[meric]

Maybe he was alone, he went to buy a drink and came back to find his seat taken? I wouldn't be too surprised if leaving your jacket to claim a seat is a common practice among older generations. If I imagine the setting to be 50's/60's, and watched it in a movie, it would seem you were the assholes. At least offer him a space in the table to join you. Alas, this is the modern times, so my critique does not apply, it's only a suggestion why the older man might be angry.

[thoman23]

TIL I am part of the "older generation". Kids today don't know to leave a jacket on a chair or movie theater seat to claim your territory?

Regarding the original question, the couple that arrived early should have "claimed" the two empty chairs by placing jackets or some other items on them. Failing that, they should have been alert to the "older" man who put his jacket down on it and immediately stated that the seat was already taken.

[meric]

I agree with you - but I've done that myself and still had my seat taken before, even with my stuff on the table, it only got moved to the corner! I only went to the bathroom and back. I told him to get up, he refused, and I only got it back after insisted he give me 10 minutes to finish my work - and then I gave it back to him (he was with his friends so he didn't want to be humiliated). My description of modern "etiquette" was descriptive, not prescriptive.

P.S. I specified older generation because the parent specified "older man".

[fiblye]

Well, I don't know about the "older generation", but I grew up being taught all throughout life to not leave any of my belongings anywhere unless I want them to get stolen.

Whenever I'm out somewhere with someone else and they set anything down on a table (jacket, hat, notes, wallet, anything) and get up to use the restroom, they say, "Make sure no one takes anything." I say the same.

I'm not sure if this is just a generational thing that follows from "stranger danger" or what.

[ownagefool]

On the other hand, it sucks when you can't get a seat in a half empty venue because everything is 'reserved'. Often myself and my girlfriend can spend a couple of hours somewhere standing, only to leave without these seats ever getting filled.