What's your table number?

I hate that! You walk into a pub, go and ask for something to eat, and as a reflex the person behind the bar says "What's your table number?" No pause, nothing - just that request.

When you say you dont know, or that one over there, or even "I dont know, can you pour my drinks while I go and find out?" The reply is "I need a table number"

I understand that for a pub to serve cheap food quickly this process really helps, but couldnt the programmers allow the staff member the freedom to take the order, pour the drinks or something while you get the number?

Otherwise you look behind you, a local is glowering because you dont know the system that pub uses.

But why should you? Cant pubs go some of the way to make it easier for customers?

Isnt it much better when the (usually) local pub says "dont worry, we'll find you."

I wonder how a workable system (for the pub) can be made as friendly as that for the customer.