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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:
hf128219 · 14/08/2008 22:53

To show consideration to other people who are also hungry and thirsty.

colette · 14/08/2008 22:54

I totally agree with paolosgirl- my friend wanted to do it recently and I said "No let's go somewhere else" ! The cafe was full of tables with one person sitting not eating it's madness, a vicious circle ,so rude and selfish
M and s are right it's like quequing nobody would do it it if we all got into the habit of just pushing in. We should not need staff to tell us how to behave

louii · 14/08/2008 22:55

You are being unreasonable.

I always bag a seat first.
This is why, i was in a cafe and finally got my food after standing in a hideously long queue with buggy etc in tow.
Paid for food and there was NO table free, I walked around for about 10 mins, lunch now cold, DS now screaming.
Returned to counter and after a dispute, got my money back followed by a few people who had been in the queue behind me.

So moral of this story, bag chair first or else whats the point.

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/08/2008 22:57

Its a cafe offering a service, I'm partaking of that service, if I want to bag a seat when I fully intend to order food from them, I see no issue with it - and I'm a considerate person, thank you!

Sobernow · 14/08/2008 22:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/08/2008 22:57

Louii - am with you on that! Waste of food if you have to return it too so we are technically doing them a favour!

Original poster
paolosgirl · 14/08/2008 22:58

I've just spent £20 on hot food. I have a buggy with toddler, and have 2 kids with me. I have been on my feet for ages. The kids are hungry and crying.I would like to sit down and eat my hot food - oh, but I can't.

Why not? I hear you ask.

Because all the tables are full. Not with other diners happily eating their lovely hot food. No, with people who have bagged seat for their pals way at the back of the queue, who are still ageeeeeees away from being served.

So my lovely hot food goes cold, I've just wasted 20 quid, and I have to continue balancing a tray, a buggy and 2 kids.

THAT'S WHAT THE FUSS IS ABOUT!!!!!

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 14/08/2008 23:02

I think that the cafes need to decide this:

Either;

Customers can reserve tables and do what they want. (in which case remove all the silly notices telling them not to)

or

Enforce the "rule" that they can't reserve tables. Move bags from seats and destroy them, call security to move them on...whatever

It's the inconsitency that irritates me. The people at the tables are thinking "oh well everyone does it" and the odd "goody goody" in the queue is quietly seething because they think it is rude to bag tables when the notice tells you not to.

onepieceoflollipop · 14/08/2008 23:03

paolo I would have been tempted to sit down on the floor (if feeling stroppy enough) or go and demand that the staff either give me a refund or find me a table.

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/08/2008 23:04

Paolo...ahh, but if you had bagged a seat first.....

Original poster
paolosgirl · 14/08/2008 23:07

Agree, onepiece. Decide on the rule (buy your food first is, of course, the more sensible by far ), stick it somewhere where everyone can see it, and enforce the damn thing!

Go M&S!!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
paolosgirl · 14/08/2008 23:08

You can't hide, Pussinfabbylovelyshoes, I will find youuuuuuuuu.....

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 14/08/2008 23:09

Trouble is most cafes don't have enough staff. That's why if you do find a table it is covered with cups and plates from the last 3 occupants. That is also why there is a long queue at the container - Saturday lunchtime and only one work experience girl making coffees and filling jacket potatoes.

PussinJimmyChoos · 14/08/2008 23:12

Paolo - I may not agree with you, but at least you are standing your ground! I will think of you next time I...'reserve'...a seat...

I am quite nice really though...

bellavita · 14/08/2008 23:14

Our M & S has the same sign but people still bag chairs before purchasing.

hf128219 · 14/08/2008 23:14

Skinny/fat arses off seats I say.

And the sodding staff cleaning tables - now that really drives me bonkers - you know the picture, 45 mugs and plates all over the shop.

Original poster
paolosgirl · 14/08/2008 23:15

And next time I give the woman 'reserving' a table A Look, I shall think of you thinking of me!

I'm off to bed now, all - night night!

OP posts:
eyeballs · 14/08/2008 23:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MsHighwater · 14/08/2008 23:41

For the vast majority of people, it is hugely INconsiderate and selfish to bag a table before buying your food. Whoever said that it messes up the system is absolutely right. If everyone did what they were supposed to, you wouldn't get herds of people on their own wandering about with rapidly cooling food and drink looking daggers at the "reservers". Unless you have a really good reason (and "because it's the only way to be sure of getting a table" doesn't wash), it's rude and you should not do it.

What is the difference between this and abandoning your shopping trolley in the supermarket car park where it blocks other cars? Both are examples of "Only my convenience matters" thinking.

ThatBigGermanPrison · 14/08/2008 23:46

So what are you supposed to do if you are left standing with a pot of tea, two capri suns, and egg and chips x 3 and nowhere to eat it?

What are you actually supposed to do?

themoon66 · 14/08/2008 23:47

I have been known to return to the till and ask for my money back if there are no seats.

smurfgirl · 14/08/2008 23:48

Its really annoying isn't it?

I am a saddo and have eaten lunch on my own a few times when I have been out recently and have resorted to waiting until later on because I am sick of wandering aimlessly trying to find a table to sit at with my food.

What are you supposed to do if you are on your own?

Very frustrating when people keep moving seats too - so someone leaves and people swoop in because its a better table.

susiecutiebananas · 15/08/2008 00:03

I am very confused at this... So, please tell me something. If my Mum, myself and my 18 month daughter, go to have something to eat in, say, John Lewis cafe, or a cafe/ restaurant of some sort, you expect us all to stand, queuing, in a long, hot line, for mum to then pay, and carry the tray over because i'm pushing a buggy or carrying my daughter?

Why is it unreasonable for me and DD to get a table, sit her in a highchair, and wait for mum to come to us with a tray of hot food/ drinks ?

I really really don't understand this... Yes, its annoying if you cannot sit down, but you can't get angry at other customers who are sitting waiting for someone to return with food/drinks. infact, its ridiculous to expect a group of people to all stand in line until the person paying has done so, then all traipse off looking for a table.

Maybe, possibly, i could understand getting irked by someone on their own going and putting down bags etc to save a seat ready for returning with tray... a little... but not a great deal i'm afraid.

Answer is, to not go into such places that are so busy, or find somewhere that has a sign telling you not to sit down util food purchased. Even then, such establishments would have trouble having a go at anyone in the situation i've described with my mum and us...

YABVU IMHO.

susiecutiebananas · 15/08/2008 00:13

Also, to add, I'm a paying customer too. I am there, to sit and eat at the table too. me, mum and dd will all be sitting there, eating their food. What order we do the sitting in is not relevant. Its not the same as parking spaces either.

Oh, and also to add, I cannot stand for log periods of time, so I have to sit down. I shouldn't need to explain that though, to some 'apoplectic' person who unfortunately didn't have another adult with them on this. occasion, to sit and wait for them to return.

Again, I ask, if there were a large group of us, say, 3 mums, with 2 children each, you actually think/expect that all three mums with 6 children wait in line, to get food and pay, then all go and find a seat. this in itself ( in the que) would cause more problems than having the 6 children and other adults out of the way in the first place.

When mum does the queuing and paying and I settle DD in a highchair, I can then go and help her with the tray as I have both hands free.

Ashantai · 15/08/2008 00:54

Sorry i am v guilty of doing this. If we pop into Maccy D's, the first thing i do is herd the kids onto the nearest empty table, offload all our stuff onto the seats and then go and get my food.

I simply couldnt be arsed to order first and then balance 2 trays while herding said kids around, trying to find a table

Bag first, order later! hurrah!!