When someone takes your seat despite it being obvious you already occupy that space

Doesn't anyone hate it when you quickly leave your seat for a minute to get something, and your still within eyesight of your seat and someone takes it? It is one thing to not have belongings there and they just don't realize it. That happens. What annoys me though is when you have something there on your seat or right in front of your seat on a table and someone takes it anyway. And when you return, they act like they had no idea someone was sitting there, even though your belongings were right there.

It doesn't happen to me all the time, but I find it somewhat annoying when it does. Like, I'll be working on something at a table and quickly get up to get like tape or scissors and someone else just sits there and just starts talking to someone else. And I'll go move my belongings and they'll ask if I was sitting there. Like, maybe it's just me, but I think it is a dumb question. Of course someone was there, the person's belongings are right there.

Even my coworkers do that. I'll be working on something, get up to get something and one of them will just sit where I was at and act like they had no idea I was sitting there, despite having all my belongings right there. Don't really understand why some people do that. Do people really not realize that someone else alreadh occupies that space or are they just embarrassed or just being rude? I've always wondered that. What do you think? Do you find it annoying? Just wondered what your thoughts were.

Like I mentioned, it's one thing if you have nothing on you and someone sincerely had no idea you were sitting there. But it is a completely different scenario when someone takes your space even though it is so obvious that it is already taken. I know it is a small thing and I don't worry about it. It is just an observation I've made and makes me wonder why people do that. When people, like my coworkers, so that, I am thinking, um, no kidding, I have all my stuff right there. Any ideas on why some people do that? Just wondered

Yes, I certainly agree it can be quite rude. In some instances, some people may simply be inattentive, but this too poses quite the predicament, seeing that it can result in one impetuously harming or inconveniencing others. In my personal experience, this is less common for me. However, I do have somewhat of a curse of people cutting in lines in front of me, whether they intend to or not-- equally as disrespectful in my opinion.

i see your point and especially when you are standing in line gets to me too.

I always say to the closest person nearby, "I just have to step away, can you watch my seat?"

This happened to me at lunch in the employee break room just the other day. I put my lunch tote down on the table and actually pulled out my sandwich container and drink to make sure it was obvious someone was sitting there. I went to wash my hands and lo and behold there was a late 20-something male sitting in my seat. He had turned my chair sideways to talk with people at the table behind that spot. I thought about just moving my things to another table but inside I said, "Hell no, I'm not making an exception for his unawareness!!"

I stood behind him, directly in front of my lunch tote (that's how far he had moved "my" chair"), and the others could see me but he could not. I stared at the back of his head while he chattered on and glanced at the others periodically. They kept looking from me to him while he told his story. I hung in there because I don't like "confrontation" and really wanted to back down. Finally, he realized they kept staring behind him so he looked around. Once he was looking at me I said, "I don't mind you being here but couldn't you get me another chair since you took the one in front of my lunch here while I washed my hands?" Man, he popped up and gave back my chair, profusely apologizing, saying he didn't notice anyone was sitting there. I'm certain he did, indeed, not notice, he's that type...young, self absorbed but otherwise an ok person. He just has "lessons" to learn and as I look back on it now, I'm glad I obliged!

I was proud that I put my foot down with myself and not take the path of least resistance and meekly move. I called him out on his blunder in a polite but "I'm not kidding" tone of voice and it was liberating.

I'm one of the oldest employees where I work and I get a lot of politeness and respect because of that but I'm also very nice and respectful to and of others and it does pay off! I say that because it's harder for others to be downright rude to you, especially in front of others, if you're a decent coworker and don't deserve being disrespected. Of course, who does, right?

The moral of the story? Make yourself your own advocate and don't cave in!

I hate it when this happens because I feel like they just plain ignore me, and the fact that they "don't notice" is frustrating because I was raised to always be the one who has to pay attention and notice everything. So I'm also angry because I'm realising that the people who took my seat are "allowed" to be relaxed about life while I can't. Also then I feel guilty because I'm angry and "so serious about it" and just become passive-aggressive...

Have the "guidelines" changed? I thought leaving belongings in a seat said "this belongs to me." Are younger people not thinking so? Yes, I think it's best to ask someone to monitor it for you. To even say for you, "sorry, but this seat is saved." I would speak up--at least now that I'm older and bolder. It could depend on how crowded a place is, I guess--but really. How rude!

(Trav is a 62-year-old little lady)

They do it to get you going

I accept that if I leave my seat (like in a public place such as a bus or park)....it's up for grabs as soon as I vacate it. So I have an inner debate of is it worth leaving the seat to go do a task such as a potty break, or should I just endure the discomfort so that I don't lose my seat. Usually the bathroom run wins (which it is run because I didn't want to get up and lose my seat in the first place.) And nobody leaves their stuff on a seat to save it in a public place or it will get stolen.

As far as an office work space.....I'd just say "sorry I've been working here with my stuff and had to run a quick errand...thanks for watching my stuff, now may I have my seat back..." .