table poaching
The act of patrons staking out and claiming a table in a "seat yourself" lounge/restaurant before staff is given a fair chance to buss it off or previous customers leave. This usually happens during a dinner-rush.
This results in the server becoming annoyed and having to awkwardly reach over and make "small talk" with customers as they wipe off the previous mess.
This results in the server becoming annoyed and having to awkwardly reach over and make "small talk" with customers as they wipe off the previous mess.
Server 1: " My table is just about to leave, they're getting their coats on. I just have to ring-up a Mastercard, and I can clear it off..."
Server 2: "Too late. Check out the dude at the entrance. Definitely table poaching. He's making a bee-line to 106. Aaaaand, yup, he just asked your table if he could sit there."
Server 2: "Too late. Check out the dude at the entrance. Definitely table poaching. He's making a bee-line to 106. Aaaaand, yup, he just asked your table if he could sit there."