Woman slammed for taking up table for six people

A woman has come under fire for not sharing a table with strangers in a busy cafe on a Bank Holiday weekend. 

The anonymous woman posted on UK forum Mumsnet to ask users if she was the one in the wrong for not sharing her table with others.

The woman went to a cafe for brunch with her dog and waited 20 minutes for a table, which happened to be a picnic bench outside which could seat six people. 

Commenters were divided with many saying that she should have shared, while others defended her decision. 

Explaining the situation, the woman wrote: ‘Went to my favourite cafe with my lovely dog for a relaxing Sunday morning brunch fry up.

‘All the tables were occupied, so we stood feeling a bit self-conscious waiting for about 20 minutes for a table to become free. 

‘In the meantime, a kind couple did ask if I wanted to share their table, but I didn’t want to disturb their relaxing morning so I said thanks for the offer but it’s ok.

So, eventually a table became free so I left my bag there to reserve it and went inside the cafe with the hound to order. 

‘When I was queuing up to order a woman asked if I had finished with my table so I said no I have just arrived. 

‘She then said are there many of you (obviously not) or can we share your table? I said “Sorry I have been waiting for a table and I would rather have it to myself.” 

‘Am I being unreasonable?’   

Users took to the comments to tell the woman that she should have shared the table, especially because  it was a Bank Holiday weekend. 

One wrote: ‘You are being unreasonable to not share. It’s obvious the local vibe and culture is to share because a couple offered to share with you while you were in the queue.’ 

The woman added that she is very socially anxious and wouldn’t have enjoyed her meal if there were people chatting at the same table as her

Another said: ‘ A busy Sunday morning, you waited for 20 minutes for a table then used up a table for 6 for just yourself. How selfish.’

A third penned: ‘Sorry. Taking a complete picnic bench for six just for you and your dog and not being prepared to share is rather selfish. 

‘So yes I think you are being unreasonable. Had I been the person approaching though I’d just have asked if anyone was sitting on the other seats.’

A fourth commented: ‘You were being unreasonable. 

‘If you wanted a relaxing brunch outside at your own table on a Bank Holiday weekend, you should have bought nice ingredients and had it in the garden/on the balcony whatever you have at home.

‘Cafes need help at the moment and you were being selfish.’

People said that the woman was being unreasonable by not sharing her table with others, with some calling her ‘selfish’

The woman added that she is very socially anxious and wouldn’t have enjoyed her meal if there were people chatting at the same table as her. 

Others leapt to the defence of the woman and said that she waited patiently for her table, with some even praising her for standing up for herself.   

One user said: ‘You are not being unreasonable. It’s the alone person tax, isn’t it? You don’t deserve a seat because you are alone.

‘Well done for standing up for yourself, and I say that as someone who happily shares with strangers. 

‘In places like Wagamama and Busaba, you usually end up sitting on benches with strangers.’

Others leapt to the defence of the woman and said that she waited for 20 minutes and the other people should have to wait too

Another penned: ‘It’s an awkward situation, a lot of people aren’t comfortable sharing tables and obviously it was crowded so there wasn’t the option of a smaller table. 

‘I think you were unreasonable on balance, but understandably so.’

A third penned: ‘Why should the original poster miss out? That’s ridiculous. She waited 20 minutes for a table to be free, the next people can wait too.’

A fourth commented: ‘Perhaps the cafe should invest in some extra smaller tables and chairs to accommodate people who visit alone.

‘Not everyone likes to share a table with strangers, it would put me off going there altogether if I thought I’d end up having to do that.’