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 just grim isn't it.

Bus seats are grim anyway. But you are literally putting your own arse on them. Are you eating a meal off the seats? No. Maybe get on bus that takes you to a shop that sells grips, and buy one.

Tbf when you said 'I can't leave her' it wasn't clear that you weren't allowed. I presumed you meant you didn't like to.

Take away then? Most places do coffee to go.

I don't need a grip. I need other dog owners to be responsible and considerate like I am.
Until then I'll continue in my quest to get them banned from cafes.

If a place allows dogs then what am I doing wrong by being there?

No. They're just as unhygienic there.

Dog owners taking their dogs to places that allow and welcome them are doing fuck all wrong.

However, if you are stamping your feet and making demands on business owners that have made their own decisions about allowing dogs, then you still need to find a shop that sells grips.

It is grim to see things on bus seats that shouldn’t be there. I’ve only ever seen toddlers standing or scruffs with their feet up.

We don’t need to leave our dogs at home as they are welcomed when out and about. If you don’t like it why don’t you get a takeaway?

This.One of my favourite cafes in a gorgeous rural location doesn't have that many tables for doubles and singles(it also serves as a Community hub and hosts meetings,etc.)and when I arrived there mid-morning the other day on my lone walk,there were none available.I had to wait to be seated but was told to 'sit anywhere you like',so I did,on a table for 4.My only other option was to eat my snack sitting on the wall outside.It was quiet,everything ok.

Half way through my meal,there was an influx of cyclists and there was a seating issue.I called over the waitress and told her that although there were still no small tables available,I would be happy to share. She thanked me and told me to stay right where I was. Two ladies did eventually join me,they were about my age and quite chatty which was OK.

The point is; some months ago I read a Trust Pilot review for the place which was scathing about people sitting on their own on larger tables taking up valuable spaces,which is one reason why I felt terribly awkward about doing that! What are you supposed to do if you're on your own though? Butties and a flask on a bench?

“For every dog friendly cafe there’s likely to be 2 that don’t allow them”
If that was true then it’d be OK. But you just said it’s completely normal where you live to allow dogs in cafes. Unfortunately it’s completely normal here too. I can’t think of a single cafe near here that doesn’t allow dogs these days.

The difference between humans sat on bus seats and dogs sat on bus seats, is that humans wear pants and wipe their arses. Dogs do not.

Sorry, I really don't understand your position on this. Are there no cafes in your area you can go in that are not dog friendly?
I'm afraid if we had any complaints we would just politely point out that there are alternatives and we like our doggy customers!
You are never going to persuade us that dogs are not acceptable, we mainly prefer them to humans to be honest, if only dogs had wallets!

I do prefer them to stay on the floor but if the odd one is allowed on a seat is that really worse than kids mucky shoes? Eating from plates is obviously a no no, the only customer we ever banned persisted in letting his dog drink out of his tea, after being told it wasn't allowed. Do any eateries allow that?
We do try to keep an eye out for any potential problems, and head them off at the pass, especially involving kids and over friendly, badly trained dogs.

I’d avoid anywhere with dogs in cafes. Dogs on seats is a total red line for me. I’d walk out immediately. Yuck. Just as well you love your dog owners

The difference is that people used to leave their dogs at home all the time. The dogs were fine with that. They’re be far happier having proper walks in parks etc and then being left at home when the owner goes into shops / cafes / John Lewis. But entitled dog owners don’t want that and so it’s other humans who have been usurped from cafes / John Lewis etc. .

Gross dogs

Dogs were not fine with being left at home all day. A few hours is fine but all day is cruel. And many dogs are perfectly happy in cafes and pubs with their owners. No they would not all be happier alone at home. You’re only saying that because that’s what you prefer. They are companion animals after all in a way that most other pets are not and were created to live and be with us. I wouldn’t take a dog that didn’t enjoy it in to a cafe, my last dog and one of my two wouldn’t have liked it though, my small dog is fine, but many are perfectly content.

Dogs should be left outside, ideally in a cage.

What is going to happen to you if you sit on a seat that a dog has previously sat on?

We allow dogs in our cafe in the Lakes. We let people sit themselves. We fill up the back first as that’s where the best views are.
Laptops users were a problem.
Singles on a table of 4 is fine, if we’ve got the space.
What pisses us off more is the sneaky getting out the packed lunch.
That and scrolling parents while children run about and destroy the toy and bookshelf.
We love dogs, it’s perfectly normal to see them in cafes up here.
Costa allows them too, must be a store by store agreement.

Good luck… You’re going to need it!

Out of interest, who do you complain to when an independent allows dogs in their cafe? Do you go in and start complaining at the counter straight away?

Pretty sure the only complaining is done on here.

Although, there was this petition.parliament.uk/petitions/733824

They must all be mumsnetters!! 🤣

Yes. 2 local cafes don't allow dogs unless in the outdoor areas now due to people's complaints.

'What is going to happen to you if you sit on a seat that a dog has previously sat on?'

Nothing is going to 'happen'. In the same way nothing 'happens' if you sit on a seat that someone has been sat on with a bare skiddy bum. It's just not nice is it.

Dogs in cafes will be like smoking in cafes in years to come. We'll wonder how tf anyone ever put up with it.