Cafe Etiquette

honeybear

I am a regular in a local town cafe. It is especially busy atm in the run up to Christmas. Today, as usual, I was enjoying my coffee when a woman (I refuse to call her a lady) came over to me and asked "Are you leaving soon?". I was taken aback as I had only started my coffee and would never think of asking such a question. In fact, I have often left this cafe on arrival as there were no seats available. I think that she was incredibly rude. Am I overreacting?

Yes. You're overreacting.

Next!

Atlantic Dawn

Does she work there?

Clandestine

She just wanted a seat to sit down in, you said it was busy after all

Don't overthink it OP

P. Breathnach

I think whoopsadaisydoodles lives in the same town as OP.

MilesMorales1

People like that need to be shot by firing squad OP.

Del2005

honeybear wrote: »

I am a regular in a local town cafe. It is especially busy atm in the run up to Christmas. Today, as usual, I was enjoying my coffee when a woman (I refuse to call her a lady) came over to me and asked "Are you leaving soon?". I was taken aback as I had only started my coffee and would never think of asking such a question. In fact, I have often left this cafe on arrival as there were no seats available. I think that she was incredibly rude. Am I overreacting?

Tell her yes and sit there for an hour.

hmmm

Were you just in for a quick coffee, or had you plopped your fedora down and were taking out the latest Macbook Air and a Moleskin journal?

libelula

honeybear wrote: »

I am a regular in a local town cafe. It is especially busy atm in the run up to Christmas. Today, as usual, I was enjoying my coffee when a woman (I refuse to call her a lady) came over to me and asked "Are you leaving soon?". I was taken aback as I had only started my coffee and would never think of asking such a question. In fact, I have often left this cafe on arrival as there were no seats available. I think that she was incredibly rude. Am I overreacting?

OH. MY. GOD.
Joe Duffy will be getting a call about this.

lazeedaisy

honeybear wrote: »

I am a regular in a local town cafe. It is especially busy atm in the run up to Christmas. Today, as usual, I was enjoying my coffee when a woman (I refuse to call her a lady) came over to me and asked "Are you leaving soon?". I was taken aback as I had only started my coffee and would never think of asking such a question. In fact, I have often left this cafe on arrival as there were no seats available. I think that she was incredibly rude. Am I overreacting?

Really depends on what you answered back

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

minikin

Were you the driver of her bus?

Bulbous Salutation

Mark out your café territory by slurping your coffee loudly, eating with your mouth open, and farting dramatically.

donegaLroad

she might have been feeling feint or dizzy.. manners go out the window sometimes if your in a panic.

me_irl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gutCFMc5khY

Manach

It does strike me as somewhat rude on that woman's part, relying on OP, in that we all have need of time to unwind in a cafe especially in the madness that is the season of shopping. It might be pardonable if OP was on the point of departure or the woman had a child with her, but if not it seems boorish behaviour.

Dunny

Missed out on yer hole there OP.

Tarzana2

honeybear wrote: »

I am a regular in a local town cafe. It is especially busy atm in the run up to Christmas. Today, as usual, I was enjoying my coffee when a woman (I refuse to call her a lady) came over to me and asked "Are you leaving soon?". I was taken aback as I had only started my coffee and would never think of asking such a question. In fact, I have often left this cafe on arrival as there were no seats available. I think that she was incredibly rude. Am I overreacting?

You're overreacting a bit but I think she could have read things better. Presumably you had a nearly full coffee cup and even if it was a covered takeaway cup, usually you can tell when people are making shapes to get up.

Ruu

Did she ask anyone else in the cafe?

4zn76tysfajdxp

If I was you, OP, I would have gotten up and left. :mad:

Agricola

Have you considered......how can I put this sensitively, BO issues OP? Or maybe you have a quare look about you?

Pac1Man

OP you missed a trick. You're a regular there. She recognises you and has been trying to work up the courage to talk to you.

Christmas cheer is in the air, she saw you alone and finally decided to make a move after 6 months of deliberation. It came out slightly wrong due to nerves and you told her were to go, the poor girl. You need to buy her a 5 foot teddy as an apology.

LeeLooLee

Yes, it's really rude.

Much like the family with 6 kids who sat down at the table next to us in a busyish pub while my sister and I were eating lunch, made a song and dance of there not being enough space, stared at us and loudly remarked to the kids that they could 'spread out to the table next to us once those girls are finished'. :eek: I couldn't believe that they had so obviously tried to bully us into leaving....sense of entitlement off them! If there isn't enough space, you go somewhere else, you don't bully people into moving. We were only halfway through our main course.

Out of badness, we ordered dessert and then coffee...you should have seen the looks on their faces. They clearly thought they 'deserved' the table, having chosen to have so many kids.

KungPao

With God's help I hope you can make it through this, OP.

♥

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Eugene Norman

Amazing number of people not really getting it. Unless some is looking to leave a seat you leave them alone.

Pac1Man

LeeLooLee wrote: »

Out of badness, we ordered dessert and then coffee...you should have seen the looks on their faces.

Maybe they worked there secretly and wanted to boost profits? That look on their faces was their Christmas bonus coming in!

Tarzana2

LeeLooLee wrote: »

Yes, it's really rude.

Much like the family with 6 kids who sat down at the table next to us in a busyish pub while my sister and I were eating lunch, made a song and dance of there not being enough space, stared at us and loudly remarked to the kids that they could 'spread out to the table next to us once those girls are finished'. :eek: I couldn't believe that they had so obviously tried to bully us into leaving....sense of entitlement off them! If there isn't enough space, you go somewhere else, you don't bully people into moving. We were only halfway through our main course.

Out of badness, we ordered dessert and then coffee...you should have seen the looks on their faces. They clearly thought they 'deserved' the table, having chosen to have so many kids.

Being a total fúcking bitch at times, I would have gone further again and locked eyes with the most vocal parent whilst jutting my chin. :pac:

Lone Stone

If that was me i would have been Thrown my coffee in her face and then said I AM NOW BITCH !! **** !!! SUPER SAIYAN MOTHER ****AAAHHH then ran out into one of the many other starbucks which seem to have nothing to do with battle star galactica which i find very sad and disappointing... thee end. bye.

LETHAL LADY

I went on a rare trip to McDonalds this evening, where it's acceptable for everyone to shovel the chips down their throat, while they gorge down a big mac and slurp away on their large cokes like twas going out of fashion . That's the kind of Christmas chaos I like. None of yer fancy cafe smafe stuff for me.