What's the etiquette for getting someone out of your seat?

[Jennie]

I was in a rather crowded cafe. I was drinking something from a glass and I had put my coat and bag near my chair. I went to the toilet leaving my coat, my half-finished drink and my empty bottle on the table near my seat. When I came back from the toilet there was a man sitting in my seat. I said "Hello" and he said "Hello" back, without moving. I took my drink and moved it to the next space on the table, moved my coat and bag, and sat down in another, nearby seat. But I wanted my original seat, and I feel the man should have acknowledged his mistake, apologised and gone away.

I don't possess a gun and nothing else seems appropriate. What is the correct etiquette for getting someone to give me my seat back?

[so - ? - fishy]

was it just some random man, or was he a part of your party?

If he were part of my party, then I think the thing you did was right, it's ok. He was being rude and oblivious though. Gosh I would've hit him upside the head.

Hmm not in your party? I would've cheerfully said something like "oops! I think you're in my seat." And maybe helpfully point him to another chair. If he persisted in being obtuse and looked at you like you were some thing to be looked at, then you promptly lift up the chair and dump him out of it. Or if you physically can't, just sit in his lap.

I mean, in that case he deserves it. HAHAHA. (I would actually never do this but it would be funny)

[Mercedes]

You did what you should have done. Some people just aren't polite. But the majority of people would have said, "Oh, was this your seat?" and you would have handled it from there. I would hope that you, in no way, felt this was a situtation that would call for the use of a 'gun'! Mercy! it was only a seat! Get control of your anger and let the smaller things go! There are worse things than having your seat taken from you.

[aida]

It would certainly be more than OK to say, "Excuse me, but I was sitting there," but I would probably just have given the man a funny look as I picked up my things from in front of him and moved them. Yes, that man SHOULD have should have acknowledged his mistake, apologised and gone away, but he MIGHT have said something like "Well, I'M sitting here now, so what are you gonna do about it?" Then what?

[Hank H]

You should've said excuse me i was sitting there, that's my half-assed drink, and coat there, and then if he don't move, you say, can i get you to stand up for a minute, and then pull the chair out, and then when he hits the floor, say, never mind i thought i dropped some mashed potatoes on that seat