So my wife and I were at a major retailer bookstore last weekend. She and I were sitting in some chairs perusing a book or two - it was quite busy as it was a rainy weekend. I got done looking at my book and wandered off to find something else to look at. About ten minutes later I notice another seat in the 4 chair circle is open so I grab something and head back.

When I got to the seat there were four books in the chair (all three other seats were taken). I leaned over to pick up the books and my wife says “hey I think the guy sitting there was saving the seat”, but I was like meh whatevs, no one pays to sit here so I picked up the books and set them on the table and sat down.

Within 30 seconds the guy (we’ll call him book guy or bg) shows up and the following conversation ensues:

BG: hey man I was sitting there. Me: I’m sorry, I’m pretty sure these seats are public use. When I got up earlier someone else sat where I was and I waited for another seat to open. BG: (becoming irate) but I set my books on the chair! Me: you mean (insert store name here)’s books? BG: yeah but I picked them out Me: okay I’m pretty sure putting other people’s stuff on other people’s stuff doesn’t make that now your stuff BG: you clearly don’t understand, asshole Me: I mean, I understand I just don’t care

Anyway, I feel like I was being pricking but come to find out my wife and another woman sitting there said after he had been gone for like 10 minutes and a few other people had been turned away by the books. I just thought his expecting to save the seat was ridiculous and probably was more confrontational than I should have been.

What do y’all think, AITA?