Starbucks tables - taking a free chair

[Martinus]

Ok, maybe it's me but I have encountered people - usually foreigners - who would attempt to take a seat at my table while there are other free tables, since I am alone and thus apparently would not mind to have someone at my table.

WTF is with that? How rude. 

So this question is aimed at determining whether we have people like this on this board too.

[Martinus]

I used Starbucks as an example of the type of establishment I mean - which is somewhere between McDonald's and a restaurant.

[Caliga]

In America virtually nobody is going to take a free seat at a table with a complete stranger.  I think here we'd assume such a person was mentally ill.  My understanding is that in some countries, people do that all the time though and it's cool.

[Martinus]

In America virtually nobody is going to take a free seat at a table with a complete stranger.  I think here we'd assume such a person was mentally ill.  My understanding is that in some countries, people do that all the time though and it's cool.

Another proof that Poland is like America.

We are religious, like individualism and the entrepreneurial spirit, tend towards mild libertarianism, distrust the government and dislike strangers.

[syk]

People usually wouldn't sit down at an occupied table here either. Maybe if the place was full and there are only free chairs at occupied tables.

[Caliga]

We are religious, like individualism and the entrepreneurial spirit, tend towards mild libertarianism, distrust the government and dislike strangers.

Interesting.  One thing we do not do in America, however, is put screen doors on submarines. 

[Martinus]

We are religious, like individualism and the entrepreneurial spirit, tend towards mild libertarianism, distrust the government and dislike strangers.

Interesting.  One thing we do not do in America, however, is put screen doors on submarines. 

But you lynch the blacks.

[CountDeMoney]

People who hang out at tables in coffee shops are attention whores anyway, so fuck 'em.

[The Brain]

Only the insane choose an occupied table over an unoccupied one.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Weird behaviour by English standards too. What nationality are these foreigners you mention?

[Martinus]

Not sure. The guy looks Scandinavian to me. He is about 50-60, with a laptop and looks like some crazy hippy backpacker person.

[The Brain]

He's probably gay.

[Martinus]

He's probably gay.

Think he was hitting on me? Well, that would explain it.

[The Brain]

He's probably gay.

Think he was hitting on me? Well, that would explain it.

Told you he was insane.

[jimmy olsen]

In America virtually nobody is going to take a free seat at a table with a complete stranger.  I think here we'd assume such a person was mentally ill.  My understanding is that in some countries, people do that all the time though and it's cool.

Well, if there were no unoccupied tables, I would, but I would ask the person already at the table if I they minded first.