Family gets called out by locals for 'reserving' public picnic table at the popular city beach

Making reservations at popular venues can be tricky due to high demand, complex booking systems, and limited availability. But a Sydney family likely didn’t expect their attempt to reserve a picnic table at a public beach to spark an online debate. Locals in Harbour City were outraged after a note on a table at Balmoral Beach claimed it was “reserved” for August 31 from 1:00 pm. The incident, reported by News.com.au, happened on a busy weekend.

Beachgoers were outraged when a woman posted a picture of the note in a local private Facebook group called Mosman Living. The handwritten note, as shown in the image, was taped to the picnic bench during a mildly hot afternoon. The message written on it, “Reserved 31/8 from 1 pm,” sparked massive outrage on social media, with many people terming it a classic case of “entitlement,” according to 7 News.

The purpose of the reservation was not stated in the sign. However, the woman who originally posted about it was left surprised. “Really? Love to know where you place the official booking. Both tables 'reserved,’” she wrote while sharing the picture, which reportedly went viral on social media, per DailyMail. As per reports, a local governing body in the area named Mosman Council does not permit anyone to reserve tables at one of the most attractive family beaches in Australia. A spokesperson for the council stated the same to Sky News days after the incident. “Council does not take bookings for picnic tables or promote reserving them,” they said.

Meanwhile, visitors flocked to the beach alongside Port Jackson Bay on the weekend to enjoy the summer. The sign led to frustration among locals at Balmoral, as it was sighted on the same day when temperatures across Harbour City soared to 25°C. Moreover, it is difficult to get picnic tables during this time of year due to the huge demand from families who travel long distances to visit the famous seaside spot.

The local community expressed their anger against the unidentified family’s move. A resident named ‘Jimbo,’ featured on a local radio program ‘2GB’ anchored by Ben Fordham, was reportedly left “wounded” by the act. “This is supposed to be a public park in Sydney. Imagine you stroll up to a park, you’re expecting to enjoy the democratic pleasure of a picnic on one of the taxpayer-funded tables, and you get there, and there’s this sign,” BoredPanda quoted Jimbo as saying.

Additionally, many locals took to social media to share their disbelief after they learned about the sign. Among them, @Capt_Marsupial wrote on micro-blogging platform X, “The once-great Sydney has become such a rat race.” @mamma_mia111 remarked, “When they own it, they can reserve it… until then, they’re just squatters.” Others demanded to rip off the sign and not take it seriously. “Just take them off and use the table, and if someone comes by to complain, it's easy enough to come up with a creative recommendation as to where they may shove their sign,” added @MagpieStatesman. There has been no action taken against the family as of yet by the law enforcement agencies.