Food & drinkIntermediate
Finding a seat in a café in English
Everyday English for finding a seat in a café. Key line: “Excuse me, is *anyone* *using* this *chair*?”
Full script
Lin
Excuse me, is anyone using this chair?
Them
Nope, go ahead—my coffee needs less company than I do.
Lin
Thanks! I didn't want to steal someone's spot by accident.
Them
Fair enough. This place gets packed right when I finally sit down.
Lin
Same here—I do one lap, then panic and grab anywhere.
Them
You picked well; this chair doesn't wobble, which feels luxurious here.
Lin
Perfect. If it spills my drink, I'm blaming the table instead.
Them
Deal—if your drink survives, the chair gets full credit.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Ask
✓ Is anyone using this chair?Polite: ask if the chair is free
More natural than "Can I sit?"
Sure
✓ Go ahead.Says yes, please sit
Common when saying yes
Unplanned
✓ by accidentnot on purpose
Use it to show it was not intentional
Crowded
✓ gets packedgets full very quickly
For a place suddenly full of people
Quick answers
Ask: what to say in English
Say “Is anyone using this chair?” — polite: ask if the chair is free. More natural than "Can I sit?".
Sure: what to say in English
Say “Go ahead.” — says yes, please sit. Common when saying yes.
Unplanned: what to say in English
Say “by accident” — not on purpose. Use it to show it was not intentional.
Crowded: what to say in English
Say “gets packed” — gets full very quickly. For a place suddenly full of people.