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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wish that people would not bag a seat first and THEN get their food in a busy cafe...

292 replies

paolosgirl · 14/08/2008 22:31

because those of us who reached the head of the queue before your pal who's way at the back of the queue now have to wander aimlessly about holding a tray with food or drink on it that's now getting cold, because we CAN'T GET A BLARDY TABLE because they're all full of people holding seats for their pals in the queue.

ARGHHHHHH....

Actually, IMNBU at all. I'm being perfectly reasonable (and probably a bit of PMT involved here, granted), but does this wind anyone else up, or shall I just go and have a wee lie down?

OP posts:
JumpingDizzy · 14/08/2008 22:33

have a wee lie down

KatieDD · 14/08/2008 22:34

I agree, my brother had an old dear push him out of the way to get to a seat and then all you saw was a 6'4" lad having words with a little old lady, we did laugh from the que I should add.
It is rude though when you're stood there with your very expensive food going cold looking around for a seat.

cadelaide · 14/08/2008 22:35

You must learn to bag a seat first yourself.

It's the only solution.

lisad123 · 14/08/2008 22:35

have a lay down, I often do this. Its impossible to struggle around a cafe with a hot tray, pushchaor and children

ThatBigGermanPrison · 14/08/2008 22:36

So what are you supposed to do with a tray of food if you don't bag a seat first? Stand at the till and eat it?

bag a seat.

lisad123 · 14/08/2008 22:37

at cafe yesterday, a older lady pushed infront as "she only needed to refill her tea pot". My friends LO said "you shouldnt push in, its rude" [gein]

cadelaide · 14/08/2008 22:37

Yeah, thinking about it, YABU.

You have to leave some not-too-valuable stuff at your chosen table before you start to queue. it's practically the law.

EyeballsintheSky · 14/08/2008 22:37

Vicious circle. If you don't get a table when you're (relatively) empty handed, then you sure as hell won't get one when you're balancing trays as well.

Doodle2U · 14/08/2008 22:39

I'm with BGP - I think you're being nuts TBH.

You bag a seat first, so that when you do get your food, you DO have some where to sit down!

hf128219 · 14/08/2008 22:39

  1. Ensure the cafe/restaurant has a sign that says please purchase food/beverages before occupying a table

  2. Tell the people to move who have not yet purchased said food/beverages - once you have ensured the aforementioned sign is clearly visible

wotulookinat · 14/08/2008 22:39

YANBU. People are rude and selfish.

Hassled · 14/08/2008 22:40

Now this is one of my all-time bug bears. Nothing else is more likely to get me into an apoplectic rage - and the worst culprits are the old M&S dears, where one will get the over-priced tea and scones and the other will hog the seats. I'm getting all hot and bothered just thinking about it

hf128219 · 14/08/2008 22:41

Tell them to shift their fat/skinny arses - we British are way too polite!

WowOoo · 14/08/2008 22:43

Someone once moved shopping bags from a chair I'd put at a table to reserve it. When I got my food I put the tray on the floor next to the 2 old grumpy ladies and stood there with my screaming baby (who really wanted a feed) They moved eventually and acted all 'oh sorry are these your bags?'
I was close to tears and so glad the owner came over and said she was about to intervene.

It's a tricky one..!!

Original poster
paolosgirl · 14/08/2008 22:43

Which is precisely why I LOVED our M and S who not only put a sign up saying "buy your food first, you muppets" (I made up the muppet bit btw, and they also said please), they also had a member of staff enforcing it.

Lovely.

And for those of us struggling with a buggy and 2 kids, it meant that we could get a table straight away, and that the old biddies who normally bag a table for their pals - couldn't Hurrah for Marks and Spencers

OP posts:
cadelaide · 14/08/2008 22:46

Can't you just join the immoral hordes and bag a table first?

Original poster
paolosgirl · 14/08/2008 22:46

Oh, and I did also once sit down with my kids at a table being held by man for his wife and (grown up) children waaaaaaaaay at the back of the Ikea cafe queue, and told him that by the time his family joined him, we would be finished. He was not a happy man, and left - result!

OP posts:
janeite · 14/08/2008 22:46

The thing I hate FAR more is those people who are on their own but sit on a table meant for 4 or 6.

onepieceoflollipop · 14/08/2008 22:47

I wimp out of these situations. I just avoid cafes etc at busy times/days. If we pop our heads in and it is full of old ladies mnetters bagging tables etc then we find somewhere else.
When the dds were small I would just feed them on a bench or similar if all the cafes were packed full.

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/08/2008 22:48

Oh ffs! How the bloody hell else are we meant to get a table? I cannot jiggle a tray, DS all at the same time. I often have to put DS in the highchair (obv where I can see him) and then go and get my coffee or similar!

Jeez!

Original poster
paolosgirl · 14/08/2008 22:48

No, cadelaide, because what you are suggesting is wrong wrong wrong on so many levels

OP posts:
hf128219 · 14/08/2008 22:50

Puss in nice shoes - table service?

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/08/2008 22:50

Why? We are intending to purchase the food, its not as if we are sat down with a packed lunch!!

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/08/2008 22:51

Yes, if table service was available in every cafe - but sadly, its not. I really don't see what the fuss is about!

wotulookinat · 14/08/2008 22:51

You can't bag a table if you are on your own.