Poolside Etiquette?

[LJD2143]

Last week during our 8-day stay at the Poly, our family of 5 took a break each afternoon for a swim. The volcano pool was typically pretty busy, but never so much that we couldn't find a table.
On one of the busiest days we found an empty table with 4 chairs - on the table were 2-3 clean white pool towels. I sat down at the table with all of our belongings (incl tote bag, kids crocs, refillable mugs etc) while my 3 DS went swimming and DH grabbed us lunch at Capt Cooks. DH brought back drinks and silverware on a tray before heading back to Capt Cooks to pick up our completed food order. While he was gone, which was now approximately 20 minutes later, a woman with 2 children walked up to the table and told us (me and DS9) that we were sitting at her table. She went on and on, ranting and raving that this was her table, she was sitting here for an hour but then she had to get her kids something to eat.
I was incredulous! I asked her what would have indicated that this was her table? There were no personal belongings at the table and we had now been sitting there for over 20 minutes. All she could say was that she left the towels (the white Polynesian pool towels, mind you) and that I was being unfair. At this point my husband arrived with our food and she finally walked away. But a few minutes later she returned, still demanding that we took HER table. Although she did not use any profanity, she was very relentless and demanding.

So what is your opinion on this subject? Does leaving resort pool towels on a poolside table indicate that it is "saved"? Would you have given her the table?

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

People always leave towels around, I would have taken the table and moved the towels. I would have done exactly what you did.

 

[Dictator]

When I was at the BWV a few weeks ago, they had signs stating that you cannot "save" a seat by placing towels on them...or somethingt o that effect.

 

[goofy4tink]

That's why we bring our own beach towels. If we have to leave the pool area for food, then we leave our big, bright beach towels there, as well as a book. While in the pool, we leave our shoes there as well.
There are always pool towels left around. And, not to call that ranting woman a liar, but...I would imagine that she left those towels there earlier in the day, in order to 'save' her table when she felt like returning. And that, is a big no-no. If they had just gone to get food, then they should've left some personal items behind.
Nope, you were right, she was wrong. In fact, a lifeguard at BW told us that they make periodic sweeps of the pool area and remove towels that are just sitting/lying there on tables/chairs.

 

[3for Me]

I think YOU were right.

If we have to leave a table or loungers for a few minutes I have always left crocs and/or t-shirts, etc. I also do not leave for long periods of time, especially if it looks like others may need the chairs and tables.

 

[Tomader]

I hate to say but I believe it was her table. I know that when I go down to the pool and start looking for chairs or a table if I see towels white or any other color I won't sit there. People sometimes grab the towels at the pool and put them down and head over to the pool or get something to eat. I guess people assume that they have saved the spot. For me I would have felt a little bad. I might have gotten up? Again, I guess I probably would not have been sitting there in the first place but it's not the end of the world.

 

[LJD2143]

If we have to leave a table or loungers for a few minutes I have always left crocs and/or t-shirts, etc.

That was my thought exactly! White resort pool towels are left behind constantly. Since they are the property of the hotel, how in the world could they indicate the "possession" of any one specific guest?


I was also pretty sure that if we had to get a lifeguard involved, he would have sided with us. I think in general throughout the resorts and parks, that Disney does not permit "saving" seats, tables, places in line, etc.....

 

[LoriZH]

I say you had EVERY right to take the table, too bad too sad for her. There are always pool towels hanging around that people are too lazy to put in the bin, how were you to know? If there were some personal belongings then that would have been a different story. I mean how is anyone to know that they didn't drop pool towels there and then went to find a better spot, found it and never came back?? You were right, she was wrong, she should have let it go, she should have just asked you if you wouldn't mind giving up the table when you were done with your lunch so that she could sit there with her kids to have lunch, but whatever, I certainly wouldn't stress over it.

Hope you had a GREAT time!!

 

[Bushman]

Yep, you were right. This garbage about saving and reserving tables and spots on vacations has been going on for too long, and I'm glad to see the resorts are starting to do something about it.

I guess if this person had continued, that's when you tell her to get a resort employee involved to clear the matter up. 99 times out of 100, the person will just walk away because they don't really have a leg to stand on.

Good for you for standing up to who I call "pool bullies."

 

[RJD]

I guess I'm in the minority but if there's anything on a table/chair at the pool, towels clean or unclean, belongs to the Poly or not, I assume someone's sitting there.

 

[Mayl]

pretty clear it was the first person's table and you should have just moved when she returned.

Granted, I would have spread my towels over each of the chairs, but if you saw clean towels there and someone came back after their swim, you need to move along

At the end of the day, not a big deal though. Not something I would post a question about or such. Just pick up, move along and don't worry about it..

 

[10_Kyle_10]

I guess I'm in the minority but if there's anything on a table/chair at the pool, towels clean or unclean, belongs to the Poly or not, I assume someone's sitting there.

Im with you...Sorry it was her table. Im curious, would you use the clean towels on the table? My guess is no because they weren't yours. So clearly the table was someones.

 

[LeahA]

I was extremely suprised at POLY to see how many towels were laying everywhere with no people in sight. We sat in our chairs on the beach and it seemed that every chair had a towel in it. I'm sorry, I don't think a plain white resort towel saves your seat. I think you need to leave your flip-flops, sun glasses, t shirt or a book to indicate someone is sitting there. Obviously not everything I just mentioned just 1 of them would indicate to someone that the chair is definitely being used. I think the POLY should have someone going through more often and picking up towels.

 

[declansdad]

I'm in the "you did the right thing" crowd. If she wanted to keep the table she should have left something or someone there to clearly mark it as hers. Towels from the Poly sitting on a table don't cut it.

 

[RJD]

Im with you...Sorry it was her table. Im curious, would you use the clean towels on the table? My guess is no because they weren't yours. So clearly the table was someones.

Sorry--off topic--but besides agreeing on this subject, looks like we have something else in common---GO SOX!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I also agree you did nothing wrong. I am sure if you did not sit down at the table someone else would have, so it was a matter of time before that would have happended.

 

[LilyWDW]

I think you did fine...

 

[10_Kyle_10]

No one has really responded to what I asked...Would anyone use those towels on the table?

 

[magicmouse2]

Difficult one. If I had food an needed to eat and there were no personal belongings I might have tok the table too. Had there been anything indicating it was being used I would not have taken it. Resort towels could have been left there. But if she left the area to get the kids food she must have taken the kids with her too thus leaving the whole pool vicinity with her family. I would say on that occassion you didnt do anything wrong.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

No one has really responded to what I asked...Would anyone use those towels on the table?

I personally would not because if I saw towels on the tables at Captin Cook's, that would look very strange.