'Would it be a bad move?': Cafe patrons share 'disgusting' trend across cafes

The local café scene is a cherished part of Australian culture.

Everyone loves the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans, the warm greetings from baristas, and the scrumptious food that often accompanies lengthy conversations.

However, a recent trend brewed some discontent among avid café-goers.


It seems that a 'pawsome' problem is at the heart of the issue: dogs in cafés.

While pets are seen as part of the family, their presence in eateries has caused quite a stir online.

An anonymous woman shared her thoughts about bringing pets inside cafés and eateries.


compressed-pexels-cafe dog.jpeg
Cafés often have dedicated seating for guests with pets. Image Credit: Pexels/Cesar Mendez


'Where I live, there is a really nice and popular café with an outdoor seating area,' she wrote in a post online.

'There is a sign on the door saying to please keep dogs outside, but a lot of people ignore it and bring their pooches inside while waiting for takeaway coffee.'

'Would it be a bad move to ask the staff to enforce the dog policy?' she asked.


The woman's question garnered various responses from fellow café-goers and animal lovers.

Many rallied behind the woman, expressing their distaste for dogs in dining areas.

'I would appreciate it if you do that. My Dad brings bags of dog food to a local cafe and feeds his dogs on the tables. It's f****** disgusting,' one comment read.

'Speak to the customers ignoring the sign yourself, save the poor barista that's probably under pressure,' another suggested.

On the flip side, some argued that while the dog owners were flouting the rules, confronting them would be futile.

'It's really the staff deciding to pick their battles a lot of the time,' one commenter reasoned.

'I'm not a fan, but truthfully, if they're waiting for a takeaway coffee, it's not likely to be long,' another argued.


The debate did not stop at the café door; It spilt over into a broader discussion about allowing pets in cafés in general.

Critics of the canine companions cited several concerns about pets inside the premises.

'They stink, they p***, and can bother other patrons such as the elderly, infants or children,' one comment shared.

'Eat with your dog all you want, but I don't want to be forced to eat with your dog as well,' another stated.

However, others defended their right to dine with their pets.

'I don't get the unhygienic argument. Humans have been living and eating with and near dogs forever, and we are doing okay,' a comment read.

Ultimately, many agreed that the suitability of dogs in cafés should come down to the individual animal's behaviour.

Well-behaved dogs were generally acceptable, while those prone to barking or causing a ruckus were not welcome.
Key Takeaways

  • A debate recently emerged over allowing dogs inside cafés.
  • A woman shared her concern online about customers ignoring a local café's policy requesting dogs to remain outside.
  • Opinions about the woman's concern ranged from support for enforcing policies to arguments suggesting dealing with the issue is not worth the hassle.
  • While some found the presence of dogs in dining areas unhygienic and disruptive, others defend their inclusion as it could also depend on the dog's behaviour.
Have you encountered dogs in cafés? If so, how did it affect your experience? Do you think there should be stricter enforcement of pet policies, or should we learn to live and let live? Share your stories, thoughts and opinions about this debate in the comments below!
 

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I am a dog lover with 2 small dogs which love to go out in the car. However, if I intend going to my local cafe for a coffee then they either stay at home or we sit in the outdoor area where they are away from other customers. The only problem with this is, if I am on my own, there is no way I can order that coffee I so long for as I have to go to the counter inside to order. And, in summer, there is no way I can leave them in the car while I have my coffee. They would be dead when I got back to them with the temps we have out here in summer.
The business owner could help in solving this problem if their staff would come out & take my order & payment. This used to be the service we got in cafes but not any more. Everyone, whether they sit inside or out, has to go to the counter to order & pay. Before covid, we had waitresses come to the tables to take our order. Still the same number of staff so no real reason why they couldn't serve their customers in this way.
 
I like dogs but I are very weary of someone elses dog so if a cafe has got any dogs there and I have to walk passed them I wouldn't go in. over the years I have had dogs and some loved the car one of the others didn't and I think there is a time and a place for us all
 
We here in Western Australia have some lovely dog-welcome eateries. Most, if not all, are outside seating when your dog accompanies you. We regularly attend a wonderful place called The Surfing Lizard in Coogee. Yes, we take our 8-month-old King Charles Cavalier with us. He enjoys the additional company and attention of the many patrons, as well as the other canines. There are quite a few dogs that regularly attend there. The menu includes meals, snacks and drinks for our furry friends. The restaurant is absolutely full of diners during the warmer months, as it is attached to a surf lifesaving establishment. 90% of the dining area is outside. The other 10% is not really inside but surrounded by weather curtains. As yet I have not seen dogs inside of those curtained areas. We have been patrons there for quite a few years now, and when we invested in a pet, we decided that he would go with us to all places that accept them. Ironically, prior to being a pet owner, I was "on-the-fence" about their company in eateries. I now not only tolerate, but fully accept them, so long as they are well-behaved and toilet trained. They are accepted as "Mans'-Best-Friend", so let us treat them so.
 
The law is really unclear about this. Firstly they say that dogs can only be in outdoor eating areas, then they say it is ultimately up to the business involved. Of course there are different rules for service animals, but even these must behave.
The only service animals are the one trained for the blind, not for some weak minded idiot, who has lost their sense on reality? ( Or to put it bluntly lost their F**king mind)
 
How do our European citizens cope? Dogs are allowed everywhere, as they should be. Dogs make less mess and noise than the majority of children. Doting parents seem quite content to let children hassle other patrons as long as they can have a peaceful time with their friends and enjoy their coffee. Lets follow the European example
 
I am a dog lover with 2 small dogs which love to go out in the car. However, if I intend going to my local cafe for a coffee then they either stay at home or we sit in the outdoor area where they are away from other customers. The only problem with this is, if I am on my own, there is no way I can order that coffee I so long for as I have to go to the counter inside to order. And, in summer, there is no way I can leave them in the car while I have my coffee. They would be dead when I got back to them with the temps we have out here in summer.
The business owner could help in solving this problem if their staff would come out & take my order & payment. This used to be the service we got in cafes but not any more. Everyone, whether they sit inside or out, has to go to the counter to order & pay. Before covid, we had waitresses come to the tables to take our order. Still the same number of staff so no real reason why they couldn't serve their customers in this way.
You could easily solve your problem regarding going out for a coffee....LEAVE YOUR DOGS AT HOME....simples.;)
 
We here in Western Australia have some lovely dog-welcome eateries. Most, if not all, are outside seating when your dog accompanies you. We regularly attend a wonderful place called The Surfing Lizard in Coogee. Yes, we take our 8-month-old King Charles Cavalier with us. He enjoys the additional company and attention of the many patrons, as well as the other canines. There are quite a few dogs that regularly attend there. The menu includes meals, snacks and drinks for our furry friends. The restaurant is absolutely full of diners during the warmer months, as it is attached to a surf lifesaving establishment. 90% of the dining area is outside. The other 10% is not really inside but surrounded by weather curtains. As yet I have not seen dogs inside of those curtained areas. We have been patrons there for quite a few years now, and when we invested in a pet, we decided that he would go with us to all places that accept them. Ironically, prior to being a pet owner, I was "on-the-fence" about their company in eateries. I now not only tolerate, but fully accept them, so long as they are well-behaved and toilet trained. They are accepted as "Mans'-Best-Friend", so let us treat them so.
did you get a pet so you could parade it around? they are home company and nothing else. you may be sloppy over your pet and others are angry. keep your bloody pets at home where you intended them to be.
 

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