most of them have carpets specially made to reflect that history. People even make it a hobby to visit as many as they can wherever they go to a new city/town. Wetherspoons seems to have a bad reputation with some people, which it really doesn't deserve. Maybe they actually don't go in there because of it.

If its quiet or there are still lots of other larger capacity tables available for larger parties that come in then it's usually fine isn't it.

I hate how cluttered 2 seater tables get too.

It isn’t. If I go to a cafe and there are several babies or toddlers or a group of teenagers or a large loud group I’ll probably choose to go elsewhere but that isn’t the problem of the above parties and I’m sure that in a popular cafe someone will only be too happy to have my seat.

In fact, out of a quite absurd number of cafes in my last town (14 within 10 minutes walk), the only one that didn't allow dogs was Costa... and that was always near empty. The others were always packed

Yet dog owners tell us that there are plenty of places we can go that don't allow dogs.

My issue is, is that I’m getting completely flamed when i haven’t actually done anything wrong! The cafe ALLOWED dogs!

When my Italian friend can't find a table because the large ones are bring hogged, she goes and sits in one of the empty chairs and says hello to the table-hogs.

Double selfishness - taking up a big table and taking dogs into a cafe 🤮

Interesting. I'm not a dog person, so i'm very much non-plussed when a dog comes up to me, and really don't know what to do if it won't go away. I'm usually hyper aware of dogs and owners so i can take evasive action if needed.

The one thing that i have picked up is that a trained dog will keep checking back with it's owner. So it might notice me when we are about to pass on the footpath, but it will immediately look at the owner to check all is ok, if the owner ignores me then the dog takes that cue and ignores me too. Basically if the owner isn't interested, neither are they. Dogs that don't check back with their owner are a red flag.

I'm sure as a responsible owner you already know all this, i just wanted you to know that when i see that, i appreciate it.

For every dog friendly cafe there’s likely to be 2 that don’t allow them

Not according to this poster.

In fact, out of a quite absurd number of cafes in my last town (14 within 10 minutes walk), the only one that didn't allow dogs was Costa... and that was always near empty. The others were always packed

It’s fine to take your dog to places that allows them (of course it is!)

Also fine to sit at a larger table. I would and I’d probably offer to move if someone needed it more - not if they turned their nose up at the dogs though.

Thanks.

We looked after a dog this weekend, which we couldn’t let off the lead because of that exact thing you’ve said!… He’s recall was rubbish because he had absolutely no interest in his owner.

Watching him on the lead when walking along, he was in a complete world of his own the whole time!

Posters on here will now be more shocked to know that I went in to 2 different cafes on the weekend with THREE dogs!… But small, unsuspecting, quiet whippet lurchers. Although that makes no difference

Guess it depends where you are… middle of Lancaster highstreet… mostly non-dog cafes. Middle of Ambleside… mostly dog friendly

This also gives me a good indication of where many people on this thread are likely from

No, I think it's relevant if someone sits at a 4-seater table by themselves or with multiple dogs. Dogs take up a lot of floor space. Another person or two by themselves could join OP at the table if there are a lack of tables in the cafe – that's not as much of an option if the person has multiple dogs with them. The space is primarily for humans who are paying. If OP wants to both sit at a bigger table than necessary AND take up more space with dogs, then it's even more unreasonable.

You are in the Lake District in the Easter holidays and the cafe isn't busy...surprised.

You say you were out on a bike ride.

What do your two dogs do while you cycle-run behind you for miles off leash? Or are they on leash and cause complications with the wheels.

Dogs should not be in cafes. They lick their arses with their tongues and even the most disreputable client in Wetherspoons is innocent of that particular folly.

Dogs in cafes. Nope (unless a working dog).

I don’t hate dogs. I just find it unhygienic that they’re allowed and also on previous threads I’ve heard of the behaviour of dogs by dog owners.