Don’t Give Him A Seat At Your Table
Australia, Cafe, Jerk, Strangers | Right | October 5, 2021
It’s a rainy day, so the mother’s group I meet with weekly has decided to visit a relaxed beachside cafe. We choose one that has plenty of space and is child-appropriate. When we arrive, there is only one other table of two seated so there are dozens of empty tables and chairs to choose from. We choose a more casual setting of two couches near the fireplace and get the kids seated with colouring-in books.
Everyone has a place to sit except me, so I grab a chair from a nearby table and sit it next to the end of the couch where my daughter is sitting. We’ve spoken with a waitress who has taken our drinks order, and all appears to be well.
Suddenly, a man — who I previously had not noticed, I’m not even sure where he came from — approaches me and proceeds to very angrily tell me off about moving the chair I’m sitting on. I first wonder if he works there but quickly realise from his wording that he doesn’t — referring to the restaurant staff as “they” instead of “we,” for example.
Man: “You moved that chair away from its table! The chairs are for paying customers!”
I’m trying to be polite even though he’s in my face, but I finally lose my patience.
Me: *Firmly* “I am a paying customer, so I also deserve to sit somewhere.”
All the while, I’m incredulously looking around me at the twenty or so empty tables. He eventually leaves and a waitress approaches to see what is happening.
Me: “Is it okay that I moved this chair?”
Waitress
#1 : *Looking rather confused* “Of course.”
I am still buzzing from the adrenaline that came from the confrontation for most of the meal.
When we finish and pay at the register, a different waitress asks us what happened, and I explain.
Waitress
#2 : “That man is a regular. He always acts like he owns the place and bullies other patrons.”
I hope they managed to get control of the situation, because it really soured what was usually the highlight of my week as a struggling mum.