Table baggers

**Chris** · 15-04-2006, 18:21

After being in the tea room of a visitor centre this afternoon and watching some kids trying to reserve three tables for their very large extended family (while people who had already bought their food were wandering round with their trays trying to find somewhere to sit - it was very busy), I thought I'd start a thread to find out what people think about table bagging.

There appear to be two camps - those who think it's perfectly reasonable to try to 'book' a table when it's busy, and those who think doing such a thing is just as bad as queue jumping.

So, whadda y'all think?

Druchii · 15-04-2006, 18:24

I can't say i havn't done it before as i have, but looking back on it i wonder why i even bothered, in the end there is always somewhere to sit, even if it is the floor, or on a low wall somewhere.

It's not really very good, but i suppose if the tables are there for people paying then they are almost within there rights.

jellybaby · 15-04-2006, 18:27

Hasn't this already been dicussed recently ??

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=45264

Druchii · 15-04-2006, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by jellybaby

Hasn't this already been dicussed recently ?? http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=45264

Thought it sounded familiar

Florence · 15-04-2006, 18:30

We had this done to us when we were visiting an open day at a university. We ended up standing up eating as the only table available had been stripped of chairs by the students sitting 6+ to a small round table

**Chris** · 15-04-2006, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jellybaby

Hasn't this already been dicussed recently ??

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=45264

So it has ... with only 11 posts, which is unsurprising as it went off topic almost immediately.

With due acknowledgement to Salu, I'm going to close that one and leave this open, seeing as that went OT and died 2 weeks ago, and this one has a poll ... and I'm an admin, so I can ...

Kliro · 15-04-2006, 18:34

I've always seen this as completely different to queue jumping for some reason - and its always seemed pretty sensible if theres a couple of you, for one to grab a table so you don't have to walk round searching for one afterwards.

Maybe its bitterness at not having the incentive to do the same?

Druchii · 15-04-2006, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

So it has ... with only 11 posts, which is unsurprising as it went off topic almost immediately. With due acknowledgement to Salu, I'm going to close that one and leave this open, seeing as that went OT and died 2 weeks ago, and this one has a poll ... and I'm an admin, so I can ...

And yes it does seem that in a crowded place its sometimes not the tables that are reserved, it's often the chairs and one small table, which, is just as annoying really. Isn't this the responsibility of the establishment to provide adaquate seating?

**Stuart** · 15-04-2006, 18:38

I supposed it depends on the situation.

If it's just a couple of adults, and one goes to sit down, then that is wrong.

If it's a couple of adults, and they have kids or a ton of shopping, then that may work out better.

After all, if you have a group of bored kids, then it may be better that they are sitting down, rather than stuck in a queue for a burger.

bopdude · 15-04-2006, 18:40

I'm of a mixed view really, I suppose it's what I'm gonna be doing tonight, although I've told my partner we more than likely won't get away with it.
We're going to the WMC and the 2 of us have gotta try and hold a table for 8 until they come in in their dribs and drabs.
So on that note, I suppose I must vote 'for'

Kliro · 15-04-2006, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

I'm of a mixed view really, I suppose it's what I'm gonna be doing tonight, although I've told my partner we more than likely won't get away with it.
We're going to the WMC and the 2 of us have gotta try and hold a table for 8 until they come in in their dribs and drabs.
So on that note, I suppose I must vote 'for'

But you can't exactly wait until EVERYONE is there, and go 'sorry everyone, theres no table for us lets go home'

15-04-2006, 18:45

If you have children with you, it seems more practical to get them sat down & contained, rather than milling around until whichever parent has emerged from the queue.

However, as with most things there are always those who will abuse it, by the sounds of Towny's example those kids had been trained to annex half the tables, while their parents went to get the clootie dumplings

They should have delegated a couple of people to get the food & drink & got the rest sat down, really.

It wouldn't be too bad if we were less inhibited about sharing tables, after all, it is the seat which is important - how many times has anyone asked 'is that seat taken', only to be told 'yes sorry, they are joining me in a minute' - and they never do ....

Shaun · 15-04-2006, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

So it has ... with only 11 posts, which is unsurprising as it went off topic almost immediately.

With due acknowledgement to Salu, I'm going to close that one and leave this open, seeing as that went OT and died 2 weeks ago, and this one has a poll ... and I'm an admin, so I can ...

<<Thread closed>>

**Chris** · 15-04-2006, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kliro

But you can't exactly wait until EVERYONE is there, and go 'sorry everyone, theres no table for us lets go home'

I think there may be a difference between a restaurant (where there's waiter service) or a pub (where you don't have to buy food on the way in) and a cafe or tea room at a visitor attraction or department store where you have to queue, buy food, then sit down.

In those cases, I think table bagging is queue-jumping, pure and simple. Especially as many people I see do it, do it simply because it is busy and they think they may not get a table otherwise.

jrhnewark · 15-04-2006, 20:09

When you send your kids out to 'book' table, then it's just unfair and silly. If three of you sit down while the fourth of you goes to get the food, that's different.