The World Does Not Revolve Around You!

This is somewhat related to the previous post and somewhat to other posts when I grumble about other people's behaviour.

I'd like to think I'm a fairly public spirited sort of lass.  Whilst not naturally outgoing, I try and ensure my interactions with people are pleasant, tolerant and maybe even friendly (actually, you might not be able to tell I'm being friendly, you need to set your bar a little higher for me).

I've mentioned before our dislike of tables being booked in pubs.  It's not that I don't understand it - but I believe it can totally disrupt the nature of a good pub.  If you don't allow booking of tables, but you make sure your furniture lends itself to multiple configurations you offer the chance to pack a place a little bit tighter and it encourages people to share their table with strangers.

Anyhow.

As is our wont on Friday arriving at the Bristol digs late in the afternoon, all we really want to do is stroll around to the Barleymow, grab a couple of good pints and have dinner brought to us (shopping is being delivered next day and the only food shop near the flat is a pretty dire Tesco Express).

When we arrived it wasn't very busy but three tables had been booked.  One from 4.30pm, one from 7pm and the third from 7.30.
The 4.30 table was empty...but it was already 4.45.  "It's for the Bristol Hoppers Group" says Harry.  This is a paid-for event where a group of folk are taken for a walk and a drink in various pubs.

We sat at a larger table which was booked from 7pm - we guessed another table would come free before we wanted to eat and so this didn't stress (or even annoy) us at all.

We looked over to the third booked table (booked from 7.30) which is a table which can easily sit six but it was currently occupied by just two people who spread themselves out in a most un-community-minded manner.  We tutted sotto voce.

At about 6.15 a smaller table adjacent to ours emptied and we quickly grabbed it. Another group had grabbed the 7.30 table when the "spreaders" departed but they fretted a bit about the booked table.

We ordered some food and another pint.

By 7.30 - the 7pm table was still stubbornly empty and even 10 minutes or so later the 7.30 table was empty (the squatters having moved to another table which became free).  Another couple slunk to the empty table and sat at the end looking guilty. 

In the end both tables were filled by just before 8pm by their respective bookers. I don't know whether the "Hoppers" ever appeared.

On Saturday we went to the Three Tuns.  This is an odd pub which never really feels quite satisfactory and this feeling was amplified by the presence of garish "tablecloths" on the tables (WTF?) presumably to complement the TexMex offering.

Again there were three tables booked (this time all in one name) which took up more than 3/4s of the table seating.  We couldn't decide whether to order food or not but, in the long run decided not.  As we left at 7.15pm we noticed that the booked tables had been booked for 6pm.

I get miffed because a booked table might mean I can't sit down (this means I drink quicker...) but my concern is much more for the business.  When you don't turn up, or you turn up late for your table it might well affect their business.  It can put off other customers from staying and can make a pub feel sterile and unwelcoming.  For goodness sake, if you book a table, have the decency to arrive on time.

And while I'm about it - if you're sitting near the bar, or if you have to pass the bar on your way out take your bloody glasses back!  All it takes is a little bit of consideration for your fellow humans.