fcuklp

I will be carrrying a medium size backpack everyday and everywhere with me.
I wonder if it is rude to take into a cafe and leave it on a seat or must I leave it on the floor ?
In Hong Kong, I usually have to leave it on the floor near me as tables are shared or chairs are limited.
How is it in Europe ?

WillTravel

I think you will be able to figure this out as you go. Some places will be crowded, and it would be uncomfortable to take a whole seat up for your backpack, and in other cases it won't be a problem because the place is nearly empty.

walkinaround

>>>>>
How is it in Europe ?
>>>>>

not only does it depend highly on the restaurant as Will says but europe is a big place and norms for sharing tables, etc will vary greatly. for example, in germany, sharing tables is very common but some other places it's just not done. generally in europe (just as everywhere) it is not uncommon for people to be eating with a large amount of stuff (luggage, rucksacks, shopping bags, etc). don't worry it will be accommodated somehow.

altamiro

>In Hong Kong, I usually have to leave it on the floor near me as tables are shared or chairs are limited.
How is it in Europe ?

First: Europeans travel too, and this may include having luggage with you.
Secondly, "in Europe" is as abstract as "in Asia". What goes in Hongkong may be absolutely rude in Indonesia or Japan or Thailand and vice versa...

Echnaton

Of course, you can leave it on the seat. Just use common sense.

Ackislander

Depending on where you are and what is in the bag, you may not want to leave it on a seat near the edge of terrace or other outdoor place.

It is quite common for items to be lifted from such spots either surreptitiously (you don't know it is gone until it is gone) or brazenly (he hops off the back of a motorbike, makes the grab, and takes off before you can get to him).

A well-dressed couple was lifting purses surreptitiously from nice restaurants in Boston's Back Bay several years ago. They were professionals.

If your bag looks student-scruffy I would guess you were less likely to have issues than if it obviously contained valuables like a laptop, ipod, or camera gear.

StCirq

I wouldn't ever park my backpack, or any other bag, on a seat in a café or restaurant, anywhere in the world. Seats are supposed to be for customers, they're not luggage storage. Also, it's too easily stolen if it's not somehow attached to you. I always put my bag under the table, with a strap either wrapped around my leg or a chair leg.

That said, as noted, there's no "in Europe" generalities, and you should be able to size up the situation in any given eating place by using common sense.

nytraveler

Will obviously depend on the place. If it's empty and you are sitting outdoors you can try to keep it next to you.

If the place is crowded or the weather bad you obviously can;t lug a huge and possibly wet object on a seat or blocking the floor - it would have to go into the check room.

Suggest it is much better to store this rather than try to haul it around all day - since many museums and sights will also require you to check it.

Christina

I put things on the seat next to me in a cafe if I"m sitting in an area where that seat isn't exposed that much to people walking by. I can't imagine what kind of person would do that if the place was crowded and people needed seats. Isn't this common sense,you can't take up a seat with a backpack if people need to sit down. If someone wants your chair, they will ask you, most likely if you don't notice someone wants it. Tables are at a premium, though, so if all the tables are taken up and there is no more room for people, someone shouldn't want the extra chair at your table. It would be very rare for someone to insist they sit at your small cafe table when they didn't know you. It has never happened to me, although a larger table if the place is full -- sure, or I will ask someone if they want to sit with me.

avalon

What do you need to carry with you that requires a backpack of that size?

fcuklp

Thank you for all your replies.

avalon,

Mine is a daily use backpack for my camera, guidebooks, maps, notes, some shopping maybe, sweater, etc.

I guess it's ok as long as no one is stoping me

walkinaround

>>>>>
It would be very rare for someone to insist they sit at your small cafe table when they didn't know you.
>>>>>

not rare at all...depending on where you are. this would be very rare, in for example, britain. but in many countries if this is the only place left, the restaurant will seat someone with you. i don't know what 'insist' has to do with anything...if it's self seating (in a 'table sharing' country), someone will ask if the seat is free -- common sense -- and you won't be expected to have a problem with this in a table sharing country. nobody insists anything...this is a bizarre way of looking at human interaction. whether or not a society shares tables as the norm is cultural and has to do with whether society is individualistic or collective in nature.

this is all interesting but i agree that the OP just needs to use old fashioned common sense.

fcuklp

Thanks walkinaround.

This is my first trip to Europe. I guess I felt too tense and a bit worried over such things. With at least 2 or 3 meals a day, I don't want to be a nuisance to others.